Sell, Sell, Sell

January 8, 2012 by

post new years now and prices dropping as usual. Boy, if I was smarter I would graph this movement and buy only in the off season. Of course rare antique whistles would pop up in the ON season wouldn't they ?? But there seems to be no pattern — except my cash flow.

The rule is always strike while the iron is hot. That can really hamper the pocket book, but what is one to do ?? Good question — sell, sell, sell it seems. If one wants to learn anything about whistles it is like the man says' you have to go through a LOT of whistles to see and compare, so why pile them up ??? Let some GO….

That being said, where does greed end and pure study, learning and recreational fun take over ?? Another good question. Apparently there is a lot of overlap. They say that 'collectors' that are compulsive NEVER get rid of anything !!! Is that true of you ?? If it is not one thing it is another to collect ?? —- Do you say " I have a LOT of 'interests' though " ……..To be sure.

Try this for a change — cut back !!! Maybe just delve into one thing and do it well, or just for balanced fun. Wow, that's a challenge huh ?? I have heard that you never see a Uhaul behind a hearse. Makes sense, but to live that way ?? One would have to purge periodically. — Yup, sell off, trade off, cut back, simplify ….whatever….just some thoughts about 'collecting' verses hoarding.

Here's some check points to think about ……

buyers remorse ??

broke ??

can't remember what you have ??

duplicates, triplicates, ad infinitum ??

can't pass it up ??

never let any go ??

You OFTEN wonder why you bought the ones you did for THAT price ??

You spent MORE for a lot of crummy whistles — than for a few great ones ??

 

Food for thought….

 

 

 

Filed Under: Buying & Selling

I Found Something! (that I already had…)

January 5, 2012 by

How well does one know their collection of whistles ?? The reason I ask is that I was at the reference collection yesterday and found an escargot made by De Courcy in with the Hudsons whistles !! OMG !!!  A small oversight, but understandable the way that the escargot was made. Only the slightest differences, but HEY — there are differences !!!

SO sometimes there can be whistles to be had in our own collection that we 'FIND' so to speak. Of course, this is written to all those who have some whistles already, but it is worth thinking about for the future when collecting whistles. The more you accumulate and go through,  the more chances you will see what you missed the first time around due to not having an educated eye ( yet )

We grow in knowledge and the re-examination of our existing whistles is ALWAY worth renewed vigor. Soooooo, write in pencil on those tags…..

Filed Under: Collecting

How to Keep Track of All Those Whistles!?

January 3, 2012 by

To tag 'em or not to tag 'em — what do you do to keep track of those whistles ??? At first one may think they know the faces of each of their children and while that may be true, eventually there are twins born or even triplets !!! Besides THAT,  it is a little more than bewildering ( and intimidating ) how many ways there are to make a whistle !!!! You will end up with FAR more than you thought you would.

So save yourself some real trouble and decide early how to mark those whistles. Personally we have settled on metal ring key tags. You can figure out what works for you best in whatever storage containers or racks you use …. For us though no string to fight with at all, just a jump ring. And the tag folds behind the whistle hanging from the hooks. There is a front and back to the tag so plenty area to write. BUT what do you write on the tag ???? Good question 🙂

First, an access number is really helpful. That way you can refer to your more detailed records in your computer or filing system, without having to fit it all on the tag. We are at #1829 – not that we have that many whistles , some are long gone now. But it is a system to organize your soldiers under. Next, the maker ?? If you know or 'unknown' maker if not — you will get a LOT of that one before it's over …..

After that the date it was made or if not exactly known write 'circa' and then estimated date or period. Optionally you can put the length, material, weight and oh, almost forgot … you will likely put the type ( i.e.scout,police,cycling, fire brigade etc. ) and stamping. This is often a distributor name and with either – the address if there. Perhaps the country of origen ??

Why all this info ?? Well tags come off or get moved and it will only fit that one description now won't it ?? Also, there may be details about it you forgot — yeah even with that incredible vise like memory of yours !!! Details about the construction are favorites with us.

So there you have it. Then again, there is the cost of those tags that take money that could better be used for whistles……Grrrr……

Filed Under: Collecting

Multi-Chamber Whistles

January 2, 2012 by

multi-chambered whistles, dual chambered whistles, train whistles, cycling whistles, what do you call them ?? Two to three tubes of thin stock soldered together in varying lengths to make the sound that most identify with trains as a kid. They date waaaaaay back into the 1800s  and are still made today. What does that say about them ??

