The brass – paperweight or ashtray given its design – is marked Middlesex Aniline Co Inc Lincoln New Jersey, which is east of Wilmington DE. It resembles a bag of Graduated Nickel Salts. Now, in case you were wondering – I was – here’s a description of nickel salts: Nickel salts are inorganic compounds containing nickel ions and an anion, commonly forming green solutions in water and used widely in electroplating, catalysis, batteries, and pigments, with key examples being nickel chloride, sulfate, and nitrate, which serve as precursors for nickel metal and various chemical processes. Online descriptions of the company do not mention nickel salts; rather, they suggest the company chemical manufacturer making synthetic dye. Specifically, synthetic dyes derived from coal tar, like aniline purple. The diamond shaped logo – which is scratched – appears to be MIDANILCO. On the back, inside the bowl, is incised W&H.Co, which may indicate the manufacturer was Whitehead & Hoag Co. Newark, N.J., a major manufacturer of promotional items. History, per online research: The Middlesex Aniline Co was founded in August 1915. In February 2016, an explosion and fire destroyed the company plant and business records. Perhaps, the end. There is little else online. About 3/4 x 3 3/8 x 2 inches
Weight: 0.645 LB
Measurement: 0.75 x 3.375 IN
Depth: 2
Condition report:
Used, overall excellent. However there is a 1/4 inch scratch to the diamond logo.
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