Next is an ORT fob from an Ottawa Division on the Canadian National Railways commemorating their 100% membership for 1924-1925, nice blue enamel border, with the wreath and telegraph sounder with a red background. It was made by Ambrose Kent & Sons of Toronto, Ontario.

Reverse side of watch for

Kent Brothers advertisement

Ambrose Kent & Sons advertisement

My Early ORT 25 Years Continuous Membership Order of Railroad Telegraphers watch fobs made of 14 K gold, I have three of them, they are inscribed with the members name, and the year he started service on the front, The first one was presented to F. Gervey for membership from 1910 to 1935. The second one was presented to W.R. McLin for membership from 1912 to 1937. The third one is in its original box was presented to G.R. Winters for membership from 1914 to 1939.

ORT emblem reverse side

W.R McLin 1912-1937

ORT emblem for G.R. Winters in original box

ORT emblem reverse side in original box marked "25 Years Continuous Membership ORT"

The next one is smaller and is inscribed on the back "25 Year Veteran O.R.T." on the front is but telegraphers sounder like the larger ones the members name W.G. Gorman for membership from 1928 to 1953.

Reverse side marked "25 Year Veteran O.R.T."

The third example I have has ORT on top and 25 with floral leaves on each side on the bottom these are gilt, in the middle is a black enamel telegraph sounder.

Reverse side has markings from Bastian Brothers, Rochester, New York

Looking through my collection of old The Railroad Telegrapher magazines I found this one from May 1940, it has a funny political cartoon on the front.

Political Cartoon from 75 years ago

Going through the magazine I found this interesting offer, at their Convention at Milwaukee in 1939 a new smaller size Veteran Emblem for completion of 25 years Continuous membership in the Order of Railroad Telegraphers. It shows examples of the old and new emblems and goes on to say that many ORT members now wearing the larger size emblem have expressed a desire to exchange the old emblem for the one of the new standard size. Through an arrangement with the manufacturer such an exchange can now be made on payment of $2.50 plus your old emblem. You will then have a new emblem with your name and the year of admission to membership engraved on the front rim.

I weighed both my emblems and the larger one is 6.6 grams of 14 karat gold. The smaller emblem weighs in at 3.1 grams. Looking at price gold today 6.6 grams of 14 karat gold is worth $138.26 and the value of 3.1 grams of 14 karat gold would be worth $64.94. So if you went for this deal with the $2.50 for shipping you would be losing $75.82.

The smaller ORT emblem on the scale.

My Illinois Burlington 16 size, 21 jewel, Double Sunk Arabic 24-hour dial

Illinois Burlington pocket watch case trademark

Illinois Burlington 16 size, 21 jewel, movement

Illinois Burlington 16 size, 21 jewel, movement close-up.

Back of case engraved with "Order of Railroad Telegraphers in a circle around the ORT Telegraph Sounder logo.