Images(4)

Wallet

Object number2015.84.4

Attributed to Enger Kress

Date1913-1948

MediumLeather/Ink

Credit LineGift of Norina H. Daubner

DescriptionTwo-tone brown leather wallet. Rectangular, folds in middle, but does not stay folded. Made of brown textured leather with darker smooth leather inside at center and on inside of each face in six-sided diamond shapes. Two compartments at back for paper currency. Gold embossed maker decoration on inside.Dimensions3.375 x 9.125 x 0.25 in. (8.6 x 23.2 x 0.6 cm)
MarksGold embossed decoration on inside: on left face is a knight (armor-clad man) on horseback with text under the horse "SAFE / SOUND / SOLID"; on right face at bottom center is "EK" inside of a circle with "Pigskin" below.
Historical NotesConductor's baton used by Andrea Mazzotti. "EK" embossed on the inside right wallet face may be the emblem for Enger Kress, a manufacturer of varied leather goods. Andrea Mazzotti was born in Salerno, Italy circa 1892, and immigrated to Pittsburgh in 1913, at the age of 21. Trained as a musician in Italy, he specialized in baritone, trombone, and violin and worked as a session musician for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and in bands throughout the city. While it was uncommon for an immigrant to make a living as a professional musician playing anything other than ethnic standards in the 1920s and 1930s, Mazzotti was fortunate to find work during the Great Depression through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and played both classical and popular American music. He also worked as a conductor and tutor, teaching at Volkwein Brothers' Studio. Mazzotti was unable to participate in the draft during WWII due to his poor eyesight and instead used his musical talents to participate in War Bond rallies throughout the region. Besides working as a musician, he also sold life insurance through the Knights Life Insurance Company of America; during one sales outing, Mazzotti was robbed and took to carrying a blackjack after the incident. He died on March 22, 1948.

Previous owner Andrea Mazzotti (Italian, c. 1892 - 1948)

Related institution Knights Life Insurance Company of America

Related institution Volkwein Brothers' Studio

Related institution Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Related institution Works Progress Administration

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