When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Vintage 1956 Charm Bracelet – Arlene Kaye, Miss Illinois USA 1959 – ProvenanceAn elegant and wonderfully personal 1950s charm bracelet with remarkable family provenance connected to Arlene Kaye, Miss Illinois USA 1959.The bracelet was given to her for her 16th birthday in 1956 and remained part of her personal jewelry during the years leading into her modeling and pageant career, including her reign asMiss Illinois USA during1959-1960.
The collection of charms gives the bracelet an especially personal character. Among them are four classic heart charms, a miniature rotary telephone with a dial reading “I LOVE U,” a detailed motorcycle charm, and a colorful figural/skater charm. The motorcycle is particularly meaningful alongside the original period photographs of Arlene riding her motorcycle.
DETAILS
• Original 1950s charm bracelet
• Received as a 16th-birthday gift in 1956
• Approximately 7.25 inches long
• Total bracelet weight: approximately 15.10 grams
• Seven dangle charms
• Four heart charms
• Miniature rotary telephone charm with “I LOVE U” dial
• Detailed motorcycle charm
• Figural/skater-style charm with red enamel accents
• Mixed metal construction with 10K gold and 1/20 12K gold-filled components
• Spring-ring clasp marked “1/20 12K” gold filled
• Vintage: Yes
• Original period piece
METAL & CHARM INFORMATION
The bracelet has mixed metal construction with both gold-filled and 10K gold components. The chain/clasp and heart charms bear “1/20 12K” markings, indicating 12K gold-filled construction.
A jeweler identified the rotary telephone charm and motorcycle charm as 10K gold. Each was individually weighed and photographed on the scale:
- 10K rotary telephone charm – approximately 1.96 grams
- 10K motorcycle charm – approximately 1.29 grams
- Combined weight of the two 10K charms – approximately 3.25 grams
One heart charm shown on the scale weighs approximately 1.20 grams. The figural/skater-style charm was not identified as gold and is not being represented as gold.
Please see the listing photographs showing the individual scale weights and the 1/20 12K metal in good vintage condition with surface wear, scratches, patina and other signs of age and previous use consistent with a bracelet dating to the 1950s. The red enamel on the figural/skater charm shows visible age and wear. The bracelet has been preserved with its vintage character intact. Please carefully review all photographs for bracelet belonged to Arlene Kaye and was given to her for her 16th birthday in 1956. She later became Miss IllinoisUSA 1959, with her reign continuing into 1960, andparticipated in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, with the accompanying original period photographs documenting this chapter of her life.
Included among the listing photographs is an official 1959 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant photograph showing Arlene wearing her Miss Illinois sash, along with original period photographs of her riding a motorcycle. These photographs are included to document the bracelet\'s family provenance and the history associated with its original owner.
The bracelet has remained within the family since that period.
PLEASE NOTE
Please carefully review all photographs, including the complete bracelet, individual charms, metal markings, clasp, ruler measurement, scale weights and original period photographs. The photographs are an important part of the description and show the actual bracelet being sold.
More than a beautiful vintage charm bracelet, this is a personal piece of 1950s pageant history — preserved from its original owner and accompanied by remarkable family provenance connecting it to Miss Illinois and the Miss Universe pageant era. An elegant and distinctive collectible ready to carry its story into a new chapter.
