Small Brass Hammer ID?

[SCscoutguy]

I picked this up a few years ago somewhere and it is the only one like it I have ever seen. It is a solid brass hammer that is 6" long and the head is 2" wide. It says Hammer Studio on one side and 1534 S. BROADWAY on the other side. The only info I could find on the internet was from this link that mentions the location.
http://news.rootsweb.com/th/read/MO-VINTAGEPHOTOS/2004-11/1100226683
What would a small hammer like this be used for? The only thing I can think of is maybe it has something to do with picture frames?

 

[bgott]

Advertizing?

 

[t100]

trophy maker's? engraver's hammer?

 

[SCscoutguy]

Advertizing?

With the address on there I guess it could be but wouldn't it be a pretty expensive piece to give away as advertising at the turn of the century?

 

[bgott]

It might not have been that expensive back then. They used metal instead of plastic in the old days. Plus, Hammer Studio might have been a high dollar operation. In that case they wouldn't have wanted to give away cheap junk.

 

[Zrexxer]

Ludwig Hammer was an early photographer who had a studio at 1534 S Broadway in St. Louis. It's obviously an advertising trinket.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If you do a google search on the following:

"hammer studio" st. louis

A bunch of interesting stuff turns up, including an excerpt from old photography book about Mr. Hammer. Apparently there was also a Hammer Studio that produced B movies in the 1950s, but I don't think they are related.

 

[SCscoutguy]

Ludwig Hammer was an early photographer who had a studio at 1534 S Broadway in St. Louis. It's obviously an advertising trinket.

I believe that you are right now judging by all of the evidence. It is hard to believe that this little hammer is over 100 years old. I wonder how it made its way all the way to SC and if it is worth anything?

 

[Lump]

Probably worth more to collectors of photography by Ludwig Hammer.

Not all advertising collectibles were cheapo's. Even today, companies sometimes give away LIMITED quanitities of expensive items, to prospective clients, or their top customers.