Maker. J. Bladon, London. 1901. Solid silver. 28gms. Phil, at silvermakersmarks, was once again able to elaborate. He said - "This is the mark of Joseph Bladon who first registered this mark in 1876 from his premises in Clerkenwell. The hallmark here is London 1901. Joseph Bladon retired in 1894 and the business continued as Bladon & Humphries and finally Bladon & Co, until the 1950s".  Immaculate intricate scroll work surrounding a very fine enamel centre piece. The enamel centre piece carries a picture of perhaps a Samaritan (female - a nurse perhaps) offering a helping hand to a fallen person - either ill or injured, with two stretcher-bearers and a building in the background representing perhaps The London Hospital.... There are many questions - later we will try to answer them - meanwhile, superb isn't it?

My next item is directly related, and again very old (91 years) - a 1923 St Bartholomew's Hospital 800 Year Commemorative badge. Described as 'silver coloured' it does appear to be genuine silver. 38mm high x 22mm wide, quite ornate with the Barts' logo in an oval centre surrounded by the name and date - '1123' St Bartholomew's Hospital 1923' around the ceramic centre. Very nice I think.....
 

Makers: Toye & Co, London.  Another I had not come across before, but I have now!

My final 'purchase' for the festive season will probably surprise no one who is aware of my penchant for Lincoln (UK) items....

Hallmarked 16gms of solid silver. Having once been a member of teaching staff at this hospital I had several of these badges in my (professional) possession - but had never known one awarded or possessed one myself before. Once again I am able to say 'But I have now!'

Unforunately, the Hallmarks although the hallmarks seem to read S&D perhaps a Glasow manufacturer - dated perhaps in the early 60's (a guesstimate) - I have so far failed to identify the hallmark. There is no badge maker mark outside the hallmark. Pity the actual name of the badge manufacturer does not appear. Non-hallmarked chromium plated versions of the badge were manufactured & stamped by The London Badge and Button Company....

At the end of the day I couldn't just walk away with such superb gifts for myself. Although not quite conscience-stricken, I bought a very nice QARANC 'Friendship' badge as a gift for my brother-in-law - he collects 'Military' - but I have been working for a couple of years now to convert him to 'Nursing Military' - a worthy cause methinks.....

Imagine, that it was Christmas day every day. And  you were given five superb badges every day! Eighteen hundred and twenty five superb badges. But like Midas, you found that when you touched one, every set became a boiled egg! But then you didn't know that until you had touched one.... Forgive yourself - you never would! Egg sandwiches anyone?.......
WB.

Another photograph from the past - this one
from 1933

St James Hospital, London.
 

*Training Hospitals/Details *Not Available.        

'Guessing Games'? Guessing the correct badge and as many correct names as possible. Names above... At Least we know that the Matron was Miss Todd!   Well, that is yet another very pleasant note upon which to end the 31st Schools of Nursing Site News.