A heavy pair of deeply cast metal bookends with a copper patina that were based on the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia. The house design is accented with a large American Flag flying from the attic dormer. The base has the writing “BIRTHPLACE OF OLD GLORY BETSY ROSS HOUSE PHILA. PA”.  The bases are covered in black felt.

 

The metal could be bronze with a copper patina. The metal is not magnetic and so has little or no iron content.

  

On the back is the name VEXIL WEISGERBER and the copyright symbol. Vexil Weisgerber was the son of Charles Weisgerber, a respected Philadelphia citizen who founded the Betsy Ross House Museum in the very late 19th century. The Weisgerber family lived upstairs from the museum. The bookend was most likely sold as a souvenir in the museum.

 

5 ¾” (14.6 cm) tall x 4 oe” (11.4 cm) wide x 1 ¾” (4.4 cm) deep. Weighs 3 lbs 8.2 oz (1595 g)

 

The condition is very good with no patina losses, dents, or breaks.

 

A great useful pair of bookends that pays homage to Betsy Ross and to old glory.