Apparently they have held their place in the whistle world. But why are they so neglected by collectors ?? Good question 🙂

For one thing they are cheaply built. Well, not truly so, but in comparison to a dual chamber solid brass Barrall whistle or a plated brass with heavy construction De Courcy,  they look like they are merely just tin. That may be true to an extent. HOWEVER a true conneseur of whistles remembers that early escargots dating into the 1880s were made out of the same thin materials. Two and three chambered 'taxi' calls or hunting whistles by BGI (USA), Lilly(UK) and other countries were also made similarly. Then there are the rare cycling whistles pre 1900 by Hatch and Johnson, and of course early 1900s sirens by B&R and others with history back into the 1800s again. It goes on doesn't it ??

The SPOTLIGHT is focusing on them right now and half done for posting and you would be surprised at how many types and makers there are !! So for our unsung heroes, we pause and think … have I been letting some rarities slip through my fingers ??….

Filed Under: Spotlight Research

Sales – The Highs and Lows

January 2, 2012 by

just for the record, selling whistles like selling anything isn't all its cracked up to be. I have friends for example that work for hours getting a bid worked up on a construction job,only to have it 'shopped' out to others who then find out what it is from the sealed lipped construction company and then they undercut it and use all that work they did for their own .

Not much different with whistles I guess. One can work taking pictures for hours, cutting, cropping laeling, pricing and giving out information and for what ?? to get a low ball offer …. I think just posting and letting the cards fall where they may will be the best plan. Then everyone knows where things stand right ??

Should see some effects taking place over the next week as the website falls into place. Then the retail will be uploaded along with the other things to catch up WHEW what an ordeal !!!! Really studying deeper into some more subjects for the SPOTLIGHT and getting a little better at it– hoping to cut down on research time….

Filed Under: Buying & Selling, Collecting

Neophytes

December 29, 2011 by

Had the privilege to meet ( by phone ) a neo whistle collector yesterday. Not a novice to collecting either, but a veteran of the fields. It always amazes me to watch how quickly a hobby can be picked up, but really it only makes sense doesn't it ?? Mostly the trails are all the same, just different circles.

For me though it is a PRIVILEGE. Why,  you ask ?? Because that is how we learn…from others. Let's contrast the two directions for a moment. Say you try to learn everything about rare, vintage, antique whistles by yourself. How would you do that ?? Well, you could travel ( a LOT ) and pick up what you haphazardly might find. OR you could go to the internet, phone and personal visits to other collectors and exponentially you can grow in knowledge and experience.

Then there are concerted efforts to find and share things. Oh sure there is competition over getting them, but hey, do you really think you can afford them all ??? The lake is much deeper than you imagine. You will never get to the bottom !!! Besides that sometimes you can look for each other and share even the whistles themselves ?? I know, I know, collectors almost NEVER let go once they have their hands on them. But that doesn't have to be whern you get the right mind set—-YOU GET MORE BY SHARING.

Try it out in your head. Take 50 whistle collectors that bring 5 of their rare, antique, vintage whistles to a large room that is quite comfortable to sit down for a bit in. Then you all sit with your whistles hidden in your pockets. What could possibly be gained ?? Perhaps some interesting discussions. Now, everyone take out their least favorite they brought. Now things start clicking !!! And the next one? And the next one???  Get connected. You know, like axons and dendrites….I am sure you get the point….

Filed Under: Collecting

Catalogs, Trade Journals

December 28, 2011 by

wanted to give some thought to catalogs, trade journals, etc today…. what’s the story on copyrights  ???? >>>> If you look at the web one finds the following…………….  If the work was published in the United States priorto 1923, it is in the public domain.

In the UK it appears to be a 50 to 70 year maximum from publishing. Conclusion ?? prior to 1940 it is in the public domain.

This is good to know !! Why you ask ?? Good question 🙂 It seems that one of the key ways to find old whistles by different makers is to know what was made even BEFORE you have seen it !!! So once you find something in writing or pictures that you can share, you don’t have to worry about infringements do ya ?? Yup, makes it easier to find whistles when many are looking for them rather than one person looking and perhaps never seeing them at all.

