I’ve read about the lapel buttonhole (there to hold flowers or decorative pins) but I’ve been unable to figure out what did Wittgenstein used to carry there and why he needed it secured to his jacket in that way. Doesn’t look like a fountain pen to me. Any pointers? - ThreadSky

remisramos.bsky.social • 83 days ago

I’ve read about the lapel buttonhole (there to hold flowers or decorative pins) but I’ve been unable to figure out what did Wittgenstein used to carry there and why he needed it secured to his jacket in that way. Doesn’t look like a fountain pen to me. Any pointers?

Comments

kblackphd.bsky.social•82 days ago

Pocket tool for cigars and pipes.

skepticmuse.bsky.social•83 days ago

Curious. The state of the buttonhole (actually torn a bit) shows whatever it is was there a lot, and possibly that it's heavy. Any chance it is a pair of glasses or a monocle? Don't see them in any pictures, but... What would have a leash-like strap with a buckle?

waveorwater.bsky.social•83 days ago

My best guess would a lapel vase or a flower holder clip of some sort. Odd-loking if that would be the case I might add..

komadori.bsky.social•83 days ago

I wonder if he had a pocket watch. If you don't wear a waistcoat, that would probably be a safer pocket to keep it in than jacket or trouser pockets.

remisramos.bsky.social•83 days ago

I’ve been obsessing about this all day and I think the pocket watch theory is the best one so far.

komadori.bsky.social•83 days ago

ditto... Trying to interpret the photo is so frustrating. Is the black ?oval a semi-precious stone in a metal mount, or is that a buckle with a strap running through it? And is the slightly hooked thing the tongue of a leather strap, or something hard like a piece of horn...? 🤔🤯

philosophypills.bsky.social•83 days ago

A pocket whistle? Interesting how many curious things go unnoticed.

remisramos.bsky.social•83 days ago

I remember reading about this years ago on Twitter, and there was mention of a kind of pipe-cleaning gadget, but I don't think such an object would be carried around in such a visible, almost decorative way.

remisramos.bsky.social•83 days ago

BTW went back to check and... it was on a twitter post that I did post, and then forgot about until today https://x.com/remisramosc/status/1573861766051799040

philosophypills.bsky.social•83 days ago

And I forgot that I retweeted your tweet.

beanhauer.bsky.social•83 days ago

Cigar tool

protexblue.bsky.social•83 days ago

I wish I could shed some light on this incredibly niche question, but I'm just here for the theories. 🫠

komadori.bsky.social•83 days ago

I cannot speak thereof... ... ...
😬🤐

remisramos.bsky.social•83 days ago

I've found only this forum discussion, with no conclusive answer. https://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/threads/wittgensteins-jacket.126124/

remisramos.bsky.social•83 days ago

The object is also in other pictures, and there's a picture of Ludwig strolling on a street accompanied by another man who seems to have a similar contraption but *also* a fountain pen.

protexblue.bsky.social•83 days ago

To the best of my knowledge, the man with Wittgenstein here is his confidante and romantic partner David Pinsent. But to answer this mystery of Wittgenstein’s lapel, we need to bring in the big guns. Ray Monk, his biographer, may help. @raymodraco.bsky.social

remisramos.bsky.social•83 days ago

The museum page where I got the picture states: "Francis Skinner and Ludwig Wittgenstein walking along a street in Cambridge, with handwritten note from Wittgenstein to Ludwig Hänsel on the reverse: This pretty photo shows me + a friend on a street in Cambridge"
https://www.leopoldmuseum.org/en/exhibitions/122/ludwig-wittgenstein

keithwilson.eu•83 days ago

A pocket knife, perhaps?

remisramos.bsky.social•83 days ago

I doubt so. Given that it's tied to the jacket (and hence, something to be used regularly and close to his face), it could be something like a magnifying glass or a monocle, but I haven't seen any hint of Wittgenstein ever using visual aids.

protexblue.bsky.social•83 days ago

In fairness to @keithwilson.eu it does look like a pocket knife.
That said, Wittgenstein was an unconventional fella; unconventional answers could be the way here.

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply