What did you buy recently?

Judgement Day

These days I'm in pretty well in constant sale mode but every once in a while I see a 'must have' and today it was this Black and White ashtray. I collect most things to do with B&W and have quite a collection. I've been fortunate to be given some items and have never paid much for anything in my B&W collection and today was no different. €3 in a local charity shop and not a blemish, crazing or any defect - and best of all it's Irish - made at the late lamented Arklow Pottery. So come on, let's be having your stories of finds - there must be some judging by the 58,000+ views on the Car Boot Sale Thread.

Judgement Day

Come on guys and gals - 43 views and no comments or posts of purchases - I'm not going to do the usual thing of filling the thread with my own posts!

Danco

Hi Judgement Day, cool thread.

I bought a circular bronze P&T sign two weeks ago along with a selection of P&T and GPO telegraph insulators (6 in all). I've been after one of the signs for years and I finally found someone willing to part with one. It wasn't cheap, but I was happy with the price (€150). It's a heavy 12" sign that would have been on the outside of a post office or a P&T yard. When I finally have my own place it'll be going up on my wall and never coming down, I love it!

All but one of the insulators were €10 each, they're all different and apart from a few cobwebs they're all in perfect shape. I also bought an old postman's P&T cap badge on ebay a few weeks back for the princely sum of €6.50 incl. postage, delighted with that one!

I've never posted photos on boards, but I'll see if I can rustle a few up later on.

Judgement Day

I love postal stuff myself and I used to have one of these P&T enamel signs, which warned people against throwing stones at the insulators. Mine was brand new and was found in a derelict shed at Newcastle West railway station in the late 1980's. Alas I parted with it many years ago but you still see them in 'Oirish' theme pubs.

citizen_p

telegraph insulators, like this?


€10 a piece, nice, found a couple of them in a shed a few months back, hopfully they are were I left them.

my latest purchase
a rare ww1 sketch book

Judgement Day

Mousey - a very PC booklet - excellent stuff!

Danco

Mousey- wrote: »

telegraph insulators, like this?


€10 a piece, nice, found a couple of them in a shed a few months back, hopfully they are were I left them.

One of mine is like that, it's brown but a slightly different shape. The others are all white ceramic, one has P&T printed on it and two others have P&T stamped on them. The other two have GPO stamped on them. I got them all from one very friendly seller and I'm really pleased with them. I reckon 6 insulators is probably enough for now though.

That sketch book is pretty cool too, where did it come from?

Danco

Judgement Day wrote: »

I love postal stuff myself and I used to have one of these P&T enamel signs, which warned people against throwing stones at the insulators. Mine was brand new and was found in a derelict shed at Newcastle West railway station in the late 1980's. Alas I parted with it many years ago but you still see them in 'Oirish' theme pubs.

I'd love one of these alright, but they're probably out of my price range. For the forseeable future anyway. What a great find though, I'd say it's rare enough to find one that wasn't left hanging out in the elements.

citizen_p

Danco wrote: »

One of mine is like that, it's brown but a slightly different shape. The others are all white ceramic, one has P&T printed on it and two others have P&T stamped on them. The other two have GPO stamped on them. I got them all from one very friendly seller and I'm really pleased with them. I reckon 6 insulators is probably enough for now though.

That sketch book is pretty cool too, where did it come from?

Oh I wasn't trying to sell them to you, I just didn't realise they were worth much, might try flog them.

I got the book on Ebay, But it seems quite rare, printed in around 1914-1915 South Africa. I think there was only one edition and it seems quite rare. The campaign the sketches are about had only about 1300 casualties in all, which is miniscule compared to the larger war in europe.

heres the Introduction, the last line shows the war is still well underway...

