Show us an old and interesting object you own

[BraveBold]

Acquired this pretty recently at auction. It is the -first- publication of Superman - published in early April, 1938, several weeks before Action Comics #1 was on newsstands. The publication is in the form of a large advertisement/preview (a full page black and white reproduction of the cover of Action Comics #1). For those unaware, a fine condition copy of Action Comics #1 will generally sell in the $3-6m range and about 100 copies exist.

This issue sells (at most) in the low-six figure range and there are only about a dozen known copies… For me it is an interesting historical artifact and something I plan to pass down to my kids… interesting from both the cultural side (given Superman’s influence on generations of art, literature and media) and from the advertisement side as well (a classic and rare ad). It also happens to be the oldest comic I own (by a smidge)…and a great piece of Americana.

Here is the book and below is the advertisement featuring the first published image of Superman (and the start of the superhero genre). It was also part of litigation around the related IP… but that’s a whole other fascinating story.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Acquired this pretty recently at auction. It is the -first- publication of Superman - published in early April, 1938, several weeks before Action Comics #1 was on newsstands. The publication is in the form of a large advertisement/preview (a full page black and white reproduction of the cover of Action Comics #1). For those unaware, a fine condition copy of Action Comics #1 will generally sell in the $3-6m range and about 100 copies exist.

This issue sells (at most) in the low-six figure range and there are only about a dozen known copies… For me it is an interesting historical artifact and something I plan to pass down to my kids… interesting from both the cultural side (given Superman’s influence on generations of art, literature and media) and from the advertisement side as well (a classic and rare ad). It also happens to be the oldest comic I own (by a smidge)…and a great piece of Americana.

Here is the book and below is the advertisement featuring the first published image of Superman (and the start of the superhero genre). It was also part of litigation around the related IP… but that’s a whole other fascinating story.

That’s pretty cool and so much more valuable than I would have expected. Nice pick up, I hope your boys appreciate it and treasure it!!


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[330ci]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

That’s Gorham sterling from 1925. The flaming foot mark on the bottom denotes the year 1925.

Also, show more pics of that point. It looks great!!


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This is actually a plated piece.

The E P stamping stands for Electro plate.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

That’s pretty cool and so much more valuable than I would have expected. Nice pick up, I hope your boys appreciate it and treasure it!!


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Thanks! I have a boy and girl and they both enjoy seeing the new (old) stuff daddy sometimes gets.

Re: value of “things” it is something I find fascinating (and valuation was / is a core academic and professional interest of mine). Also, I have diverse interests and I think in every area there is a large number (majority) that would question the sanity of prices paid. Or at minimum be very surprised… and I admit to the same reaction in areas that I’m less familiar with, like old sneakers.

Cars = why pay so much when a Camry gets me from A to B just as well / why pay so much for that outdated car, it doesn’t even have power windows!

Comics = paying big $ for some old paper with stories meant for children nearly a century ago?

Guitars = $3m for an old strat that someone famous played?

Modern art = wtf is that supposed to be / my 5th grader could do better!

Watches, well, we all know these… why pay so much when I have a phone / quartz that does it just as well. Or “there is maybe $1k worth of gold and you’re paying a $30k premium?”

And so on…

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by 330ci

This is actually a plated piece.

The E P stamping stands for Electro plate.

My mistake. My understanding was the foot was a sterling mark.


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[Rock]

996Marty - We bought a similar chair to your set a couple of years ago. It was from a 'Decorator' store and the only one they had left. No suggestion it was anything other than new. We would have liked a couple of them as they are such a nice style.
The photo makes the wood look darker than it actually is. I was interested to know the style was known as "Hans Wegner".

[Rock]

An item that only arrived in the mail from the U.S. this afternoon is this lovely little Demi-tasse Espresso cup. It is reputed to be a '40s item and the light crazing of the porcelain would seem to support that but I really don't care as I bought it because I thought it was absolutely charming.

[alex.cicollo]

My house :)

1837

[OG1982]

This is a great thread, thanks for sharing.

Especially enjoying the old coins.

[ERH]

c. 1750 original unsigned Catholic church sponsored artist original frame

[enjoythemusic]

>>> Show us an old and interesting object you own <<<

< insert pic of my wife >

[cop414]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

>>> Show us an old and interesting object you own <<<

< insert pic of my wife >

… run,,, hide!

[996marty]

Originally Posted by Rock

996Marty - We bought a similar chair to your set a couple of years ago. It was from a 'Decorator' store and the only one they had left. No suggestion it was anything other than new. We would have liked a couple of them as they are such a nice style.
The photo makes the wood look darker than it actually is. I was interested to know the style was known as "Hans Wegner".

Hans Wegner was the designer with the chairs made by Carl Hansen in Denmark. They are called wishbone chairs or their correct reference is ch-24. The frame should have a stamp mark underneath the seat and some initials from who worked on them. You can probably tell I love them but being an ex furniture maker/joiner I can relate to the work that’s gone into them.

[Speedbird-1]

Other than the odd fossil, there aren't many things we own, older than our house, which dates back to the 1470's when Edward the IV a Plantagenet was King.

[envuks]

I’ll bite on this one…. These came out of a Nantucket storage unit that was being cleared out by a friend of friend. Free to me (lucky me!)

