I always keep an eye out for Ballantine cans and related items, which for me are forever wed to Jasper Johns and so feel sort of like art objects themselves. I believe this clever hand-shaped bottle opener dates to the 1930s, and I think might have been made specifically to the 1933 Chicago Wold's Fair, where Ballantine had a significant presence. It is a bit hard to see but "Chicago" is impressed on the reverse side at the very bottom. The three intersecting rings of the logo, invented in 1879, stand for Purity, Body, and Flavor. These continued to be produced for some years I believe, most I have seen stamped New Jersey.
Plenty rusted, surely this has waved down a few bottles, but has plenty more in it. 4 3/16" x 1 9/16".
