civil war collapsible drink cup. clean or don't clean

[bgar3]

great piece, i would leave it. essentially an early original drawing of baseball.

[Runscott]

To me those drawings look much more modern. If you clean it, it's going to bring that out even more, so if you are certain this is Civil War era, you shouldn't touch it.

[perezfan]

What product would you use if you were to clean it?

The finish looks gold or bronze... so would you use silver polish? Something else?

Just curious... I agree that this particular piece is best left as-is. But was wondering what cleaning product is advised for this type of finish.

Thanks

[khkco4bls]

It appears to be brass. I would love to clean it but i really think it would be best with the grime and patina that is on it.

[smokelessjoe]

I agree with Scott on this... The baseball engraving does not look Civil War period to me. I would not shine her up.

[GasHouseGang]

It seems like on every other episode of Antique's Road Show they have some item where they say, "Well, if you hadn't cleaned it it would be worth..." Do not clean it.

[Bugsy]

I was the seller of the cup and I believe it was either from the 1860s or 1870s because of the uniforms and the umpire. According to the Hall of Fame page on uniforms, shield front jerseys weren't worn much after the mid-1870s.

http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...es/jerseys.htm

Also, the umpire is holding an umbrella and walking stick. If you are a trade card collector, you know the image on this cup easily pre-dates images of 1880s umpires.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

It seems like on every other episode of Antique's Road Show they have some item where they say, "Well, if you hadn't cleaned it it would be worth..." Do not clean it.

Awesome piece About the only acceptable material to clean is silver....and that ain't silver!