Anybody know what this is?

[GunClick Rick]

I picked it up at a second hand store for a buck.It says Change Plate or Charge Plate and is lined with felt inside,i have no idea? It has a ring to ad like a watch fob and actually opens like the cover of a pocket watch.

[Forty Rod]

Coud be a pastille case but the Charge Plate inscription doesn't support that.  Just a guess.

[Cherokee Reb]

Looks like a Victorian calling card case. I've seen them referenced as change plates in old ads.

My ex-wife collected Victorian ephemera and had several great calling cards. There was an entire etiquette revolving around how calling cards were presented. Even a turned or creased corner had meaning to those in the know.

Apparently, I was not in the know, so am now an ex.........

CR

[Wolfgang]

Didn't know that there were cases for calling cards. . . but make sense.   No ya got ya a case, . . get some calling cards. 

"Gun Click - Valdez - shoot 'em up - Rick"   etc.   

You can leave on on the dead body and all will know that you've been there 

[Jubal Starbuck]

  Or you could just put a rock under their head, like Tom Horn was purported to do, but you'd need a larger case!

[rebsr52339]

Come on Rick, you know what that is. It's  a Wach-a-ma-call-it!!!      

[Professor Marvel]

Ah My Dear Rick -

I do believe that you have a brass carrying case for a "Charge Plate" as seen here:

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-collectible-coins-charge-plate-1264.php
http://museumcollections.in.gov/detail.php?t=objects&type=browse&f=object_type&s=card%2C+credit&record=0
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51719675/vintage-charge-plate-hutzler-brothers

These plates were the predecessors of the modernisch Plastic Credit card, and were placed in the embossing machine by the Shop Clerk, whilst the Store's portion was affixed to the machine.  

howver if you are interested in the archaic "calling card" (aren't we all?) I offer for your entertainement and edification

the victorian calling card or "visiting card"
http://www.woodenhorsebooks.com/visiting-cards.html


the picture version
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite

the naval versions
http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/social_custom.htm

my fee will be billed to Your account  :-)

yhs
prof marvel

[GunClick Rick]

Well i'll be dipped in snake oil and sold fer molasses on straw baked pancakes ! Wouldn't ya know i'd get one with no credit!



Thanks Mr. Woopie,i mean Proffessor