Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-09-08
A Paper of Pins.

Ing into prOvefb, expresses WOTlu-em-
bracing benevolence All very charming
this flavor of freedom and thrift, but times
have been when these now most common
and prosaic little implements were luxu-
ries indeed nay more, time was when they
were not, at least as we enjoy them, slen-
der, glittering shafts" without which no
household is fully equipped.
Looking back, We find it recorded of the
fair damsels who fluttered about the Eng.
lsh court in the thirteenth century that
they fused skewers of bone, ivory, or
| boxwood in the arrangement of the
toilet" We wonder, in an unsatisfied
way, how the delicate fabrics of tissue,
gauze, and fleecy netting, of marvellous
device and cost" were deity tucked into
place. A little later, in 1347, the year fol.
lowing the memorable battle of Cressy,
the great want was met, in so far at least
as one grand lady was concerned, for it is
told us that "for the Princess Joan, twenty
thousand pynnes were ordered"
Until the middle of the sixteenth cen
tury, large, heavy articles were in vogue,
fashioned sometimes of silver and gold,
and not unfrequently precious stones were
for this use pressed into beautys service.
| We read of one belle of the period, who,
ain addition to much rich apparelling,"
with
"a sapphire bodkin for her hair"
stepped bravely into the arena of fashiona-
BILE life. Times of improvement were
dawning, for history certifies that "pins,
girdles, 'broideries and rings" were now
accounted necessities in the outfit of grand
or titled ladies; "the better sort" it is
added, "being supplied from the Cont
nent."
How the old story repeats ITSELF In
Egyptian tombs pins have been found
much resembling in general style and size
the old Continental and English articles
Just mentioned, with a difference, how
ever, in favor of Oriental artisans and the
resources of the market TO be supplied.
These ancient implements were otter seven
or eight inches in length, eXqWsitely
headed with gold, and richly wrought.
Less fancifully inclined, the ancient
Mexican danes appropriated as "fasten-
ers" " of their simple attire the long taper
| ing thorns of the agave, most con-
venient, and decidedly attractive natural
pin-each household doubtless command
| ing at its very door as it were, without
cost or trouble, and ever-thriving, never
barren, family pin-cushion.
Importation from the Continent must
have been active before 1888, for it was
then interrupted by prohibitory statute.
France, we are told, had become the great
business center of this banch of industry,
and "with reservation and much over.
sight on the part of the authorities" it
was allowed modest place among the
mechanical enterprises of the day. 1t was,
however, deemed of sufficient importance
to call forth STATUTES concerning the
ancient pin-makers of that section, which
| in these later times seems odd and strange.
One, most strngently enforced, was,
"that no master could open more than
| one shop for the sale of his wares, except
on New Years day and the eve thereof"
| 1t is amusing, in this connection, to note
the charming simplicity of courtly cav
alier or honest burgher, purchasing for
the ladies of his circle, as rare and accept
able New Years gifts, box OF these
small, glittering implements!
| In the reign of Henry the Eighth the
making of brass pins became so important
a trade as to claim the attention of the
crown, and an act was passed For the
true making of pynnes, to wit, that no
person shall put to sale any pynnes but
only such as shall be double-headed, and
have the heads soldered fast to the shank
the pynnes well smoothed, and the shank
we'll sharpened" Improvements soon
made the statute of no importance.
In 1926 pin-making establishment was
set up in Gloucester, and became so pros
porous that in little time fifteen hundred
persons found there steady employment
Ten years later, London could boast 6
manufactory bidding fair TO ogtdO the
Gloucester interest. Birmingham followed
suit, soon becoming the nucleus OF trade
in this as well as in other noted manuiac
turing operations in England.
The old English method involved four
teen distinct processes; everything wai
done by hand. The crimpiDg of the pa
pera, then the final disposition Of the pint
in them ready for market, was accom-
plished principally by women and chill
dren. Machinery, the result of mucl
thought and deep calculation, has utterly
changed the character of this branch o
business, that of rapidly and elegant,
papering" them, being considered one o
the most curious and admirable inventions
In the United States pin-making wa
first begun soon after the war of lSl2
when, in consequence of the interruption
TO commerce, the value of a paper OF pin
was no less than one dollar, and that, toe
for such as can now be purchased tor 81
cents. From year to year trials wer
made, improvements rave encouragement
to labor, and in 1924 Wright's patent CAV
TO the world the first continuance for max
ing by machinery, solid-headed pins. j
1882 HoUe's machines were patented i
, this country, and four years later intro
l duced into New York. These were 70
f making pins with wire or spun-heads,
+ like those imported from England, an
; are considered the first selfacting IN,
chimes by which the pin was entirely con
3 pleted by one successful process. The in
: proved processes have materially diminish
| a Al. .s..IN .F Nln ,.tva DFatl
less brass is consumed in furnishing th
5 same quantity.
1 Pins havesrecently been made of iro
. and steel wire; as protection from rus
, the metal is fabricated with oil as it pass(
a., the last time from the draw-plate, the
+ completed by the same routine used
: fashioning those of brass wire. B.aC
s pins are prepared by iapanning the con
g mon brass pins OF late this want he
e been met by steel pins brought to a dee
T. purple by tempering."
}, There is q style of pin used by en- tomo
y ogists extremely delicate and sharp. 9th,
varieties are manufactured, but all we b
c lieve upon the same general principle.
: Immense factories, involving a hea,
o expenditure for machinery of an eXcee
Is ingly complex character, are now dai
a furnishing supplies almost fabulous
, quantity, of these "small, comfortab
IS conveniences" The mauufactory at w
& terbury, Conn, and that of Birmingham
y in the same State, are we believe the lar
est. These two, it is said, have consum,
a, of copper alone, nearly ton daily, usil
D. exclusively that obtained from Lake S
20 periOr.
g But what becomes of the pins 9-KUs
Saturday.