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~ From the Readers ~
October, 2002
-- John Carman received this letter from a Signet Ring
dealer:
Dear Mr. Carman:
Thank you
for your inquiry. Without knowing anything about the wearer,
it is a little difficult to assess the possible symbolism.
However, we feel confident that this is an acorn surrounded
by oak leaf wreaths or clusters.
The following may
give you some insight as to the rings significance to the
wearer. "An acorn represents a potentiality, something
that with the right care and nurturing can grow into
something far greater than it is at present (e.g. a huge oak
tree that can last for many years beyond a human
lifetime)."
"The acorn has long been
considered a symbol of good luck in Germany where oak trees
are considered sacred. The rebirth of life in the coming of
the Christ child is also represented in the acorn. Bearing a
tiny seed that will produce a mighty oak, the acorn reminds
us that great results can be born of humble
beginnings."
"The oak leaf wreath is
symbolic of sturdiness and durability." An oak leaf
cluster is also used in the US Military to indicate a
subsequent award of the same medal for heroism (e.g. a second
silver star). None of our catalogs show a similar ring.
However, we will put you request on our search list and see
what we can find from our suppliers or estate jewelry dealers
over the next couple of months.
H. Garrett
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August 20, 2002 -- Melissa C.
Hiatt
If you turn the
page upside down from the way it is presented on the web, in
the part that looks like a stained glass window or a
bumblebee's butt you can see the initials "V" and
"M". The "V" is at the very top and the
lowest point of the
"V" points down toward the
center of the initial "M" which is in the middle of
the "thistle", "bumblebee butt" or
"window." The lower part of the ring is still
somewhat of a mystery. It looks like some four-legged animal
at the bottom of the ring with its hooves very near the edge.
Remember I am looking at it upside down from the web
presentation.
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August 17, 2002 -- Dan
Simons
I believe in the
early part of the 1900's up until the 50's a style and
sometimes necessity was a wax seal/ signet. My Mother still
has a signet ring from the 30's. I venture to guess that is
what George was wearing...since the design seems to be
recessed in the picture and that would be the most logical
deduction inferred.
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August 16, 2002 -- Steve
Beckley
To me, the design
on the ring looks more like a coat of arms or family crest.
It would be interesting to see what the Brewer or Bessolo
family crest looks like. Below is a sample from a family
crest web site to illustrate my point.
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August 15, 2002 -- Michael
Mills
I may be wrong, but
to me the image on Mr. Reeves' ring depicts an early version
of the great seal of the United States. An eagle with wings
spread, an E Pluribus Unum banner in its mouth, an olive
branch held in one foot, arrows held in the other foot, and a
stars and stripes shield in the foreground. The enclosed
attachment will illustrate my point.
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August 14, 2002 -- Ken
It
looks to me as if the ring on George's finger depicts a
scarab. It's very difficult to tell. But I'm fairly certain
that the scarab design was quite popular around that time.
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August 10, 2002 -- Danny
Nader
I was checking your
site for the TV Land listings andcame across the photo of the
ring George wore. I would venture a guess that the design is
a thistle or something along those lines.
This could suggest a possible
membership in a lodge, fraternity, or an organization that
shares common interests. It could also point the way towards
his heritage or ancestral ties. To me this seems plausible.
Perhaps more so if it came from his aunt. As her name is
McKenzie, maybe this lends itself to the British Isles? Since
your knowledge of George is probably deeper than the rest of
us, I hope this will point you in a viable direction.
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