Introduction

In submitting this collection of original sketches dealing with the experiences of the Defence Force troops in the recent campaign in German South-West Africa, the Argus Printing and Publishing Company, feel sure that they will be appreciated, not only by the men who served under General Botha’s banner, but by everyone interested in the welfare and advancement of the Union and the Empire. The sketches are the work of Mr. W.H. Kirby, who was the artist for the “Sporting Star” until the outbreak of the war, and whose work is well known to dwellers in Johannesburg and on the Reef, and was an outstanding feature in the Saturday night issues of that popular paper. Mr Kirby joined the Natal Light Horse at the beginning of the trouble, and went through the Rebellion and the G.S.-W.A. campaign, being wounded in the Gibeon fight. Latterly the N.L.H. formed part of the 9th Mounted Brigade. ver shortly Mr Kirby hopes to be "doing his bit" in Europe.

also There were a few newspaper clippings inside from witness newspaper (south african) from november 1914, so the seller didn't even look through it...

Judgement Day

I collect anything to do with my family history - photos, books, ephemera - and I regularly trawl eBay.com and eBay.co.uk with the various family names. Both the surnames - Cattley and Lett - are quite unusual which helps with searching but obviously reduces the amount of possible material out there. I have so many eBay searches set to email me when anything appears that the family ones are not included. It was a spur of the moment decision to have a trawl last thing before putting the laptop away some days ago that brought my latest find.

This 1923 handbill for the singer Phyllis Lett - a cousin of my grandfather - cost me the princely sum of £2.98 including p+p and is the best picture of my distant relative that I've yet come across. It's an unlikely survivor but will look really well when it's framed.



So, come on, lets have some more contributions to the thread!

Judgement Day

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm mostly in sell mode these days but weaken every so often and my latest purchase was a film poster for a best forgotten movie that was shot in Ireland - "The Violent Enemy" (1967). I had been considering buying a different poster of the same movie on Amazon but at €65 including p+p I had baulked, when up popped the one shown below on eBay and I managed to get it for €31.50 incl.p+p. Not a thing of beauty but it is of local (Enniscorthy) interest and that's what does it for me. The movie itself is worth watching but only for diehard Irish movie buffs and is now available on DVD. A word of warning, when buying what you consider a valuable item on eBay insist on registered mail - the poster was poorly packed and got damp in transit but not enough to damage it. Posted by a seller with loads of positive feedback.

Blade

I just bought this on ebay, haven't got it yet but. Seems to have been struck on a proof-like white metal planchet. Wasn't exactly cheap but it's for my personal collection and quite unique:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320790240528

Gun_money

Looks nice.
Could it possibly be plated? bought an Irish 10ct coin "white Metal" also, when I got it I scraped the edge and it was a plated coin. The rim knocks and the strings in the harp don't sit well.

Let us know when you get it.

Blade wrote: »

I just bought this on ebay, haven't got it yet but. Seems to have been struck on a proof-like white metal planchet. Wasn't exactly cheap but it's for my personal collection and quite unique:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320790240528

Blade

Gun_money wrote: »

Looks nice.
Could it possibly be plated? bought an Irish 10ct coin "white Metal" also, when I got it I scraped the edge and it was a plated coin. The rim knocks and the strings in the harp don't sit well.

Let us know when you get it.

If it's plated, I'll send it straight back. However I don't think it is as I don't think you'd get that proof like look from a plated coin. Also the seller seems respectable enough and should know what it is. It is a bit edgy alright but sure what can you do, I've not seen one like it before so didn't want to pass it up. I've got other wrong metal Irish coins but not proof-like.

I think I know where you got that 10c "white metal" coin and I knew immediately it was plated as the seller on ebay had **** loads of other coins all "white metal" which of course is highly suspicious!

francomcdaddy

I Would have to agreed with you on ebay. Its registered post or nothing! An post regular mess up. Last week I ordered some 19th century brass etc. and the sorting machine apparently ripped the top and out they fell. This was what I was told when an empty envelope arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!

zimmermania

Just arrived today a solid silver wine lable or bottle lable with its chain about 2 .5 inhes long by 1.5 inches high made by j m in dublin in 1970.What makes this unusual is that instead of wine,port,sherry etc this one has"kiddush" stamped on the face,that means it was used on a sweet wine bottle used in a cermony that takes place on fridays before the sabbath should be of interest to jewish collectors.Got it on ebay.

