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CT&O Chicago Mermaid Bottle Opener – Midway Buffet Chas. Nelson Moorhead Minn – Early 1900s Diamond Hole Variant – Vintage Barware Advertising
A rare survivor from the early 1900s, this CT&O Chicago figural mermaid bottle opener carries the quiet weight of a century of hands, bars, and stories. Cast in the era when saloons were gathering places and advertising was etched directly into metal.This piece was made specifically for the Midway Buffet operated by Chas. Nelson in Moorhead, Minnesota, a long‑gone establishment whose name now survives only through artifacts like this.”This example features the early diamond‑hole variant, a scarce mold version found on select CT&O castings and prized by collectors for its distinctive form. The engraving remains clear and legible, a testament to the quality of the original die and the care with which this piece was used and kept.
Estimated Era: circa 1910s–1930s, pre‑prohibition advertising period,and may qualify as antique - near antique.Maker: CT&O ChicagoAdvertising: Midway Buffet – Chas. Nelson – Moorhead, MinnVariant: Early Diamond Hole castingMaterial: Ferrous steel/iron alloyconsistent with early CT&O Chicago production (magnetic).
Measurements & Weight• Length: 2 7/8\"• ShortestWidth 1/2\" widest width 3/4\"• Weight: 12 g
Shows age‑appropriate patina with light reddish and dark oxidation in several areas, including around the Midway Buffet engraving and along the arm. Small black specks and discoloration present from normal aging. Surface scratches and small nicks throughout, consistent with early CT&O castings. No active rust, no flaking, and no structural damage.
Figural mermaid openers from CT&O Chicago were produced in small batches for bars, taverns, and breweries across the Midwest and Northeast. Each establishment received its own engraved die, making every advertising variant a piece of hyper‑local history.Most examples that surface today are unmarked, worn smooth, or later reproductions.A fully engraved, regionally specific, diamond‑hole variant in strong condition is significantly harder to find, especially tied to a small Minnesota buffet whose records barely survive.These openers weren’t souvenirs.They were tools, hung behind the bar, passed between bartenders, and used nightly.To find one intact, legible, and well‑preserved is uncommon.
This is more than a bottle opener, it’s a fragment of Midwestern bar history, a piece of Moorhead’s past, and a beautifully preserved example of early 20th‑century advertising craft.
Props shown in the photos, glass fishing float, netting, are for presentation only and are not included in the sale.
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Combined Shipping Policy
Combined shipping is available on qualifying items. Some pieces are too large, too fragile, or both, and cannot be safely shipped with other items. For all other eligible items, combined shipping discounts are automatically applied at checkout when two or more items are purchased at the same time.
Combined shipping always results in a lower total cost for the buyer, and in many cases helps reduce overall shipping expenses for both sides. Packaging material costs are included in the shipping price, as these supplies are not free and often required in larger quantities to ensure safe delivery.
If you have questions about combining specific items, feel free to reach out.
Shipping & Handling Policy
All orders are carefully packaged and shipped within 24 hours of cleared payment.
Weekend orders ship Monday due to USPS hours, though tracking may be uploaded sooner.
I take great care in packaging each item to ensure it arrives safely and in the same condition it was sent.
Pricing & Discount Policy
Due to rising costs across the board, shipping, fees, taxes, packaging materials, and inventory costs, I am no longer able to offer or accept large discounts. The Best Offer and counteroffer options have been removed to keep pricing stable and predictable.
Shipping costs have become increasingly unpredictable and often exceed the estimated amount, even when placed near the top of the predicted range. My buyers receive the USPS shipping discount that sellers are given from , and the shipping price also includes the cost of packaging materials, which are not free and are often used in significant amounts to ensure safe delivery.
I previously accepted offers up to 35% off, but this is no longer sustainable. Discounts are now limited to 10–15%. Thank you for understanding, these changes are necessary to keep the shop operating under current conditions.
Return Policy
I offer free returns within 14 days. Items must be returned in the same condition they were received.
Returns will not be accepted for:
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empty boxes or packaging materials returned without the original item
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Refunds are issued within 24 hours of receiving the returned item in its original condition.
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