Collecting... Something Old, something new... All Nice!

Herein are some 'pearls' from the past below on the theme of 'sweetheart brooches'....

But first... A look back (News page 032). A marcasite on silver creation for the QARANC - not necessarily a sweetheart brooche but probably often gifted as one! I certainly have one in my collection, though I bought mine from an ebay seller. It seems quite a rarity....
 

*Genuine marcasite comes from the mineral pyrite, which is a beautiful, metalized stone similar in appearance to gold - which is why it is often referred to as 'Fools Gold'. The basic composition of pyrite is iron sulphide, but true marcasite has to be white iron sulphide based.

Sweetheart Brooches
Following on from  'sweethearts' Brooches - which were often given to armed forces sweethearts, families and friends before those concerned went to war.  Perhaps as a good luck talisman or in case they did not they return from war.  Many were donated to hospital nurses by the injured and worn inside the nurses cloaks.  'Sweetheart Brooches' - a much neglected area of collecting. Perhaps our articles may help correct that omission...

All armed services had these brooches.

1. Another nice RAF sweetheart brooche from  'Westendcollectables'. Metal and coloured enamel. I believe that 'Mother of pearl' is also used to back mount these badges. This one is listed as Lucite. Superb presentation. There are a number of 'Lucite' brooches for sale on various site, including ebay. Perhaps a we need to start a new collector page....?

*Lucite is a transparent thermoplastic. PMMA is also known as acrylic, acrylic glass, as well as by the trade names and brands Crylux, Alfaplas, Plexiglas, Acrylite, Lucite, and Perspex - Wikipedia.

2. And this Royal Artillery (Army) broche..  Mother of Pearl backed - Colored enamels. 'UBIQUE QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT' Means 'EVERYWHERE - RIGHT AND GLORY - LEAD.  Kings crown WWII. There is a solid gold version and brass version as well, plus a cap badge and also a version with 'CADET' as the first word. Solid sterling silver.
 

**Mother of pearl is a smooth shining iridescent substance forming the inner layer of the shell of some molluscs, especially oysters and abalones, used in ornamentation - Wikipedia.

Mother of pearl can be found in specialist hobby shops almost everywhere in various shapes, including sheets and is readily useful for attaching badges *or anything else!) The prices are usually reasonable. *Caution is advised because such creations may not be original, particularly the case where military badges are often re-strikes.  Attaching a nursing badge carries the same caution. Let buyers beware...

And there are many more to come from all sources, forces and civilian.  Watch this column and look out for a special article.

But sweetheart brooches were intended not only for sweethearts, but for serving members of the armed forces - sweethearts no doubt, families and friends.  And there are probably many other examples, in addition to the armed services, which featured other services outside the scope of this article.

**The brooches themselves were made in a variety of shapes, sizes and metals, from base metal, to silver, to gold. and more latterly from Malachite (Newspage 32) and now, I have discovered, 'Lucite', which  I had never come across before.  Miniatures were intended for wear to show support for serving members, rather as does the Royal Red Cross poppy we see every year at the cenotaph.
 
So, where do we go form here? The local antique shop? No. I have already mentioned one new article Link in first column above - 'Fixings & Fastenings' - part one is online right now.  Link  Part two will follow shortly. Link

Imagine, in a recurring dream - that you had to prepare an academic paper to be published on the origins of the history of the  British Nursing Sweetheart Brooches. Start to finish! You have 1000 words and three hours. Start Now!!....  Before you wake up in the exam room...

 But just what is her badge?
Superb Photograph of Unidentified Nurse
(Unchanged for that reason)

Well, that is yet another very pleasant note upon which to end the 66th Schools of Nursing Site News..... Next update August/Sept 2023.