Cabinet of Curiosity

** ** + Object 1 Answer

A collar case!

Collar boxes or cases were used by men to store their collars in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The detachable collar was invented in 1827, but by the early 1900s collars were once again affixed.

Artifact Number: 1982.11.26a

** ** + Object 2 Answer

A cherry pitter!

A cherry would be placed on the cup and the plunger would be depressed pushing the stone or pit out of the cherry.

Artifact Number: 1977.908.1a

+ Object 4 Answer

Christmas Tree Candle Holders!

These candles holders were used before and even after the invention of the Christmas tree lights (1882). These holders likely date from the early 1900s.

Artifact Number: 1971.518.1

+ Object 5 Answer

A Player Harmonica!

Similar to a player piano, this harmonica has a roll of music inserted and the player blows into a mouth piece while turning the handle on the side to produce music. Our player harmonica is a Rolmonica and dates from the late 1920s.

Artifact Number: 1982.11.19

+ Object 6 Answer

Edison/Cylinder Records!

The Edison or cylinder records and phonograph were invented in the 1870s by Thomas Edison. The records are made of hardened wax and the phonographs were equipped to both play and record.

Artifact Number: 1982.41.107

+ Object 7 Answer

An Atomizer!

Atomizers have multiple uses. One of the most common was to deliver medicine/medical treatments at home (ears, nose and throat). A medicine was put in the bottle and the bulb was squeezed, pushing air into the bottle and propelling the substance through the nozzle. Another popular product that utilizes an atomizer is antique perfume bottles.

Artifact Number: 1982.11.32a

+ Object 8 Answer

A Ski Binding!

This ski binding was produced by French company Ramy in the 1950s.

Artifact Number: 2009.022.001

+ Object 9 Answer

A Hot Plate!

Small electric hot or cooking plates like this one were sold from roughly 1907-1917.

Artifact Number: 1981.1194.1

+ Object 10 Answer

A harness punch!

Harness punches are a type of leather punch used by saddlers in the construction of tack and saddles. Punches come in different sizes, and this one was used for making holes for grommets or rivets.

Artifact Number: 1981.1155.1

+ Object 11 Answer

A Heating Element!

This is a heating element from an early space heater!

Artifact Number:1990.4.1b

+ Object 12 Answer

A Boy Scout neckerchief slide!

This slide was made by Micheal Butorac who was a Queens Scout in the 1st Rossland Troop. Boy Scout neckerchief slides are sometimes known as woggles.

Artifact Number: 2019.23.4b

+ Object 13 Answer

An Envelope Sealer!

The Kendall envelope sealing tool was patented in 1917. Users would wet the felt applicator, place the envelope lip in the slit, and run the tool around the edge of the lip, wetting the adhesive.

Artifact Number: 1996.8.1

+ Object 14 Answer

A Butter Mould!

Butter moulds were used to shape freshly made butter. Common shapes were bricks or rounds; depending on what time period it was, there were even chicken butter moulds! Some moulds had a design on the bottom of the press paddle that would impress upon the butter.

Artifact Number: 1996.14.1

+ Object 15 Answer

A pickle castor!

Pickle castors were a popular serving dish on dining tables during the 19th century. They were at their most popular in the 1890s, but fell out fashion by the end of the Victorian Era.

Artifact Number: 1989.6.3

+ Object 16 Answer

A Kinoskop of course!

A Kinoskop was an early form of view master! Viewers looked through a small hole on the end to view an image. The images were most likely from a film or comic. Dates from the early 20th century.

Artifact Number: 1991.33.1

+ Object 17 Answer

This is a contact lens!

Contact lenses were invented in the late 1880s, but were not popularized until the 1920s-1930s during the “New Look” period. The first contacts lenses were made of glass, but in the 20th century plastic was used.

Artifact Number: 1990.15.1a

+ Object 18 Answer

Handheld Optometer!

This optometer dates from 1920s and was used to test people's vision.

Artifact Number: 1984.1.33

+ Object 19 Answer

Mine Claim tags!

Mining or mineral claim tags were needed when staking a claim. The tags were issued by the province and registered with the area’s mining recorder. One tag is attached to each of the claim posts (one on each corner of the claim).

Artifact Number: 1999.1.1a

+ Object 20 Answer

A Curling Iron!

Curling irons were first patented in the 1860s.

Artifact Number: 1981.1062.2

+ Object 21 Answer

A dice cup!

This leather dice cup was used during dice games as a shaker to rotate the dice. Date unknown.

