The Antique Thread

[Bebs]

Top man!

I have some 1970 port and it's bloody gorgeous. Down to the last bottle from a full case. So far I haven't dropped any, despite enthusiastic and heroic consumption. Replenishment will be a costly business.

Love port, have a few cases of 70 Cockburn left, great vintage.

 

[Hurricane52]

I completely realise this will trigger the mandatory **** taking. Ra ra here here blah blah and all that (to confirm I’m a very working class Northerner!)

However I have to admit to having an interest in the old, history and objects.

So how’s about showcasing your interesting old objects? I mean we drive Maserati’s so there’s gotta be a touch of ‘class’ within us all right?

Todays find for me, a very old stage coach journey flyer from the Horse and Griffin in Whitby (still open to this day).

A 14 day journey to London. 1794. “All last wills should be made before departure”!

View attachment 98604

Love that. Bought this for SWMBO but had to buy the house to match. Still, it meant I could keep the Maseratis.

 

[Bebs]

Wow, so you tracked the same bottle down? What an unusual start to your career, did you have a disaster with your A levels or had you decided to follow someone’s advice about doing something interesting with your life? I am being nosey!

No the 1924 Laroze was a present from the Danish Baron that owned the castle. I’ve kept it since for sentimental reasons.
I didn’t go to school in the U.K. so have no A levels.
I’m Danish and did all my schooling in Denmark before moving to the U.K. in 1988 on a gap year.. was at the right place/right time to get a junior position at Christie’s wine department and the rest is history.. I never moved back to Denmark. Still here and was even given indefinite leave to stay after Brexit (let’s not start on that)
Britain has become my home and I’m grateful for all the opportunities it has offered me.
That’s probably enough about me here though!

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

Rene Lalique 1920s/1930s car mascots for me...

Two examples from my former pre-divorce collection here - Tete de Paon (Peacock Head), these would have been mounted as a radiator cap and lit from below sometimes the lamp connected to the dynamo so got brighter the faster you went! Very expensive and fashionable car accessory in the day. Gradually rebuilding the full collection of 29 mascots with several variants of many to also acquire. View attachment 98605

Thanks for mentioning this. I'm a bit culture starved way out here on the edge of the universe.
But, when I travel again, I'll keep a weather eye open for his work. Exquisite.

 

[Ryandoc]

Love that. Bought this for SWMBO but had to buy the house to match. Still, it meant I could keep the Maseratis.View attachment 98609

There’s something about the old printing press style that’s pleasing to look at!

 

[allandwf]

Three Japanese snuff bottles an old lady gave to me , which her father who was in the navy brought home. Will try and post pics soon. Don't really know where to have them valued

 

[Hurricane52]

There’s something about the old printing press style that’s pleasing to look at!

This is my press. The first iron printing press gifted to the world by Earl Stanhope. He wanted to spread information freely, much like Tim Berners Lee.

I printed my CV on this when I was a kid, which led to a job, eventually leading to pretty cars.

 

[happydaze]

I like mine - it has wheels (1923 Vauxhall)...

 

[Harry]

Three Japanese snuff bottles an old lady gave to me , which her father who was in the navy brought home. Will try and post pics soon. Don't really know where to have them valued

There is an excellent collection in the museum in Preston, if you are interested in researching snuff bottles.

 

[happydaze]

This is my press. The first iron printing press gifted to the world by Earl Stanhope. He wanted to spread information freely, much like Tim Berners Lee.

I printed my CV on this when I was a kid, which led to a job, eventually leading to pretty cars.View attachment 98611

You really must mind your 'p's & 'q's...

 

[Ryandoc]

This is my press. The first iron printing press gifted to the world by Earl Stanhope. He wanted to spread information freely, much like Tim Berners Lee.

I printed my CV on this when I was a kid, which led to a job, eventually leading to pretty cars.View attachment 98611

Hold on that’s actually yours? Jeez I was expecting some nice things but that’s brilliant! How on earth did you get your hands on that?

 

[Felonious Crud]

I frequent a forum populated by crusty old fossils and many attitudes from yesteryear.

Does that count?

 

[Ryandoc]

I frequent a forum populated by crusty old fossils and many attitudes from yesteryear.

Does that count?

Sssssh remember the first rule about Sports Maserati …… don’t talk about……

 

[zagatoes30]

Not got anything that old, a bottle of 1960 Madeira and other than that my stamp collection which consists of British commemorative issues almost a complete set from early 20s to the late 70s when I stopped collecting most in mint never used condition. My aunt use to run a house clearance / junk / antiques shop and in one old chest of drawers there were sheets of 1950 & 1960s stamps which were the start of my collection. I still have some full sheets but I remember auntie ripping sheets up and giving all the nieces and nephews a couple of each.

 

[safrane]

Should post a photo of Charlotte given our age gap!

 

[RoaryRati]

Love that. Bought this for SWMBO but had to buy the house to match. Still, it meant I could keep the Maseratis.View attachment 98609

Not sure - but a distant cousin may have owned that back in the 20's/30's - my Mum came from Cardigan - her Dad was a doctor there.

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

This is my press. The first iron printing press gifted to the world by Earl Stanhope. He wanted to spread information freely, much like Tim Berners Lee.

I printed my CV on this when I was a kid, which led to a job, eventually leading to pretty cars.View attachment 98611

What would be the modern equivalent? The VPN?
Charles, 3rd Earl Stanhope led a very interesting life. Here's a tiny example. Stanhope Printing Press
It is said that he never sought a patent. Preferring to make it available to all. And it was taken up by
printing press makers in most developed nations during the 1800's.
When I saw this wonderful piece of machinery, I immediately thought of the ordinary Russians who know
that they are being lied to and use VPNs to try to get access to impartial news from outside Russia.
Because there is no impartial news inside Russia.

To anyone who ever asks if history is relevant to today's events. Here is your answer.

 

[Tallman]

I don’t have much - mostly family antiques like a 1930’s linnen cupboard (my Gran‘s wedding present) and a nice set of 11 Biedermeier dining chairs made of Honduran Mahogany - I suspect this must have been 12 at some stage. All in daily use as well! Oh and a magnum 1948 KWV Port that I don’t dare open but should be in excellent condition. With people changing furniture all the time antiques seem to have gone out of fashion and are not of interest to younger generations which is a pity as they were built to last and we are now in the made in China **** era.

 

[hashluck]

I absolutely love those. The mascots at the Schlumpf collection are very interesting.

Great place to visit the Schlumpf. If you go again it is not too far to the Musee Lalique - my collection was on display there for many years from the opening of the Museum to 2018 and we also pulled together this exhibition. It is nice some of my pieces (including the Longchamp Horse Head seen here) became postcards etc in the Musee shop.

https://www.musee-lalique.com/en/discover/temporary-exhibitions/2016-lalique-and-art-travel

 

[Hurricane52]

Hold on that’s actually yours? Jeez I was expecting some nice things but that’s brilliant! How on earth did you get your hands on that?

I’ve had it over 30 years - a gift from my friend who taught me how to print letterpress. I’ve moved it twice - big job. I hope one or both of my teenage sons will want to learn at some point, but that may be wishful thinking.