Mystery Wall Plaque to Repurposed Coat/Key Rack/Wall Hook

I had no idea what this phrase meant when I bought this plaque at an estate sale, but...I bought it anyway. 75% off $4 at an estate sale. A buck? I think so!

Here's what I found when I researched it a little.

Wikipedia:

Illegitimi non carborundum is a mock-Latinaphorism meaning "Don't let the bastards grind you down". Carborundum, also known as silicon carbide, is an industrial abrasive material, but its name resembles a Latingerundive.

History

The phrase originated during World War II.Lexicographer Eric Partridge attributes it to British army intelligence very early in the war (using the plural dative/ablative illegitimis). The phrase was adopted by US Army general"Vinegar" Joe Stillwell as his motto during the war.^[1] It was later further popularized in the US by 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater.^[2]

The phrase is also used as the first line of one of the extra cod Latin verses added in 1953 to an unofficial school song at Harvard University: Ten Thousand Men of Harvard. This, the most frequently played Fight song of the Harvard Marching Band, is, to some extent, a parody of more solemn school songs like "Fair Harvard thy sons to your Jubilee throng" etc. The first verse goes:

Illegitimum non carborundum;

Domine salvum fac.

Illegitimum non carborundum;

Domine salvum fac.

Gaudeamus igitur!

Veritas non sequitur?

Illegitimum non carborundum—ipso facto!^[3]

The phrase is also used as part of a student painted crest on the bottom floor of Hodge Hall at Princeton Theological Seminary.

A wooden plaque bearing the phrase sits prominently on the desk of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner.^[4]

I never intended to sell anything with the word bastard on it...but I'll do it this one time since research is required to know what it means. ;-)

The gold lettering was already aged & beautifully faded, so I just gave it a drink of Amish Wood Milk, couple coats of Zinser shellac & screwed in two antique salvaged brass, crusty, beautifully patina'd hooks.

Another pic of the goodness? ...Okay!

Onto the next!