Gavel
Object number2018.73.1 a-c
Manufacturer
Horn
Date1957
MediumRosewood; Plated metal; Cardboard; Tissue paper
Credit LineGift of Spiegel Family.
DescriptionWooden gavel with box .DimensionsLength x Width x Depth (a) laying flat): 10.5 × 3 × 2.25 in. (26.7 × 7.6 × 5.7 cm)Length x Width x Depth (b) box lid): 10.75 × 3.5 × 2.375 in. (27.3 × 8.9 × 6 cm)
Length x Width x Depth (c) box bottom): 10.5 × 3.125 × 2.25 in. (26.7 × 7.9 × 5.7 cm)
Inscriptionsa) Engraved on the gavel head plate is: "SPIEGEL'S COUSINS' CLUB / 1957"
b) On top of lid in blue ink: "Z SMOOKE / 348 Meyran Ave Pres. SPIEGEL'S COUSIN'S CLUB / 1957" with two rectangular doodles along one short end. On side of short end in pencil: "Gavel / for / Spiegel Cousin's Club". On other short end is a logo that reads: "Established HORN 1846 / GAVEL / No. C-115 MADE / IN / U.S.A." Cursive in blue ink below that is: "Genuine Rosewood"
Historical NotesThis gavel was used for the Spiegel's Cousins' Club. Spiegel's Cousins' Club was formed in late 1957 by descendants of Herman “Harry” Spiegel and his sister Bertha Spiegel Lebovitz. The club held regular meetings at Adath Israel Synagogue in Oakland (also known as the Ward Street Synagogue), as well as in the homes of members. Each year, the club generally hosted a Purim masquerade in the spring, a picnic in the summer and a Chanukah party in the winter. The multi-generational club included members of the Feldman, Lebovitz, Rofey, Rosenbloom, Rosenthal, Sittsamer, Spiegel and Smooke families. The name on the box, “Z. Smooke,” is Zoltan Smooke, a son-in-law of Bertha and her husband Abraham Lebovitz and an officer in the Club. Family clubs became popular within American Jewish communities in the early 20th century as multigenerational families looked for ways to maintain familial contacts. The clubs were mostly social in nature but occasionally were quite official, including charters, bylaws, officers, minutes and dues.
Previous owner
Herman Spiegel
(1888 - 1977)
Related institution
Spiegel's Cousins' Club
(founded 1957)
Related person
Zoltan Smooke
Subjects
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