Pin, Clothing
Pin, Clothing
Pin, Clothing

Pin, Clothing

Object number2012.74.5 a-c
Manufacturer
Retailer
OriginStockholm, Sweden
MediumSilver plating; metal; enamel; cardboard
Credit LineGift of Ina Mae Smithley
DescriptionGold metal pin of a butterfly. Blue enamel wings with black enamel body. Reverse has straight pin. White box.Dimensions(a) Length: 2.125; Height: 1.125
(b) Length: 2.75 ; Depth: .5 ; Width: 1.625
(c) Length: 2.5 ; Width: 1.5 ; Depth: 1
Marks(a)
Engraved on reverse "SILVERPLAT / G.C.SPORRONG&CO. / STOCKHOLM".

(b)
In black on top of box top is an image of a sparkling diamond to left of text: "Jewelry By Design / P.O. Box 26565 / Akron, Ohio 44319".
Historical NotesButterfly pin of Willeen Benedum. The Benedum's owned a home, Butterfly Farm, in Ligonier. Donor Ina Mae Smithley was a nurse for Paul and Willeen Benedum in their later years. She started in the fall of 1974 as a nurse for Paul, he passed away a few years later and she stayed on as a nurse for Willeen until her death in 1986. The Benedums owned a home, Butterfly Farm, in Ligonier and the donor believes they contacted her to be their nurse after hearing about her from other Rolling Rock members. The Benedums spent the summer in Ligonier and wintered in Florida. Ina was their summer nurse and accompanied them on the trip south on their yacht Willeen IV. She subsequently went on many trips south with them either on the yacht, via motor-home and later by plane. The dresses were all worn by Willeen, but given as a gift to Ina because Willeen could no longer wear them by the 1970s. The uniform was worn by Ina when performing her nursing duties in their home, but she did not wear the uniform out in public as the Benedums did not want others to know she was their nurse. The Benedums were a prominent Pittsburgh family who became rich through the oil business. Michael Benedum (1869-1959) was the first to come to Pittsburgh and he made the family money through his wildcatting operations. He also was a known philanthropist and started the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation in honor of his deceased son. Michael Benedum was the uncle of Paul Benedum.
Previous owner (died 1986)
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