Sterling Silver Thimbles and Thimble History - By: Millard Hiner

The first thimbles were found in Roman ruins. The primary purpose of a thimble is to be worn on the index finger or thumb while sewing, as shield to protect the finger that is pushing the needle. However, thimbles have other uses as well. They have been used to measure whiskey and prostitutes wore them to tap on client’s windows.

Thimble collectors are called digitabulists. They may collect thimbles made of a variety of materials including sterling silver. These thimbles are known as a dual collectible. This means they appeal to more than one group of collectors. Thimbles have appeal to people who collect vintage and decorative sewing items, while sterling silver items appeal to people who collect precious metals.

In addition to their silver content, sterling silver thimbles are valued based on a number of other factors. These include age, pattern, event commemorated, series and condition. Sterling silver thimbles are manufactured by variety of companies. Each company is identified by its unique mark or pattern. In the summer of 1851, the Great Exhibition was held in Hyde Park, London. Various companies made sterling silver thimbles to commemorate it and this spawned two new categories of collectible thimbles, commemorative and advertising.

Several specialized types of thimbles are popular with collectors. One such thimble is the “Dorcas.” Because silver is softer than steel, a silver thimble can be punctured by a steel needle unless the cap is reinforced with steel. Thimbles are also sometimes issued in a series such as the 50 states or Kentucky Derby Winners. These series are very popular with collectors who try to obtain a complete set. Careful cleaning will make an antique sterling silver thimble more attractive and desirable to collectors.

Special cases are made to display a thimble collection. Sterling silver thimbles have provenance and both intrinsic and decorative value. This is what has made them so popular with collectors for the last two centuries.

This article focuses on answering the following questions. What is a thimble? When did thimbles originate? What are their uses? Who collects thimbles? Why are sterling silver thimbles popular with collectors? What makes a thimble collectible? When were the first commemorative thimbles issued?

Millard Hiner writes on thimbles and thimble collections and his web site has a lot of information, go see!