Brooch
ca. 1948 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Throughout history notable events have been commemorated through jewellery. This brooch marks the introduction of diesel locomotives to part of the Lehigh Valley Railroad in the USA. By the 1940s locomotives powered by diesel were beginning to replace steam locomotives. Diesel engines were both more efficient to run and easier to mass produce, and represented an exciting new technological advance.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad was constructed during the 19th century to transport Anthracite coal from Pennsylvania to the populous, industrial areas on America’s east coast. It earned the nickname ‘the route of the black diamond’, after its profitable cargo. A black diamond shape can be seen on the company's logo, as depicted on the front of this brooch.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad was constructed during the 19th century to transport Anthracite coal from Pennsylvania to the populous, industrial areas on America’s east coast. It earned the nickname ‘the route of the black diamond’, after its profitable cargo. A black diamond shape can be seen on the company's logo, as depicted on the front of this brooch.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold, diamonds, sapphires and rock crystal |
| Brief description | Brooch in the form of a diesel locomotive of gold, diamonds, sapphires and rock crystal, USA, 1948 |
| Physical description | Gold brooch in the form of a diesel locomotive, set with diamonds, sapphires and rock crystal. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein |
| Object history | The brooch commemorates the first diesel locomotive to be used by the American Lehigh Valley Railroad running from New Jersey to Buffalo. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Throughout history notable events have been commemorated through jewellery. This brooch marks the introduction of diesel locomotives to part of the Lehigh Valley Railroad in the USA. By the 1940s locomotives powered by diesel were beginning to replace steam locomotives. Diesel engines were both more efficient to run and easier to mass produce, and represented an exciting new technological advance. The Lehigh Valley Railroad was constructed during the 19th century to transport Anthracite coal from Pennsylvania to the populous, industrial areas on America’s east coast. It earned the nickname ‘the route of the black diamond’, after its profitable cargo. A black diamond shape can be seen on the company's logo, as depicted on the front of this brooch. |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.169-2007 |
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| Record created | January 17, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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