They are Minchiate cards and gaming chips from the 1700s. Minchiate was an Italian card deck that precedes, and closely resembles, a tarot card deck we know today.

If you know the classic Rider Waite Tarot deck the designs and suits are essentially the same




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[OG1982]

This thread got me thinking, and I remembered some coins my grandad gave me 30+ years ago.

They were found on his farm, which is is Suffolk, next door to the Mildenhall American air base.

One in particular looked very old, and some research has informed me it’s a Roman Denarius of Vespasian.

It could have been made roughly anytime between 50BC, and 70AD.

Very happy to have opened this thread, thanks to all the contributors.




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[Dan Pierce]

I have a few old thangs.
dP

[Speedbird-1]

Wow! You've got some great stuff there Dan.

[77T]

Originally Posted by OG

One in particular looked very old, and some research has informed me it’s a Roman Denarius of Vespasian.

That is a nice version - because it is Vespasian, it is only slightly newer methinks. Vespasian founded the Flavian dynasty. He was a military commander and took part in the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 CE.

On the death of Nero, he was one of the four rival claimants for the throne and emerged as the ultimate victor. That was latter half of 68 CE or afterward. So would have been after that date.

What's it worth? During that time, it was the equivalent of a day's wage for a laborer*.

It's an interesting bit of history to have and thanks for sharing.

*The purchasing power of a denarius varied depending on the region and the economic conditions of the time. For context, at US min. wage, the current value has risen to about 3 days' wages.


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[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Wow! You've got some great stuff there Dan.

Thank you, Steve!
dP

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by 77T

That is a nice version - because it is Vespasian, it is only slightly newer methinks. Vespasian founded the Flavian dynasty. He was a military commander and took part in the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 CE.

On the death of Nero, he was one of the four rival claimants for the throne and emerged as the ultimate victor. That was latter half of 68 CE or afterward. So would have been after that date.

What's it worth? During that time, it was the equivalent of a day's wage for a laborer*.

It's an interesting bit of history to have and thanks for sharing.

*The purchasing power of a denarius varied depending on the region and the economic conditions of the time. For context, at US min. wage, the current value has risen to about 3 days' wages.


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Thank you Paul, that is incredibly interesting.

That's what I love about this place, so much more than a 'watch' forum!

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Other than the odd fossil, there aren't many things we own, older than our house, which dates back to the 1470's when Edward the IV a Plantagenet was King.

Fantastic! Has it been remodeled or changed much, other than indoor plumbing electricity etc.? Was the structure always a house? Is the kitchen the same room? How was it constructed, e.g. wood frame, brick, etc.? What is the oldest known photo of it? Do you have any idea how many owners it had, or anything about the original owner?

My house (in California) was built in 1929, which of course is pretty old for our region. Your house was 450 years old when mine was built! I’ve always enjoyed visiting the ancient buildings in England. The Canterbury Cathedral was probably the most impressive to me, with its different periods of construction, and of course its amazing history.

[Rock]

That 'Denarius' is very special, Ollie. If it was mine I would want it nicely mounted and in pride of place on a wall in the living room. What a conversation piece (when you know the context as mentioned by PaulG.)

[Stan Cooper]

The first U.S. minted commemorative coin, 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition half dollar. It's now worth significantly more than fifty cents.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%...ian_Exposition

[Barbara_C]

Does a self photo count?

[East Bay Rider]

This was my father's toy pinball game. He's 83y/o now so this would be from the 40's. It was stored in the hall closet at my father's aunt's (my great aunt's) house the whole time I was a child. We'd visit every Sunday after church. There wasn't a lot we kids could do over there in our church clothes so we'd read the Sunday comics and play pinball. I was glad to save it when my father was cleaning out their house before it's sale. I keep it hanging on the wall in my basement.

[sickened1]

A keycap I bought back in around 2009 - 2010 for about 29 or 30 bucks. Now, I have people offered to pay up to 3 grand for it.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by Rock

That 'Denarius' is very special, Ollie. If it was mine I would want it nicely mounted and in pride of place on a wall in the living room. What a conversation piece (when you know the context as mentioned by PaulG.)

Thank you. I've been thinking on ways to display this and I am going to take your advice.

Please help me understand. Do you say this is special because it was found on my Grandfathers farm, or is it special in its own right? I know it's very old, but I am trying to understand more about this coin. From my research on the internet, it would appear these are relatively common finds. But I may be missing something about this particular type of Denarius?

[77T]

I think it's special because your grandfather found it "in situ" + Vespasian himself had been in England + Vespasian later became Emperor + some local (or Roman) droppeth it from their "scintilla" after it was minted during that Emperor's rein.

If he can recall the precise location he found it, and still has access to that plot of land, I would do a metal detector sweep. Perhaps more than one was dropped


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[OG1982]

Originally Posted by 77T

I think it's special because your grandfather found it "in situ" + Vespasian himself had been in England + Vespasian later became Emperor + some local (or Roman) droppeth it from their "scintilla" after it was minted during that Emperor's rein.

If he can recall the precise location he found it, and still has access to that plot of land, I would do a metal detector sweep. Perhaps more than one was dropped


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Thanks again to your input with this Paul. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us, and the farm he has now belongs to someone else.

It was found by someone who my Grandfather let onto the land with a metal detector, this is how they were found, so I'm guessing all that was there has already been discovered. From what my Mother has told me, there were many Roman finds local to this area.