Wibbs

A French Lip Nautic divers watch from 1967, the first electronic(not quartz) divers watch model made. A couple of Neanderthal stone tools, one close to 100,000 years old. I think it may just be an antique...

Jagdtiger

Wibbs wrote: »

A couple of Neanderthal stone tools, one close to 100,000 years old. I think it may just be an antique...

Where would one pick those up?

zimmermania

Jagdtiger wrote: »

Where would one pick those up?

Theres a guy on ebay username merddy who sells metal detector finds on a regular basis,dont know whether stuff is good or bad he is from the north of ireland.

Wibbs

Jagdtiger wrote: »

Where would one pick those up?

My collection I've picked them up over the years from all over the places. Old style auctions, fossil/rock shops and even collected a couple off the ground myself way back in the day(in France on holidays as a kid). These days ebay and other online sites can come up with the goods. Have to be careful of fakes as per usual on ebay and they do occur. There's one guy offloading a huge amount of so called early paleolithic (home erectus) cobble tools which are completely bogus, but easy to make. Luckily it's relatively easy to spot modern reproductions, if you know what you're looking for(design, flint patina, correct hinge fractures etc).

Generally pretty cheap as collectables. Handaxes for 50-100 quid as an example or less for North African examples(really easy to spot in the desert). Amazing considering the age involved and that something that was a human but not us made them. Though they were produced in their countless numbers. Really fine ones, European or UK ones go for very much more. I've noticed the good stuff climbing in value and I reckon they're gonna climb more and more as these ancient sites are more and more protected(rightfully). Neandertal stuff in particular, as compared to other hominid stuff they're generally rarer. They were always a small enough number in the landscape compared to us.

zimmermania wrote: »

Theres a guy on ebay username merddy who sells metal detector finds on a regular basis,dont know whether stuff is good or bad he is from the north of ireland.

Being from Ireland, his would be modern homo sapiens tools, neolithic and mesolithic as there is no evidence(so far) of more ancient paleolithic Neandertal or Erectus man here. He does have such tools from time to time alright.

Personally I try to collect items from old collections, rather than "new" stuff. If nothing else there may be legal issues involved. France, Germany and Spain have very strict guidelines for collecting in the field restricted to professionals. You usually get much more provenance attached too, which is important for both potential value and science. One job lot I got at an auction in the UK was a collection of Neandertal stone tools from a known area in France collected by a French priest over many years(in the 1940's and 50's. Small in number(ten tools), but with some important pieces and provenance. After paying commission that little lot cost me under 20 pounds. Today? Maybe add a zero for a couple of the items and nigh on a grand for the lot.

Blade

Wibbs if you have any pics handy, lash them up here, interesting stuff. I have some flint stone knives/cutting tools, that's about it.

Wibbs

Ok ye asked for it... :) here's a few examples;

First up is a French Mousterian(Neandertal) handaxe or Biface. Circa 100,000 years old. Highly unusual as in the base(bottom of the pic) is a natural hollow that was knapped around specifically for some purpose or other. It has traces of a black substance that may be birch pine "glue" to secure something. Around 120 cms long.



Second is another French biface(worked on both sides) this time a scraper. In this ones case there is a natural occlusion in the rock which again seems to be retained symmetrically for some reason. In the flesh it really stands out. Looks like an "eye". Again around 120 cms long. I try to seek out pieces that may be examples of symbolic/figurative thinking in non sapiens humans.



Here's another French unifacial but double edged scraper, not in flint this time, but quartzite. A real hard bugger to work. Circa 90,000 years old. Likely hafted in wood at the pointy end. A very rare item in Neandertal assemblages.



Next is a really lovely, nay textbook example of a levallois point. Secondary retouch all the way around. Point still present. 80cms long



Here a mix of german/french pieces, two scrapers and one point/blade again using the levallois technique. The one on the left is as pristine as the day it was made over 50,000 years ago. You can see every strike of the guy who made it. The one on the right is cool from the point of view of the technique involved, but I won't bore ye(more:D) with the details. The point in the middle looks like a spearpoint, but the guy actually added a finger grip with further retouching so it sits in the hand like a knife. Right hand too. A good chunk of my Neandertal stuff seems to aimed at lefties. Lefties and ginger? That's a paddlin(speaking as one). That said a ginger citeog with twice the strength of a world champion cage fighter? I reckon let them away with it...


