Vintage 1940s Confucius Say Book Locket Brooch | Gold Tone Figural Bust Pin with Dangling Book | Original Fold-Out Sayings Paper | C-Clasp | 2"

A brooch that comes with its own reading material.

This vintage 1940s novelty brooch has a gold-tone figural bust at the top, and hanging from it on a small jump ring is a tiny hinged book. The cover reads "Confucius Say" across a banner, over columns of decorative Asian-style lettering. Open the book and there's still the original printed paper inside: a little accordion strip that unfolds into a row of tongue-in-cheek one-liners about romance, fashion and manners.

"Confucius say" jokes were a big fad in the late 1930s and 1940s, and novelty pins like this one rode the wave. The sayings are wordplay gags of their time, not the real teachings of Confucius, and some of the humor shows its age. It's a true period conversation piece, and finding one with the paper still inside is the fun part.

Details

• Material: Gold-tone metal, with the original paper insert
• Gold-tone figural bust pin with a dangling hinged book locket
• Book opens to reveal the original fold-out paper of printed sayings
• Back of the book is decorated with a lightning bolt starburst on a textured ground
• C-clasp catch with a hinged pin
• A small maker's mark on the back of the bust that's worn and hard to read
• Circa 1940s

Measurements

• About 2 1/8" long from the top of the hat to the bottom of the book
• Book locket about 1" x 3/4"

Condition

Good vintage condition. The gold tone has worn on the high points, like the nose, beard and shoulders, letting a silvery base metal show through, and there's some darkening in the recesses. The paper insert is intact, with age toning and a small stain on the last panel. The book opens and closes on its hinge.

Only one available. When it's gone, it's gone. Styling props in photos are not included.