Now, that means that you are going to have to give up some of your whistle time to catalog time, but it pays off in dividends later. AND one catalog can be like finding several whistles if they are ones you haven’t seen before. Then you also have trading material and voila !! Brainpools are born 🙂

 

Filed Under: Spotlight Research

Whistle Grading

December 26, 2011 by

Do you think whistles should be graded ?? The thought with some is that they are somewhat like coins in a way. They can be found as NOS ( new old stock ) and be relatively uncirculated or anywhere from extra fine down to good to even poor condition. But can you really go this way ?? I mean can’t you restore a whistle ?? Sorta like furniture and other antiques ?? Yeah, take it apart, straighten it out like a body and fender man and then put it back together and what was once in poor condition is now refurbished, restored, refinished… you know.

Then there is the argument against destroying the patina that took decades to develop. So much so that some actually FAKE the patina with chemicals !! I can’t say I am very impressed with the dull patina to nickle silver , but on brass and copper one has to admit it can really deepen the tone and feel of an age old whistle. Also there is the old steel patina look that is charcoal looking and feels warm and smooth to the touch. Yet it CAN get rusty and need to be cleaned and started over again. Seem to you that the patina returns quicker ??

I am no metallurgist ( did I spell that right? ) but it seems to me that there are different qualities of brass and the patina is different on them. Copper seems generic in quality on whistles and besides that there aren’t that many whistles with copper are there??  Personally I LOVE the nickle silver that has a slightly yellow look to it. Some whistles are almost white looking nickle silver and then there are those sunny yellowish ones to die for  🙂 — Must be more copper in the mix I suppose. For me the bottom of the pile is chrome. Nothing more frustrating than to find an old whistle, say 1883 and then sombody went and had it chromed, even though it was already partially worn !!! Now it can spend the next hundred years flaking off, but never all flaked off like you would like.

Speaking of plating degrdation, where does that plating go to on nickle plated whistles anyway ?? Gotta look that one up somewhere. I have many whistles that the plating has faded away. Not really worn away, just kinda dissolved off ?? How does THAT happen ?? I mean that’s its JOB isn’t it ?? To plate and all. Yet there you have it, leaving the metal underneath exposed. Why plate it,  if you can’t rely on it ?? Nickle over brass. Why not just nickle ??   Dunno……yet

Filed Under: Spotlight Research

BGI Spotlight

December 25, 2011 by

nice and rainy out today, gotta be glad about THAT !!! However it did spur me on to complete the SPOTLIGHT number  six on BGI bullet whistles. I think it really turned out well myself, but of course it isn’t posted yet and I can’t get any feedback can I ?? I DO get some comments in the emails and that is kind 🙂

I went back into the net and found a BGI 601 from 1881 sold this summer for 25 dollars, so it shows that rare whistles are available all the time for bargains and THIS makes it a tremendous hobby to get into !!! WHY you ask ?? Beeeeeeecause, the more that is known the more will surface. THAT’S what we want. These little guys lie around drawers forever and no one thinks about ’em.

Guess I will go and hang the whistles and micrometer and scale and… back where they all go. Another article done. Not too bad either on the scheduling as I originally planned just one a month to give myself some room to breathe. According to that I am about 4 months ahead  !!!

Filed Under: Spotlight Research

BGI

December 25, 2011 by

dug further into BGI today, actually a running study project. I didn’t have any idea of their history and kept at it a little. There are so few records to go on. For a fact, I am really researching the BGI model #601 bullet whistle and therefore I got enamored with the BGI company itself,  since they made sooooo many whistles back then. You know they only lasted about 30 years, but that is quite long when compared to say a raccoon,  huh ??

ANYWAY, back to my tangent. The company is built mainly on the start of Charles D. Leet, — that would be Charles S. Leet’s dad I would think ?? Have to verify that lineage later. Junior it seems is the one that patented the bullet whistle and kinda have to get my ducks in a row for the next SPOTLIGHT  concentrating on this whistle. Came in two sizes too — betcha didn’t know THAT did ya ?? Well, I will have to illuminate that when the article gets published. My computer guy stood me up last week, but PROMISED this week to be here. No good to publish if you can’t read the articles……

 

Filed Under: Spotlight Research
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