Old Beacon Advertising Hardware: But What Is It?

What is the object in the photo at right? It is made of metal, with two drilled holes for a wall mount. It is about 3 ½ inches long, with the words “W.H. Deisseroth, Plumbing & Heating, Fishkill Landing, N.Y.” engraved on the back plate. Most likely it is a complimentary gift, handed out as promotional advertising for this plumbing concern. The plumber was William H. Deisseroth whose store and shop was located at 3 North Avenue, just off Main Street in Fishkill Landing.

Deisseroth had opened for business in the fall of 1910, a date (we estimate) when this advertising ware was made. The company that manufactured this item probably was the Art Brass Company of New York City, known for making similar pieces for the plumbing trade. William Deisseroth’s name pops up on internet searches not as a plumber but most often as a popular entertainer, a singing tenor. The singing plumber participated in many choral societies and as a soloist in venues all over the Hudson Valley while still keeping his day job in drains and pipes. But what was this object used for … It is a toothbrush holder! [Our thanks to BHS member Theresa Kraft who recently bought this vintage piece of hardware advertising at a yard sale and loaned it to us for this article.]