{"product_id":"19th-c-french-bronze-trophy-letter-clip-newcastle-postmaster-george-jamieson-1919-1948","title":"19th C. French Bronze Trophy Letter Clip","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderful piece of Ontario postal history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis heavy cast bronze figural letter clip depicts a classic 19th-century \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003etrophée des arts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — hunting horn, drum, artist brushes and palette, rifle and game birds, tied with ribbon and finished with fruiting foliage at the base. French, circa 1870-1890, with original dark patina and traces of gilt on high points.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUsed from 1919 to 1948 by George Jamieson, Postmaster of Newcastle Village. Newcastle's post office opened in 1845 and had only 10 postmasters in its history until closure in 1991. Jamieson held the position for nearly three decades, through the interwar and WWII years when mail still arrived daily by train.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally a luxury desk fitting, this type of clip sat on a postmaster's counter to hold registered lists, postage due slips, and daily mail bills — the Victorian equivalent of a paperweight and inbox.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eMaterial: Solid cast bronze \/ brass, non-magnetic, heavy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eAge: Circa 1870-1890, used in office \u003ca href=\"about:blank\"\u003e1919-1948\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eForm: Figural letter \/ bill clip, flat back with spring grip\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eCondition: Excellent antique condition. Original patina intact, expected wear, darkening and light gilt loss. No cracks or repairs. Functions as intended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eProvenance: Newcastle Village, Ontario - estate of George Jamieson, postmaster 1919-1948\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blackbird Vintage Finds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68339911885051,"sku":"VINT5020","price":395.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0362\/9645\/8379\/files\/FullSizeRender_2a3bee4a-bf00-4fa6-a97c-adfd3a7aa3c3.heic?v=1792270934","url":"https:\/\/www.blackbirdvintage.com\/products\/19th-c-french-bronze-trophy-letter-clip-newcastle-postmaster-george-jamieson-1919-1948","provider":"Blackbird Vintage Finds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}