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I love it when I find NOS items. These are \"new old stock\", meaning they were stock sold in a store (a dime store, in this case). The store closed, and the stock was packed away. THEN someone comes along, and buys the new, old stock. And viola! We have these wonderful pinbacks for St Patrick\'s Day.
The card is marked Japan, and the piece dates to the 1950\'s. The card is printed thin cardstock. The pinback is tin litho - lithographed illustration on tin. The ribbon is a silky grosgrain in green. The little shamrock is a \"pick\" - it can be added as a lapel pin, or to a cupcake. It is made from very thin silk thread woven onto a metal frame to form a shamrock. And then, at the last, is a darling little clay pipe (made from composition). I am not sure about the pipe - it really looks like a very cheap ceramic, but is probably composition (a combination of glue, sawdust and plaster, made to look like ceramic).
I especially like the tin litho design. The character features a creature that I can\'t identify. I see wings, and what looks like a dog mermaid, with an exposed breast? Let me know if you can identify the critter.
The piece is just so charming, and if you like vintage holiday items in new old stock condition, this piece is for you!