Hope the formatting works out

Blade

Wibbs wrote: »

Ok ye asked for it... :) here's a few examples;

Thanks

Wibbs wrote: »

First up is a French Mousterian(Neandertal) handaxe or Biface. Circa 100,000 years old. Highly unusual as in the base(bottom of the pic) is a natural hollow that was knapped around specifically for some purpose or other. It has traces of a black substance that may be birch pine "glue" to secure something. Around 120 cms long.

Is this not a spear head??

Wibbs wrote: »

Next is a really lovely, nay textbook example of a levallois point. Secondary retouch all the way around. Point still present. 80cms long

This is like the ones I have, which I presumed were some sort of knife/cutting tool, what exactly is a 'levallois point'?

Wibbs

Blade wrote: »

Is this not a spear head??

Nah, too bulky. It's a so called 'handaxe', though they've no real idea what they were for. Multi use butchering tools, status symbols, supply of high quality flint for blades or all or none of the above.

This is like the ones I have, which I presumed were some sort of knife/cutting tool, what exactly is a 'levallois point'?

Now that one was a spear head. The knives/cutting tools would look like the three I posted at the bottom. Sorry the levallois technique is a form of flint tool production. Here's a good explanation http://www3.hf.uio.no/sarc/iakh/lithic/LEV/Lev.html

zimmermania

Bought a nice little sace ladle,silver made by Gibson of Cork around 1800,a nice bright cut design.

sonofthegun

Judgement Day wrote: »

I love postal stuff

i recently pick up an vintage cast iron post box that it is painted the an post green but bears the V.R symbol from when the queen still ruled how old would this be or where could i get some info on it any pointers would be appriciated
stog

Blade

sonofthegun wrote: »

i recently pick up an vintage cast iron post box that it is painted the an post green but bears the V.R symbol from when the queen still ruled how old would this be or where could i get some info on it any pointers would be appriciated
stog

The information might be in this book, though I don't have a copy so not sure if it lists all the different types. You might be able to pick up a copy in the GPO. http://www.irishstamps.ie/shop/p-890-the-irish-post-box-silent-servant-and-symbol-of-the-state.aspx

Judgement Day

As Blade says the Irish Postal Box book would be a good one but possibly the two below would be even better. There was a wide variety of wall and lamp boxes produced from 1850 onwards and a Queen Victoria one would date from 1850/1901. If you post a pic here it might be possible to pin down the date with a bit more certainty.

zimmermania

Just got delivery of a very nice sterling silver bowl (bought on adverts .ie)weighs 25.4 ounces brand new in its original box.I do not know much about modern silver so i cant say when it was made .Tiffany use a system of numbers to date thei silver and the number on my bowl is 25207.

zimmermania

Bought a metal sign Murphys from the wood is good,its from the 60s.Ihave not seen it yet a friend collected it for me,i got it from an ad on adverts.ie €25 seems a good bargain.A friend picked it up in Drogheda and he will drop it to me next week.The funny thing is i rang him to pick it up and pay for itit and i told him very little about it,then he rings me to say he got it and infoms me in a surprised tone that "its not new" lol.

Blade

Gun_money wrote: »

Looks nice.
Could it possibly be plated? bought an Irish 10ct coin "white Metal" also, when I got it I scraped the edge and it was a plated coin. The rim knocks and the strings in the harp don't sit well.

Let us know when you get it.

