Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
If it’s brown paper-based tape, with a coating of gum arabic, it can be dipped in water and layered on what you’re sticking. It shrinks as it dries. Curling’s no problem. I used it to stretch watercolour paper.
Don’t lick it, though. Unless you like the taste of brown paper.
I did once get an extra £20 from a very satisfied buyer, after he received the item. So these unicorns do exist!
Don’t know how the Belgian postal codes work, but if I left my house number off, the code would identify the street, and on the final manual sort the post-person would probably check the name against other mail for the same location.
Someone dug an oil painting out of an outhouse and gave it to me. It was covered in soot- I paid £380 to have it cleaned and the frame regilded. After several attempts to sell it (provenance was that it came from a stately home whose contents had been dispersed in the 1930s) it went for auction, where it fetched £150! I’d have been better off leaving it dirty.
Came across an old tin for sticking plasters on Friday. Thought it was a bit heavy, opened it and found a cigarette lighter. Bought for £2, listed for £90, sold to a Chinese gent who offered £80 two hours later.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183797235138
Well, it was broken 🙂
…yeah, I know, them “brick and mortar” auctions are the weirdest! You have to bring your own hods and pestles 🙂
I’ve seen quite a few small mortars at “brick and mortar” auctions. Some are claimed to be 17th-18th century, and fetch about £300 to £400. If your cup is a mortar, there’s the question of the numbers stamped on the base- they aren’t lined up, and could have been stamped some time after the item was cast. Something about the thin lip and its battered appearance makes me think it’s old, but I’m not sure.
…also, silver plate hallmarks could be “E P N S” (electro-plated nickel silver) stamped to look like a British hallmark.
If the base is somewhat thick (can’t tell from the photo) it could be a small mortar. Might be bronze if it is. The dolphin handles look a bit 19th century (Victorian) and the stamped numbers definitely look modernish. The head looks like a woman’s, like you get on a cameo, with a Roman nose (apparently you can get a rough idea of the age of a cameo from the schnozzle- modern noses are pert!).
As for the dried Brasso- maybe warm water and a toothbrush. Damn stuff has a habit of disappearing when wet and re-appearing later. Think the crusty residue is some kind of silica, not affected by acids or alkalis.
Seems to be wearing a crown, looks male, looks mad, therefore must be King George III. He suffered from porphyria, which makes you mad and purple- note that the figure’s got purple arms. 🙂
I think the artist was Norman Saunders; apparently he’s most well-known for a series called “Mars Attacks!”. Had to find out after looking at card 73 “Through the swamp, Grey Embers GA” featuring a Union soldier spearing an alligator. Is the Battle of Grey Embers featured in Ken Burns’ documentary? 😉
I have a problem with giving feedback to buyers. I just use a generic “Many thanks!!!”, which seems somehow ungrateful, but anything else just seems a bit pompous. Or something. “Yeah, I listed this for £25 and you offered £10 but because I found it in a dustbin with a rat chewing on it and it’s just cluttering up my place and giving me diseases I accepted your measly offer and Many Thanks!!!”
Greg- these are them (warning! graphic images). First issued in the US in 1962 by Topps. Seem to go for between £50 and £80 now for a UK set from 1965 (without banknotes).
