William McLaren of Ancorage, Alaska, ventured a guess for our February’s What Is It. William writes, “At first glance, the What Is It? appears to be a painting or a drawing of an American frontiersman of the 1700’s, holding a long-barreled weapon, presumably a Kentucky rifle.  The clothes worn appear appropriate for the period.  I am uncertain of the hat, […]

We had no correct answers for our January What Is It. The object is a 19th Century pharmacy tool — a powder folder used to hold meds in the days before solid tablets. This brass powder folder was listed in an 1874 catalogue. It is a rare device today. Readers, try your luck with the February What Is it. You […]

 We had no correct answers for our December’s What Is It. The object is a miniature carved soap or soapstone placed under a magnifying glass. The man is dressed in a military uniform. When viewed it is amazing to see the details.  This two-part paperweight is a relief of the Duke of Wellington in pinchbeck alloy (an alloy of copper […]

 The November What Is It is an ancient baby-feeding device. Roman terra-cotta bottles, such as the rare Third Century A.D. nurser pictured above have been uncovered, with dried milk inside, at infant burial sites. It may have been the very thing that caused the baby’s death. The mortality rate for bottle-fed children was worse than breast-fed babies.  The reason was […]

 According to Marjorie McLaren of Anchorage, Alaska, October’s What Is It appears to be a Victorian Sewing Bird “Third Hand” with a pincushion.  The metal appears to be embossed brass (and might be a replica as it appears quite shiny).  The bird clamps to a table with the beak facing the sewist.  By pushing down on the tail, the bird’s […]