Kinney Company of Providence, RI: examples and patterns

[5thwingmarty]

Patrick, I had the same opinion as you about when Kinney started, as at least one site states they were around from 1934 to 1950, or at least they used their hallmark during this period.  Here is a link to the scanned jewelry circulars I found.  In looking through it I also found ads from Blackinton, Irons & Russell, and Paye & Baker.

https://archive.org/details/jewelerscircular00unse_62/page/n519/mode/2up

 

I only got through about page 500 so there may be a few more wing/badge making jewelers in there.

[blind pew]

So  in summary-

 

1. No full size Kinney WW1 wings?

 

2. Kinney IS a maker of WW1 era wings?

[cwnorma]

6 minutes ago, blind pew said:

So  in summary-

 

1. No full size Kinney WW1 wings?

 

2. Kinney IS a maker of WW1 era wings?

 

blind pew,

 

So perhaps I am hedging but I would phrase it thus:

 

1. No full size Kinney marked WW1 wings have yet come to light.

 

2.  Kinney was in business during the war and could have made WW1 full size wings.  However, if they did, they do not appear to have ever marked them.  Someday, someone (probably Patrick or Marty, or if I am lucky me) will find an old ad in some forsaken corner of the internet or library and we will learn that xxx pattern was made by Kinney.  Until then, as I am fond of saying, more research needs to be done.

 

Cheers!

 

Chris

[cwnorma]

On 3/5/2021 at 1:18 PM, pfrost said:

There are a few patterns that even our world renowned "WWI wing pattern-expert" (looking at you Chis!) don't know who made them.

Patrick,

 

What I know could fill a thimble while what I don't know could fill the oceans.  But, Hey!  The pursuit of knowledge makes it fun!  

 

Thank you for the kind words.

 

Chris

[5thwingmarty]

A couple new additions to the Kinney collection, so here is a new family photo and a photo of the backs of the new ones.  Does anyone happen to have a Kinney catalog?  I have another small that looks like it might be a Kinney but is not hallmarked.

 

[blind pew]

I think YOU are the Kinney catalog!

[rathbonemuseum.com]

It's nice to find a detailed photo where you can clearly see the pattern of the wing being worn, especially if it is a nice pattern.

 

This is a photo of Ferdinand Eble Jr of Philadelphia who enlisted in the USAS in 1917 and served in the corps and the force through WWII. The photo is of him during the second world war as a Lt. Col. The ribbon is the WWI victory medal. He never served overseas.

 

 

[5thwingmarty]

Time for some new Kinney family portraits.  I got incredibly lucky at the show over the weekend and picked up two new Kinney wings which appear to be very early examples, an full-sized Aeronaut and a sweetheart Pilot in a WWI style.  Here is the new family portrait:

 

[5thwingmarty]

Here is the back of the Aeronaut:

 

[5thwingmarty]

And here are a couple better shots of the sweetheart, all of 1" in span:

 

[cwnorma]

Marty,

 

That is a tremendous 1919-1920 Aeronaut!  Wonderful!  The little sweetheart is cute too!

 

Chris

[warguy]

Hi Marty, great acquisitions. It was nice meeting you at the show! For those drooling over your aeronaut, trust me when I say the photos don't do it justice, it is simply gorgeous. Couldn’t have come to a nicer guy. Kevin

[5thwingmarty]

Thanks Kevin.  It was nice meeting you and some of the other west-coasters at the show.  Sorry you missed Patrick on Saturday.  Marty

[rathbonemuseum.com]

 

Wow. That is a beauty aeronaut Marty.

[rustywings]

Marty, what a terrific addition to your ever-expanding "Kinney Co." collection! I'm sure there's a 1920's Kinney-made Airship Pilot badge out there somewhere waiting to be added to your family of rare royalty!    

[5thwingmarty]

I went through my other little sweetheart wings and found another non-hallmarked Kinney among them.  I found a gold example of the one on the original Kinney sales card.

 

Hopefully I can eventually find examples of the full sized Kinney Airship and Naval Aviator wings, along with a small Airship.

[5thwingmarty]

Here is another little Kinney sweetheart piece I just picked up. This is only 1" in span but it is still bigger than the one on the bracelet.  My guess is that Kinney probably made full-sized collar insignia but I have not seen any hallmarked examples yet.  

 

[5thwingmarty]

Time for a new family photo.  I was finally able to add a Kinney Airship to the collection.  Its a baby but it is gold like its Aeronaut cousin.  Maybe next year a full size Naval Aviator or Airship will attend the reunion.