Turned out it was plated after all, oh well. I sent it back and now waiting for a refund. I left it for ages cause of the holidays and wanted to get a jeweler to double check it for me. Like me he suspected straight away from the colour showing through but said the next thing was checking the weight as white metal would be a lot lighter. He knew from the weight in his hand so didn't need any further tests. Fingers crossed he will actually refund me as I left it too long to put any paypal claim in.

dmcronin

zimmermania wrote: »

Bought a metal sign Murphys from the wood is good,its from the 60s.Ihave not seen it yet a friend collected it for me,i got it from an ad on adverts.ie €25 seems a good bargain.A friend picked it up in Drogheda and he will drop it to me next week.The funny thing is i rang him to pick it up and pay for itit and i told him very little about it,then he rings me to say he got it and infoms me in a surprised tone that "its not new" lol.

There's A LOT of repros floating about, esp. on fleabay. I noted one Irish-based seller flogging waaaay overpriced tat of late, pandering to the 'Oirish' memorabilia market in the US. 'Tin signs' with all manner of stuff printed on them are as common as coal at car boot sales along with those knocked off 40/ cast iron railway ones.

Judgement Day

dmcronin wrote: »

There's A LOT of repros floating about, esp. on fleabay. I noted one Irish-based seller flogging waaaay overpriced tat of late, pandering to the 'Oirish' memorabilia market in the US. 'Tin signs' with all manner of stuff printed on them are as common as coal at car boot sales along with those knocked off 40/ cast iron railway ones.

Very true and worthy of a thread of its own. The amount of fake railway signs on the market has mushroomed recently - some very obvious, some not so.

zimmermania

dmcronin wrote: »

There's A LOT of repros floating about, esp. on fleabay. I noted one Irish-based seller flogging waaaay overpriced tat of late, pandering to the 'Oirish' memorabilia market in the US. 'Tin signs' with all manner of stuff printed on them are as common as coal at car boot sales along with those knocked off 40/ cast iron railway ones.

Yeah the one i bought is an "old " repro,it did not cost a lot.I have avery nice original railway 40 shilling cast iron sign that i got more than 30 years ago

ladhrann

Blade wrote: »

Turned out it was plated after all, oh well. I sent it back and now waiting for a refund. I left it for ages cause of the holidays and wanted to get a jeweler to double check it for me. Like me he suspected straight away from the colour showing through but said the next thing was checking the weight as white metal would be a lot lighter. He knew from the weight in his hand so didn't need any further tests. Fingers crossed he will actually refund me as I left it too long to put any paypal claim in.

Just for your information a claim may still be made via your credit card provider. Also beware of buying anything described as white metal, as there is no obligation on the seller over metal content. White metal as a term has no standing, which is precisely why it is used for items without a hallmark.

Blade

ladhrann wrote: »

Just for your information a claim may still be made via your credit card provider. Also beware of buying anything described as white metal, as there is no obligation on the seller over metal content. White metal as a term has no standing, which is precisely why it is used for items without a hallmark.

Ah yes I know that but it was sorted out amicably in the end. As regards the term white metal, I know it's used for silver looking items without hallmarks and of unknown metal content, but this was an old Irish copper Penny that was clearly plated in silver which as a coin dealer he should have known. It's different in numismatics as the normal metal content of coins is known.

Judgement Day

I have added several more nice Irish film posters to my collection since my earlier post and the most recent which arrived today only cost me a paltry $18.00 including p+p from the USA! "The Night Fighters" aka "A Terrible Beauty" (1960) was an early IRA movie starring Robert Mitchum. I've never seen the movie and it doesn't seem to be available anywhere but I was attracted by its strong colour and vibrancy which my pic only hints at. It's going to look great when framed and all I need now is to track down a copy of the movie itself.

dmcronin

Judgement Day wrote: »

I have added several more nice Irish film posters to my collection since my earlier post and the most recent which arrived today only cost me a paltry $18.00 including p+p from the USA! "The Night Fighters" aka "A Terrible Beauty" (1960) was an early IRA movie starring Robert Mitchum. I've never seen the movie and it doesn't seem to be available anywhere but I was attracted by its strong colour and vibrancy which my pic only hints at. It's going to look great when framed and all I need now is to track down a copy of the movie itself.

Hmm, 'Ryan's Daughter' with killing spree ending?