THE LONE RANGER RARE PROTOTYPE SECRET COMPARTMENT RING.
Bidding has ended for this item.
Thank you for visiting our past auction results. If you have an identical (or similar) to this auction item, please call or contact us to discuss. We look forward to speaking with you.
Winning Bid:
$1,150.00
(Includes 15% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Thursday, March 17, 2016 9:00:00 AM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Thursday, March 17, 2016 9:00:00 AM)
Item Description
We offered this ring in auction #212 with $1500 opening bid. The ring did not get a bid in that auction and our consigner has dropped the opening to $1000 which we feel is exceedingly reasonable given that this is only the fourth example of this ring we've been able to offer in five decades. Past sales have exceeded $2000 and even $3000. This ring was designed in 1940 by Orin Armstrong of the Robbins Co. which specialized in premiums and particularly rings. Information from the original owner of our second example explains why the ring was never produced for distribution. That ring came from the Lone Ranger's 'Home' city of Detroit originally owned by an advertising agency man who said the ring was intended as a "Secret Compartment" ring to be offered as a premium by the Lone Ranger radio program sponsor. The ring was rejected and never put into mass production because it could not be worn with the prongs, which hold the top cover to the base, sticking straight down as this was both uncomfortable and dangerous to the wearer's finger. If the prongs had been bent flat along the underside, then it became impossible to remove the secret compartment cover. The photos of The Lone Ranger and Silver inside the top are an added attraction to the secret compartment feature. The design problems were eventually resolved in 1942 when The Lone Ranger military rings were issued which also carry two pictures but the secret compartment became a slide-off top. This prototype ring has a base with star and chevron design identical to The Lone Ranger National Defenders Look-Around ring. The same design was used as early as 1939 by Orphan Annie and named the Mystic Eye Detective Ring. Mounted on the top of this prototype ring base is a 3/8" tall crisp real photo, without dot pattern, of Silver. Mounted on the underside of the removable compartment is a matching real photo of The Lone Ranger in mask and hat with tiny text on his bandana consisting of a copyright symbol and "1939 The Lone Ranger, Inc." This example is NM with only microscopic luster loss. The ring displays Mint. Rare.
Pictures (click images to zoom in)
Review your bid and press the Confirm Your Bid button below. Important: By confirming your bid, you are agreeing to purchase the item listed below if you are the winning bidder.
You haven't placed any bids.
