Your finds!
Wed, 2008-08-20 18:57
#1
Your finds!
Wed, 2008-08-20 18:57
#2
Prompted by a good idea by M. Spector, I've decided to open a thread about those weird little discoveries that you get from time to time, be they online, through auction, passed down, found in a garbage heap, etc.
I have a pretty good collection of weird stuff for a person of 20-something. So far, I have a Selectric II type-writer that I am in love with, I picked it up used a year ago. I used it a lot, I even wrote an assignment on it, much to the chagrin and surprise of my prof. I've also found a book by a rabble contributor (I'll post more on that later) in a garbage heap. I found an old Mac SE with a "take me" sign on it in an alley. I also found an old projector that I'm refurbishing (slow, slow process for the uninitiated) in a recycling bin at UoT. That was exciting. In my Great Grandma's house I found a very old EA Poe "Gold Bug and Other Stories", as well as a 110 year old psychology text book (but there is a sad story in why I no longer have it).
So, what say you all?
Wed, 2008-08-20 19:00
#3
I found a push button accordian at the dump in amazing condition and really high quality. It is likely worth several hundred dollars. My teenage daughter leaves the room if I play it so every once in a while that moves it into the priceless category when I am apparently particularly stupid in a way only a 13 year old could find
Wed, 2008-08-20 19:02
#4
Oh, I've also built up a sweet collection of Soviet-era recordings on vinyl through yard sales in Toronto. I have a Tchaikovsky record from Melodiya as well as a really sketchy Bandura recording from Soviet Ukraine.
As for your accordion, I am most jealous.
Wed, 2008-08-20 19:22
#5
M. Spector
I went to several garage sales last Saturday and at one I bought three plush baby-toys, the kind that make a noise when you squeeze them, for only ten cents each! My dog loves them.
As if you care.
Wed, 2008-08-20 19:39
#6
quote:
Originally posted by M. Spector:
[b]I went to several garage sales last Saturday and at one I bought three plush baby-toys, the kind that make a noise when you squeeze them, for only ten cents each! My dog loves them.As if you care.[/b]
You have a dog? There's hope for you yet. Dog people are most excellent.
Wed, 2008-08-20 22:21
#7
Boom Boom
I knew a collector in the North Bay area in the 1980s who used to comb through yard sales for old Lionel electric trains, and offer ridiculously low sums for them - 50 cents for something he knew was worth hundreds of dollars. This is before most people learned that Lionel trains are highly prized collectables.
Personally, I've never found anything even remotely interesting at the dump or at yard sales, and I've been to a few in Toronto, and northern Ontario. I think folks now know the value of things, and don't put the more esoteric and valuable stuff out at the dump or yard sales anymore. I'm always surprised to hear folks (like in this thread) still finding interesting stuff.
Thu, 2008-08-21 03:28
#8
Boom Boom
quote:
Originally posted by Papal Bull:
I have a pretty good collection of weird stuff for a person of 20-something.
I'm turning 59 soon, and would really like to downsize more (I've given up a large library of books so far) for the day when I make the final mortgage payment on my house, sell it, and move into either an apartment or a senior's home in the city, eight years from now, or so (I'd love to return to Ottawa). I think I've already promised Caissa a list of my remaining books, but I also have to dispose of about 200 folk and rock cassette tapes, maybe for a buck each. I have a collection of 200 folk/blues LPs which I'll probably give to a folk music museum in Ottawa. I think I'll take my win98 computer to the dump, even though it still works, because I don't need it. I guess I can sell off everything else. I have a small collection of Brooklin 1/43 cast iron model cars which I know I won't get what I paid for (I foolishly didn't keep the original boxes they came in). I'll probably give all my tools to a friend here. When I was a lot younger I collected a lot of stuff - heaven knows why.
Thu, 2008-08-21 04:34
#9
Boom Boom,
I'll meet you in Ottawa when you choose to return. I'd be interested in buying all or part of your folk collection. My best finds at yard sales are old records and books. The university library here was eliminating its record collection and I got several hundred classical and early jazz recordings for a song.
