Introducing Mr. Bubble


By Arturo DelFavero RM552

In 2001 master engraver Sam Alfano submitted an article that dealt with some carving tools used by classic artists, and one of the example nickels stuck with me. Over the years a number of matches showed up and I was fortunate enough to pick one up. While perusing through the O.H.N.S. auction nine catalogue I noticed another carving produced by the same artist.

One thing that was interesting on the first two carvings was the use of a beading tool to fill in the collar area with bubble looking circles. Though the third example did not feature this adornment it was still obvious that everything else matched. I have chosen the name "Mr. Bubble" as a reference to the round punch marks on the first two shown specimens.

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The carving characteristics for "Mr. Bubble" are as follows:

  1. A collar adorned with bubble like circles.
  2. Derby style hats with up-turned brim ends , with adornment bows on two specimens
  3. Head and facial hair produced with a beading tool/ circular punch.
  4. Simple ears on two specimens only.
  5. A / line from bottom of the neck to the base of the collar front to create a lapel.
  6. All have diamond stickpins.
  7. All have slightly angled vertical lines engraved in on their shoulder (one with slight cross lines).
  8. Dates obliterated.
  9. LIBERTY removed totally on two partially on one.