variations

November 3, 2012 by

FOOD for thought about variations… What constitutes a variation ?? How does it affect my collecting !!!

 

SINGULAR VARIATIONS

Take an escargot for instance, there are so many varaitions that we may not think about it, yet there you are !! On the other hand there are nuances to the different variations themselves that can be quite intriguing. I was just looking at two similar escargots. Both with the high back, flat knop developed by DeCourcy. One is clearly his and stamped so on it. The other the knop is taller and slightly different. Also it is stamped REGAL which may not be among his stamps, yet I have two now….. hmmmm….. perhaps somebody else used his design ?? Perhaps there is another maker to research I don't know about ??  On the other hand the construction is more primitive and could be an older one of his…. hmmmmm….. tasty huh ??

METROPOLITAN VARIATIONS

Another area of interest are all those police whistles, and especially those Metropolitans. You know, one through ad infinitum. Well anyway all that aside, let's start with an MP3 with cast top and mouthpiece. Perhaps you find one with a cast top and a possibly replaced 'rolled' mouthpiece. Might have been original or replaced while refurbishing — soon after it fell off !! OR the top and bottom have been replaced during an overhaul. OR it slipped by and wasn't stamped with numbers, enscribed down the back —either/or…. and now what would have been one whistle has become half a dozen and a micro study of that period of whistle making in the early 1880s. Delicious huh ??

MODEL VARIATIONS

TheN there are model varaitions from one to four sizes. Some collectors like to search for all of them to 'complete' their collections. Fun if not too revealing i guess. Almost have to have those catalogs to know, or perhaps the surprise when they come in the mail or find one at a boot sale that is smaller or better yet – JUMBO !!!! Big enough to take a bite out of !!!

well, thought you might be up for an afternoon snack. Now you can dip back into the refrigerator for a clsoer look at what you have been storing away.

Filed Under: Spotlight Research

PURITY

November 3, 2012 by

Well, it is official now. The collection has become corrupted….

Found a really great horn whislte, flat with dual chambers. Circa 1900 or earlier. That's three NON – METAL whistles now… oops, over the top …… Add to this one the huge curved horn whistle with silver clad top and bottom and the really interesting 'Gillies' whistle from Scotland made from antler and clad in the middle with silver and scrolling —  well you have the picture. I've lost all purity with metal only. What's next ?? Ivory, bone, plaaaaaaastic argh !!!!

I have finally gotten down to just one silver whistle, and I keep it only because we picked it up in DC on a family trip before we really even got into whistles ( well that is my story and I'm sticking to it ). Stupid little pineapple shape and all…. But I did get that American made cased silver military whistle recently….what's happening to my resolve ???

Might as well just turn to paper whistles 🙁

Problem is that  horn, antler, hoof, wooden and the likes have been too well made to pass by if you know what I mean ??? Maybe it is all those railway whistles that have been wearing me down with that dark sheen of buffalo horn. Whoah…Shoulda seen it coming with those two persistant whistles in the upper left corner of my variety cabinet.

Still, I absolutely refuse  to start dipping into silver. Not gonna happen….. Not me….. However, there is that really cool cycling beaufort that I keep eyeing……Nah, too spendy….

Filed Under: Collecting

website

November 2, 2012 by

yup, finally back to writing — no really !!

We found a retail app for the website !!! Gotta wait till after the show in North Cailf. ( first of Dec.) though, as we will no doubt sell down a lot before I list any.

I am going thru all the pages now on the website — reinvigorated, updating comments and editing my poor spelling 🙁

I think I got ahead of myself on the SPOTLIGHTS and dropped back to create one on whistle PARTS. That should make it easier to discuss points to consider about the whistles in question each time on a new SPOTLIGHT.

Did a study for us all….Of the top dozen whistles we have found since July I thought to collate some figures for us. Quite encouraging I think ?? The average price for the dozen was 150 dollars. Not bad if you are into muscle cars or anything on that level for cost as a hobby !!! I saw two corkscrews go for 30,000 dollars this summer.

Of those whistles —- FOUR  are the only ones we know of in any collection. Some of the rarest whistles in the world. Amazing the possibilities of collecting whistles !!! We hope to share these on the website, as we go along in the SPOTLIGHTS. Of those 12 – half were bought on auction and clearly half were bought from direct offers to us from other sources. Why is that encouraging ?? We are not dependant on eBay. All four of the rarest were not offered on eBay !!! And affordable. Besides that nobody takes a cut off the top.

