The herald., 1895-03-02
some historic TR|MBIES
A Little Implement Having a
Very Ancient History
MRS. MURPHY'S COLLECTION
The Friday Morning Club Listens to an
Interesting Paper
References to Neediework From Saiiust's
Hantle to Hoods Shirt, Made
With Thimbies
MRS. MURPHY'S COLLECTION

In spite OF the heat yesterday a large
number OF ladies assembled in the Fri
day Morning club rooms to hear very
interesting paper entitled Historic Thin.
bles, written and read by Mrs. Ellen b.
Murphy. Mrs. Murphy is the wife OF
the American consul to Germany and has
recently arrived in Los Angeles from her
home in Frankfort-on-the-M Main.
The speaker first referred to the thin
BILE as one of the little things of life, yet
it is wholly indispen sable since the
needle-''woman's weapon"-s rendered
so ineffective without assistance from
the thimble.
The needle work of the cloister was
next spoken of, the delicate work of the
nuns, interviewer with sweet religious
thoughts and aspirations; this was fol-
lowed by various stories, anecdotes and
pathetic incidents recalled by the large
collection of thimbles which Mrs. Murphy
has picked up from time to time in vari-
GUS historic places.
Considerably over hundred thimbles
were shown, and Mrs. Murphy spoke of
the patience, endurance, days and nights
of toll, the pleasant and sad associations
they held for her.
Then followed reference to the first
hnONlSueC VI tHc VulIl blc--lH l1eTCu-
laneum--and the fact that they were
found in the Catacombs.
In the early ages thimblcs were most
used by men and worn on the thumb,
hence the name-thumb-b bells, later cor.
rupted to thimbles.
Early antique embroideries were made
by men.
A description Of the mechanical process
of making thimbles followed; how the
metal is melted, pressed into shape,
FURNISHED, etc.; they are made Of metal,
glass, wood, mother Of pearl, ivory, amber,
and of silk made in Corea.
The Dutch claim the credit of inventing
the thimble, and a pretty love story is
connected with the first thimble made in
Amsterdam.
Mrs. Murphy spoke OF the first thimbe-
maker as one of the greatest benefactors
Of mankind, who deserves to be remem-
bered until we revert to prehistoric SIM
plicity of attire. Nuns use ivory thimbles,
and they are used in making silk en-
broidery in art schools abroad.
The joys of collecting were then enum-
Grated; how the collection of thimbles be-
gan and grew; the fads of other collectors,
as snuff boxes, watches, gloves, minia-
lures, shoes, teapots, postage stamps,
keys, seals, coins, shells, minerals, etc.
The wonderful sympathy and fellow
feeling between collectors was alluded to,
and how bric-a-brac dealers know col
lectorS and Offer them curlOs.
Thimble holders were described, and
the great ingenuity expended upon them;
the needlework in Germany and how
the children are taught fine stitching
and darning in the schools.
Ruskin was quoted as saying that hand
sewing was lost art which should be
revived, as the same difference exists be-
tween hand sewing and machine sewing
as between handmade and manufactured
lace.
Schools of art and needlework in Lon
don were spoken of, which give unfortun-
ate gentlewomen an opportunity to earn "a
livelihood, and some of the books on art
needlework which have been published.
Reference was made to needlework in
America, some of which is very beautiful
1t has style Of its own, and exquisite
effects are obtained.
The interesting paper closed with a
brief history of many of the thimbles
in the collection, some of which are, set
into gems; others old Italian, 200 years
old one called multum in parvo, with
holder; a silken Corean thimble. lined
with pastboard and decorated with en-
brodery; one Of olive wood; a Japanese
thimble, and Chinese thimble OF solid
silver, made by hand; one from East
Dresden China-very rare; one of Royal
Worcester.
A sailors thimble, an old italian pence
bag, used by noble ladies to collect aims,
and other curious and interesting articles
were shown, not the least of which was
large silver cup. made in the shape of q
thimble and used to evade tie old law
which read that only thimbcful of
liquor should be Sold