Flee market booty 7/26/09
Flee market booty 7/26/09, originally uploaded by Black Heart Industries.
Today I acquired two books on steam power. The open one: A Textbook on Steam Engineering by International Correspondence Schools. Copyright 1902. This one is full of fantastic technical illustrations. The first fifty pages are on geometrical and mechanical drafting. Some other chapters included are: engine testing, governors, valve gears, condensers, compound engines, etc. At the end of most chapters are questions, with answers at the rear of the book. Also, each paragraph is numbered for easy reference. This was a great find. The other is Steam: Its Generation and Use by The Babcock and Wilcox Company. Copyright 1955, 37th edition. Originally published 1879. The B&W logo is the earth rotating via the power of steam. This is a large company with many plants, including nuclear. This book has many illustrations and black and white photographs, with a focus is on power plants. Some chapters included are: Intro to steam, sources of hear energy, principles of combustion, fluid dynamics, steam generation, superheated steam, coal – prep and storage, metallurgy, nuclear reactors and steam generating equipment, the cyclone furnace, marine applications, etc. Just some light reading. Holding one book open is a quality trammel and another ribbon. The ribbon is almost nine inches long and is slightly damaged. On the front it reads: Improved Order of Red Men, Roxas Tribe No. 136, Imp’d. O. R. M. Santa Cruz, Ca. On the back it reads the same except at the top it reads: In memoriam. Silver on black satin. In the middle is a piece of card stock that reads: made by The M. C. Lilley & Co. Columbus, Ohio. manufacturers of badges, banners, flags, buttons, uniforms and secret society supplies. Finally, a Club Health vibrator for my collection. The power cord has been cut. The power switch is a rotating piece at the top of the unit. It may also control the speed of the motor.
Flee market 7/19/09
Flee market 7/19/09, originally uploaded by Black Heart Industries.
This time we have a leather camera box. Some repair’s necessary, mostly the right buckle needs reattaching. It’s about the size of a 6 pack. Next we have another cigarette box, silver plated brass, cedar lined, and with my initial engraved in the center. Much larger then my other one. The tiny object in the middle is a brass shirt button. Finally we have a nickel plated brass ink well with a mechanical date display. Unfortunately, I get to make new month cards, as they are missing.
Captain Nemo’s coat hook
Captain Nemo’s coat hook, originally uploaded by Black Heart Industries.
It was worse then I thought. Someone had painted it with a very fine copper colored paint, then later was coated with house paint. After the first stripping, I thought that I may have a piece of bronze, but a magnet settled that question. I will scrub this with Scotch Brite some more to get the last of the cheap looking paint off. A very handsome casting indeed.
Alameda antique faire 7-5-09
Alameda antique faire 7-5-09, originally uploaded by Black Heart Industries.
This time I plowed though and saw most, but not all of the dealers. Left to right: four sterling silver metals from The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. They’re a British benevolent fraternal organisation. 1) Berby Lodge, past chair Primo H. B. Weldon 1923, 2) Fountains Abbey Lodge, delegate Bro. E. Cook K. O. M., trustee 1939. 3) Presented to Bro. L. E. D. Barnard, for services rendered, 1930. 4) Fob presented to Primo W. H. Brook by Dorchester Lodge for introducing 6 members, 1906. This is a brass wall mounted pocket watch holder. The watch in the case is one I already owned. I had a hell of a time opening this case. The blue velvet covered wooden inner bed had rotated and blocked the button. Next is a cast iron coat and hat wall hook. Someone has stupidly painted this when they painted the wall it was mounted to. Going to strip the paint off with nasty chemicals. Antediluvian is a great word: of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood, or chiefly humorous ridiculously old-fashioned. Perfect.
Flee market booty 6-28-09
Flee market booty 6-28-09, originally uploaded by Black Heart Industries.
This poor thing is beyond repair. Normally I wouldn’t dismantle a machine that could be brought back to life. Unfortunately I am guilty of breaking way too many things in the past for use in my work, but this is a salvage operation. The keys may be used for a laptop that never was. The roller could be used for applying ink or paint. All manner of metal parts for who knows what. There’s a bell, some rack and pinion gears, some other gears, and a flat spring, like a clock.
Acme No.1 paper fastening device
Acme No.1, originally uploaded by Black Heart Industries.
Just picked this up for a mere five dollars. No date on this machine, but according to officemuseum.com it was advertised 1898-1950. Works perfectly, of course. The adjustable guide was bent, but that was easily fixed. An interesting feature, the plate that the guide is attached to is removable via the screw in the middle. There are three threaded holes under the plate, probably for other attachments. The design of the guide is what I had in mind for the Victorian labeler. I contacted Acme to buy a few boxes of #465 staples. They gave me the contact information for a place in Temecula. Incredible they’re still in business and supporting their old machines. Does my evil little heart good to see that there are companies that understand the value of thinking long term. I’ve contacted other companies directly for information and have been transfered to engineers or given information about individuals that sell manuals, etc. Don’t be afraid to talk to people, or read old books, not everything is on the internet. Maybe someday those dusty old books may be digitized, but don’t count on it. 4.5″ x 14″ x 11″
Flee market booty 6-21-09
Flee market booty 6-21-09, originally uploaded by Black Heart Industries.
Left to right: beautiful bowler hat by Knox New York and hat box, vintage green tint safety glasses, small cheap metal sheriff’s badge, two sterling snake chains, leather box, wood lined metal box (inside engraved: With appreciation Karl C. Weber Hotel Whicomb 1946), two pieces of a horse bridle (one stamped with an American Eagle and U.S., the other with an interesting iron buckle, both have some useful leather, buckles, hardware, and are filthy).
