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Old Charlie painted glass match holder produced in England circa 1960. Old Charlie personifies the night watchman of Old England. Before a regular police force was created, it was his job to patrol the streets during the night. He would call out the hours and the weather, as for instance: "Ten o'clock of the night; the night is fine; all's well". From about the 17th century, a night watchman was popularly known as a Charley after his origination under the reign of Charles II, just as policemen were later on nicknamed Bobbies, when Sir Robert Peel installed a police force in London in 1829.
Maker:
unknown
England
circa 1960
Model #:
Glass
match holder
Size:
medium
Height:
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