I wanted to practice posting with pictures and try to find out what I could about this fob.

hi it looks to be hand made and im sure its one of a kind.i think it is a type of free form cast.

In my own search, I believe this was created by L.W. Suter. He was a jeweler in the early 1900's during the Alaska goldrush. I believe I've seen his name associated with watches also.

Can anyone verify, correct or add to this info? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks,


Bob

Thanks James! Sorry I didn't post these right before.


Bob

Bob, All the random shaped gold segmants appear to be actual raw mined gold "nuggets". Given that, the links are also most probably gold, and I would think that the watch that was attached to this must have been a real "hummer".

The "Suter Nome" (Alaska) on the nugget encrusted "T" bar says it all. A lot of gold (still) in "Them thar Hills".

You have quite a collector's item given the size of those, and their true collectible value which is very very high both in "melt" value and "keep it as is" value.

Thanks Dave,

I cringe to think that someone would melt it down for the gold value!

The Alaskan gold miners up to now still proudly show the larger "found" nuggets on all sorts of Jeweley. I am very sure you have an extraordinary example. Keep It! That probably came from months, or even years of working mining claims where Gold dust is the usual result, but the occasional "nugget" shows up too.

Even at 34.21 Grams, I would hope it was valued more as a collectors item regardless how high gold might go.

Bob

Oh, definitely plan to keep it! Was just hoping to find out more about it and the man who made it. It would be interesting to know what he sold it for. Ha ha

Bob

Bob there are people out there who would melt there mother down if she were made of gold.

Bob, I saw a very similar chain and fob in an antique store today. It has a mark from the maker, but I did not write it down. Do you have an idea as to the value of such a piece (beyond the gold value)?

Robert,
L. W. Suter was born in New York in 1869.

He's listed in the 1892 Washington State & Territory Census, Seattle, King County, as a Clerk and is 23 yrs old.

Then he's listed in the 1901 Canadian Genealogy Index, in Yukon Territory, NOME Alaska, as a Jeweler. Dawson City Yukon Territory Alaska Directory

Then he's listed in the 1930 US Census 60 yrs old, Seattle Washington, King County, Dist 92 as a Jeweler.

So I guess good old Mr. L. W. Suter sold your watch chain in his store.

It's a fine looking chain, and what lovely "hunks" it has!

Congratulations on a great find!

Thanks Sheila for the info.


Mike, I have no idea what sort of premium it might bring.


Bob