So widen out in your contacts and collecting places. Then write each other !!!  They are out there right under our noses…where they should be of course…

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

stamps

April 24, 2012 by

As to the world of whistles, I have always hated being a stamp collector. Something about having fifty whistles or even a hundred,  that all look alike ( clones ), but with different stamps on them….just seems repetitive. Of course some LIVE for that. Gotta have every constabulary, every date, every distributor( well maybe that's pretty cool and all )

However, I gladly admit, there is a flip side to stamps that is a door of opportunity —- Makers names    🙂

Recently a Linegar ROUND whistle went for BIG dollars on eBay ( over 200gbp ) Even though damaged at the mouthpiece, it was pretty much intact. The real treat was in the stamped name on the side. Why you ask ?? Because Linegar didn't identify his whistles often enough to know which ones were his many times. So NOW more information is known. A dozen different types of whistles of his would be terrific to know about for obvious reasons !!!

Even so, more are emerging and the variety of a great whistle maker is better known now than years previous…..

Stamp collectors, you win this ROUND.

Filed Under: eBay News & Updates

ethics in bid manipulations

April 22, 2012 by

bidding on auction sites like eBay is not all that it is cracked up to be is it ?? I mean up front it seems that one bids and then waits….well yes, that can be true, but likely you will be waiting when it comes to rare whistles for a looooooooong time AND with no whistle coming !!! Why so ?? –

Let's say that one wants to misdirect an auction. just for an example and of course this would NEVER happen… but let's just that say bids were placed by someone —-that never intended to be backed up honestly. Let's say that someone else threw in some bids competively that were then added to the mix. NOW what has happened ?? The price has been fabricated to look as if it is much higher than it would be and drives everyone off early. Now all one needs to do is RETRACT ones bids saying —  that the bids were made acccccccccidentally  !!

Now the price plummets as BOTH bidders retract ( this goes unpunished by eBay now ) !!! The seller is crushed and frustrated and any other HONEST bidders are put off. A seller MIGHT cancel their auction altogether and because of an offer made  from one of those bidders he then sells  the whistle OFF EBAY thereby getting the whistle, bypassing the whole auction and in the process circumventing eBay fees — using them for making the whole thing possible !!!

What helps is that eBay winks at all bid retractors. Oh, they SAY they take it seriously, but all one has to do is wait one year and to once again have a 100%  rating from them, despite a long history of either multiple retractions or better yet, getting the seller to cancel the transactions so nothing shows on ones history. How to build a terrific collection and cheat your way to the top. No doubt it will be proudly displayed and loaded up to some website as 'discovered by" …..

Quite the scene huh ??

Filed Under: eBay News & Updates

May in California

April 10, 2012 by

we have been buying like mad for the No Cal show coming in May. Lots of sirens, scouts, train, bosun, and some oddities to really add to the variety offering. Of course rounds are our favorites, but hard to come by and keep the prices down.

All caught up catalogueing (sp) and picture taking for our records and of course TAXES !!! Gotta stay honest you know. However the large cash outlay really takes a bite now doesn't it ?? Always tickles me when I am asked how much off if  "I buy three" — now really ?? With gasoline at 4 dollars a gallon and us commuting to the shows, how much off can I give for three whistles that don't amount to 100 dollars. But hey, it is a cheap hobby for the most part still.

Been thinking that you might like to read about the auction scene. That would mostly be eBay as they dominate the world of auctions for whistles. No secret there huh ?? So what has been happening lately ?? Well, some really great 1880's Hudson cycling whistles have come and gone for VERY high prices !!! How about 513 dollars for one whistle ??? And two whistles in 30 days. Something to always keep in mind though is that a very few collectors are keeping the prices so high. Usually a lot less without them. Perhaps one day though there will be a lot more avid collectors ??

