Lever Punch
notes: label: Description
content: This is a hand-operated cast iron, with gold-painted floral detailing, 13" lever works cam to punch 1/4" Masonic square & compass die through bottom die punching out engraved impression.
label: Description
content: It was used in the I. Bedichimer and Co, Masonic Jewelry store, originally located on Sansom Street in Philadelphia.
label: Description
content: It was founded in 1865 by Isaac Bedichimer, who had emigrated to the US from Russia in 1860. The business came to specialize in fraternal jewelry—the pins and emblems for organizations like the Masons and the Elks.
label: Description
content: The business was operated by the family until 1948, when the last family member passed away. Ross Sellers purchased it from a man who was a partner of the last Bedichimer, and ran it until the 1980s.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
topic: label: depicted
content: Freemasonry
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Hand Tools
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Ross Sellers
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1986.0354.04
label: accession number
content: 1986.0354
label: catalog number
content: 1986.0354.04
objectType: label: Object Name
content: punch, mechanical lever
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: iron (overall material)