Artifact Number: 1974.614.1

+ Object 22 Answer

An Iron Trivet!

Trivets or stands were used to protect work surfaces from hot irons. Date unknown

Artifact Number: 1981.1192.1

+ Object 23 Answer

This is a level!

This level dates from the late 1890s – early 1900s.

Artifact Number: 1991.12.15

+ Object 24 Answer

Radio Antenna Insulators!

Strain insulators are an electrical insulator that is commonly used in radio antennas. The insulator is designed to work in mechanical tension (strain), to withstand the pull of a suspended electrical wire or cable. Date unknown.

Artifact Number: 1991.1.1

+ Object 25 Answer

These are mining drill bits!

Mining drills like the jackleg, stoper, and drifter use drill steel (steel bar that is inserted into the drill) with detachable drill bits. The drill bits are attached and removed with a bit knocker.

+ Object 26 Answer

This is a Carbide Lamp!

Carbide lamps were the main lighting used by miners from 1900-1950s. Carbide lamps were preceded by Sticking Tommies and followed by battery powered headlamps.

Artifact Number: 1994.6.2b

+ Object 27 Answer

These are Assaying Cupels/Crucibles!

Cupels or crucibles are used in the fire assaying process. Assaying is a series of tests done to determine the metal content and quality of a sample. Cupels come in various sizes, that decrease as more of the excess minerals are separated out. Cupels are generally made of bone ash.

Artifact Number: 1971.477.1

+ Object 28 Answer

These are a cobbler's anvil (metal stand) and last (small foot)!

These tools were used by cobblers during both the making and repairing process. Cobblers would have multiple lasts that were different sizes to accomodate all shoes sizes!

Artifact Numbers: 1974.607.1a and 1978.992.4

+ Object 29 Answer

This is a ski boot press!

Boot presses like this were used by skiings to keep their boots together while transporting them as well as storing during the off season.

Artifact Number: 2013.19.8c

+ Object 30 Answer

A Bicycle Pump!

This small hand bicycle tire pump was produced by Morgan & Wright in the 1890s. Morgan & Wright (Chicago) were one of the largest producers of bicycle tires and accessories.

Artifact Number: 1981.1139.1

+ Object 31 Answer

An Ice Cream Scoop!

This is a ice cream scoop was used to make square "scoops" - one possible use was making ice cream sandwiches. The ice cream sandwich are thought to have been invented by a pushcart salesman in New York City in 1899.

Artifact Number: 1987.35.4

+ Object 32 Answer

Primer Remover & Setter!

Presses like this were used in the fabrication of homemade small caliber bullets!

Artifact Number: 2005. 14.1

+ Object 33 Answer

A Fire Hydrant Cap!

This is a cap from a fire hydrant in Rossland. Rossland had three major fires in its history - 1902, 1927, and 1929.

Artifact Number: 2014.10.22

+ Object 34 Answer

Horse Shackles or Hobbles!

Hobbles are used to limit a horse’s mobility to prevent them from wandering away but still allow the horse to graze.

Artifact Number: 1996.11.2

+ Object 35 Answer

This is a Toy Paper Blaster/Cap Gun!

This particular model was made by Nu-Matic and dates to the 1930s.

Artifact Number: 1996.16.3

+ Object 36 Answer

An Alcohol Torch!

Small alcohol torches/blowtorches like this were used by dentists and jewellers. Likely dates from the 1920s-1940s.

Artifact Number: 1988.24.2

+ Object 37 Answer

A magnifying glass!

This magnifying glass is as decorative as it is practical. The glasses domed top works magnificiently for enlarging text as the glass is run over a page.

Artifact Number: 1978.966.1

+ Object 38 Answer

A String Holder!

This string holder was used at the Hunter Brothers Store in Rossland. The Hunter Brothers Store was one of Rossland's longest running businesses, operating from 1895 until the 1950s.

Artifact Number: 1995.19.1

+ Object 39 Answer

A Cheque Writer!

This particular machine is The Protectograph Personal Check Writer model 1500 that was produced by The Todd Protectograph Company. The Protectograph Personal Check Writer was patented in 1923 and this model was sold between 1925 and 1930.

Artifact Number: 1992.1.112

+ Object 40 Answer

These are Hubcaps

These hubcaps date from the 1920s-1930s. The Star was produced Durant Motors between 1922 and 1928. The Whippet was produced by Willys-Woverland Motors between 1926 and 1931. Finally, The Erskine (E) was produced by the Studebaker Corporation between 1926 and 1930.

Artifact Number: 1978.1058.1 - 1978.1058.3