Also saw once again the DeCourcy siren up for auction. At one time a thousand British pounds was asked, now it is down to half and perhaps should be lower. It has a reserve and has been up half a dozen times now—  but no sale. By the time it sells for every penny that can be squeeked out another will show up !!! Leaves a bad taste in your mouth when — well I will save that for another day……

Interesting watching a TANK whistle up for auction. Here is an interesting ploy….Offer a lower price to a dealer than he has it listed for. Then put the pictures up for auction on eBay and make it look like you actually HAVE that whistle,  when in actuality it is owned by another dealer. THEN if it sells rush over to the other dealer and buy it for the earlier solicited price and resell it for a tidy profit. Innovative huh ??? Well, only if the original owner lets it go !!!!! Perhaps he is a little more savvy and is watching eBay too ???? Der.

Filed Under: Buying & Selling

cost

April 9, 2012 by

yeah, prices are climbing again on whistles. However looking closely it isn't hard to see that only a handful of collectors can affect the whole whistle world !!!  They are spending TOP dollars for the best whistles around. Discouraging ??

Well, keep in mind that despite how it feeeeeels to see great whistles come and go, there are some really good whistles to be had by watching and ducking the common areas. One can be discriminating 🙂

Learn to see what others miss. We bought a very rare 6 piece escargot a couple weeks ago that was only 10 dollars USD. Turned out to be made by Ward. Perhaps the earliest of patents going back to 1890. Very heavy and with an unknown stamping !!! The point is ?? PATIENCE and stay out of the limelight. Out of courtesy, whether wise or not, we pulled off the bidding of a very rare two ended whistle well crafted and unknown, from the USA and it was won for 40 dollars. Now featured on the whistle museum.

 

They are still plenty of them , so keep your chins up, eyes focused. Be persistent and discerning.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

KETCHUP

April 8, 2012 by

well, back in the saddle – almost anyway. The website is revamped in the back ground and now working on the foreground. Who knew ?? Thought to post something to all the early 'peekers' as we get ready for official searching. Interesting over 500 hits but no one writing in yet?? Are you out there ??

Got some real rarities in and sold a lot at the expo center in March. Next sale is in Alameda Cal. in May and hopefully the website when we find a compatable retail program.

 

C YA

Filed Under: Website

Website Changes! – Hold Tight!

February 3, 2012 by

just a brief note for any visitors…

A LOT of work in revamping the website — so we are kinda on hold. I have written several more SPOTLIGHTS in the mean time so stay tuned !!!

Hopefully very soon, rolling again.

 

Filed Under: Website

… So Many Whistles and So Little Time !!!

January 9, 2012 by

What does one want to collect when it comes to rare whistles ?? Ivory whistles ?? Bone whistles ( or is there overlap ? ) Then there are hoof whistles, horn whistles, wooden whistles, plastic whistles, tin whistles, silver whistles , brass,. copper, nickle silver — ad infinitum — get the point ??  What to do ?? Good question >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> SPECIALIZE  !!!!

Gotta, or you will go insane, be tooooo spread out and what can you then accomplish?? It is not all for show is it ??? Just to say, hey man,  look at my whistles…..I'll tell ya, THAT won't get far. There has to be a higher calling don't you think ??

So where are 'the bargains' you might ask ( again ) ? After all, who has that much money these days to be buying everything one wants.  If I was going to do it all over again, perhaps ivory and bone. They aren't toooooo expensive – surprisingly. AND they are very interestingly made. They feeeeel great to the touch too, which satisfies that cravieng for fatty foods.

On the other hand there are some terrific old whistles made of horn or hooves which would be fun and relatively inexpensive. And beyond that perhaps wooden ones. Plastic is scary for me to think about — thousands of them and yet cheap for the most part, which does have it's intrinsic appeal. Silver on the other hand is or can be VERY expensive, just by the very nature of the beast. No brainer there.

Here is one for you if you are reading ( rather covertly I might add ) — wait for it— wait for it — PEWTER !!!! and it's even less touted brother — britannia ( small case )  VERY under rated whistles dating back to the mid 1800s.

We have here about 50 or so and always looking. Those whistle friends across the sea in France ( thought I was gonna say UK huh ? ) really made an art of whistle design of pewter and especially britannia. Of course the advantage of the latter is that you could plate it and then watch it over the years disintegrate off.

Personally I disdain pure tin, or steel ( sorry tin guys, ironic since pewter is 90% tin huh ? ) just too light and rusty and dented or bendable, cheaper feeling than plaaaaaaastic …..  yech …. I guess hate mail would be better than NO mail.

Did I mention sirens, antlers, trench whistles, bosun whistles, penny whistles …..

Filed Under: Buying & Selling, Collecting
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