Thu, 2008-08-21 05:29
#10
quote:
Originally posted by Boom Boom:
[b] I have a collection of 200 folk/blues LPs which I'll probably give to a folk music museum in Ottawa. [/b]
There is a folk museum in Ottawa?
I found an old typewriter at an antique show awhile back, which has found a place on top of my bookshelf, along with one of those vintage stampers that were used to imprint seals on company letterhead.
Also, my grandmother passed away about a month ago, so we've been finding all kind of old treasures, including a love poem she kept in her wallet for a few decades from my grandfather who died 30 years ago and an [url=http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=20&t=001986]old family bible.[/url]
[ 21 August 2008: Message edited by: jrose ][url=http://bp1.blogger.com/_oeb7PFSV40A/SEmSeKv6wTI/AAAAAAAAAWI/aeZA2rSwLhY/... is my beloved typewriter.[/url]
[ 21 August 2008: Message edited by: jrose ]
Thu, 2008-08-21 05:37
#11
Boom Boom
quote:
Originally posted by jrose:
There is a folk museum in Ottawa?
My apologies. [url=http://www.ottawafolklore.com/main.asp]This[/url] is what I meant.
Thu, 2008-08-21 05:43
#12
quote:
Originally posted by Boom Boom:
[b]My apologies. [url=http://www.ottawafolklore.com/main.asp]This[/url] is what I meant.[/b]
Oh, I miss the Ottawa Folklore Centre! That was actually right at the end of my street when I lived in Ottawa. I used to wander up there all the time just to watch musicians plucking away and to check out what they had in stock, even though I'm not a musician myself.
Thu, 2008-08-21 05:45
#13
Boom Boom
quote:
Originally posted by Caissa:
[b]Boom Boom,I'll meet you in Ottawa when you choose to return. I'd be interested in buying all or part of your folk collection. My best finds at yard sales are old records and books. The university library here was eliminating its record collection and I got several hundred classical and early jazz recordings for a song.[/b]
I'd consider trading my folk albums (or books) for a nice new or slightly used lightweight mountain bike - if anyone is interested. Or, both the books and albums for a lightweight road bike and a lightweight mountain bike, new or used, don't matter. [img]smile.gif" border="0[/img]
[ 21 August 2008: Message edited by: Boom Boom ]
Thu, 2008-08-21 06:07
#14
jrose, I have one of those typewriters at my workplace! It is a display piece, but nonetheless, the same make.
[ 21 August 2008: Message edited by: Papal Bull ]
Thu, 2008-08-21 06:14
#15
quote:
Originally posted by Papal Bull:
[b]jrose, I have one of those typewriters at my workplace! It is a display piece, but nonetheless, the same make.[ 21 August 2008: Message edited by: Papal Bull ][/b]
Very cool. Mine is just for show, as well. It was nice and cheap because the keys stick, but I think that's fixable. It's usually one of the first things people ask about when they enter my apartment.
Thu, 2008-08-21 07:56
#16
Have you been able to find ink for it? I like the Selectric because it has text-balls which allow you to have multiple fonts (I have collected 4 so far and am looking for more). Underwoods are really nice typewriters, a little hard on the fingers, but the sound when you slam the bar back is just so rewarding.
Seriously, screw computers. I so much prefer typing on a typewriter. Far more involved and more tactile. Really makes you feel connected to what you're doing.
Thu, 2008-08-21 08:12
#17
You're definitely right about that. I do hope to get it up and running at some point. I haven't taken a look for ink, but thanks for the suggestion. [img]smile.gif" border="0[/img]
Thu, 2008-08-21 09:52
#18
I inherited a beautiful, working condition Singer 354 Genie from my sister somewhere around 1979 when she upgraded her machine. It made some cool sun dresses and tube tops in time for the anti-discos of that era. A Singer Centre once tried to get it off me on a trade in...for nothing! Uh, no.
Thu, 2008-08-21 13:09
#19
scott
I found a computer by the side of the road earlier this week. Pentium 4 2.3GHz with an 80gig drive. Not too shabby. The onboard video was blown. I popped in a spare and we are in business. [img]smile.gif" border="0[/img] Soon to have Kubuntu on it.