I recently purchased this nice private label watch from a fellow member named to Meyer & Schamber / Meridian, Miss., and while checking the name on the web came across the second picture of the store where it was sold.

To me, a nice bit of ephemera, which just makes this hobby a little more interesting.

Marty

And the store where it was sold, taken from a period post card, ca. 1910.

I find the bottom line of the card interesting. I wonder if they're talking about Teddy Roosevelt's 'White Fleet' of battleships that sailed around the world about that time?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_White_Fleet

Are those the original hands on your watch? They sure look heavy to me.

Nice companion pieces!

Regards! Mark

Mark:

I do not know if those are original hands, but trust that they are, since the watch was bought from one of the forum's premier sellers. If I find out that they are not I'm sure he will take the item back.

Now, as far as that silver service being made for TR's Great White Fleet that is possible, but I cannot find out anything more definite. That photo came from the Mississippi archive collection but here's another postcard photo that shows the ship. Unfortunately the reverse of the card is not show so it can't be dated, but it certainly does appear to be of that era.

Marty

According to another article I just read, it says the following:


"On 17-21 February 1909, as the rest of the ships crossed the Atlantic en route home, they were rejoined by the Maine and several other warships, whose new-style grey paint contrasted with beautiful (but impractical) white and buff of the "Great White Fleet" battleships. The new arrivals included, in addition to Maine: battleships Mississippi, Idaho and New Hampshire; armored cruisers North Carolina and Montana; and scout cruisers Chester, Birmingham, and Salem. All of these ships had been completed 1n 1908."

The Battleship Mississippi was indeed part of that fleet. These battleships were refered to as drednaughts.

The rest of the fleet was immediately repainted upon return to the U.S. after the global tour to either grey or or grey striped for North Sea camouflage like the British navy was experimenting with at the time, matching the Mississippi and other mentioned ships.

What a cool connection!

If the hands aren't right, I'd just have them changed out rather than give up the watch....but that's just me.

I carry a 1910 18s Elgin on a fairly regular basis, and its hands are a lot thinner than those seen on this watch.

Regards! Mark