Need help identifying possible head badge

[menotume]

I recently found this item while metal detecting a property which dates back to 1787. I'm not even sure that it's a head badge, but research showed me that Wannamaker made the Continental line of bikes in the 1890's. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[steve50]

John Wanamaker appears to have been a department store circa 1896. Also linked to bicycles. http://cdm15017.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p268001coll12/id/10807

 

[classic33]

If it's a value you're after, $28.99 still attached to the headtube. So in better condition

 

[Gravity Aided]

Still a department store, in Philadelphia, PA. Complete with a pipe organ (largest playable pipe organ)
Now owned by Macy's, an absolutely huge store.
Elgars' Imperial March-

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ92Mv0JicE

 

[menotume]

Thank you all. I should have been more specific with my question. Indeed, Wanamaker's is/was a large department store in Philadelphia. I was there several times as a young lad.

I am trying to identify the piece and place an approximate year on it. I don't even know if it's a head badge. It's flattened out, not curved like it was on a head tube. I haven't been able to find any pictures of a matching item with google. It's 1 7/8" wide by 2 1/2" tall.

Thanks again for all the quick replys. You guys are great.

 

[classic33]

"Date: 1896

For a few of the range, including his sons(1897 on),
http://digital.hagley.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p268001coll12/id/10836/rec/9

And the bottom is pushing forwards/upwards. Curved, it'd "lay down" again.

 

[menotume]

Date: 1896

For a few of the range, including his sons(1897 on),
http://digital.hagley.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p268001coll12/id/10836/rec/9

Thank you. So what I found IS from a bicycle? How were you able to date it? I am new to metal detecting, and this would be my oldest find so far

 

[classic33]

@menotume, No luck on the other site?

 

[menotume]

@classic33 , no sir. I have seen that catalog before, but I couldn't find a pic that showed the head badge well enough. I'll keep looking, thanks again!

Edit: $2 extra for brakes, rofl

 

[classic33]

Thank you. So what I found IS from a bicycle? How were you able to date it? I am new to metal detecting, and this would be my oldest find so far

Company(bicycle) went from father to son at that time. Son put middle initial on the badge when he took over bike production.