Miscellaneous
Click here for a page of Fernandina-related and other items of local interest.
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English police whistle. 3 1/4" nickel plated brass with its original 17" chain. Stamp-marked THE METROPOLITAN / J. HUDSON & CO / BARR ST HOCKLEY / BIRMINGHAM, this is an excellent, early example of the standard whistle issued throughout Britain for well over a century.
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British police whistle, 3 1/4" nickel plated brass with 24" chain. Stamp-marked THE METROPOLITAN / J. HUDSON & CO LTD / BIRMINGHAM, 19 / ENGLAND. Made between 1950 and 1968. Fine condition.
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Joseph Hudson invented his famous Metropolitan police whistle in 1883. This fine example bears the 1908 patent mark for the new, two-piece top cap, an improvement replacing the previous, one-piece cast cap. It is stamp-marked in three places: At the top of the body, THE METROPOLITAN; at the bottom of the body, PATENT; on the cap, circling the ring, PATENT. 5727-08. 3 1/4" nickel plated brass.
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ROMO, with an horizontal, centred arrow through it, was the trademark of the New York City importing firm of Rosenbaum & Mogal, Inc., established in 1917. In 1924, when the corporation dissolved, the trademark passed to Mitchell Mogal, Inc., known best for its cutlery imports, particularly switchblade knives. This 3" whistle, bearing the ROMO logo and stamped Made in Germany, is in mint condition and its original wrapping.
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1939 South African Union Defence Force (UDF) whistle. 3 1/4" nickel plated brass. Stamp-marked THE METROPOLITAN / J. HUDSON & CO / BARR ST _ HOCKLEY / BIRMINGHAM / 1939, below which is the Union of South Africa military mark, the broad arrow within an upright U. In 1939, the year of this whistle's manufacture, Great Britain declared war on Nazi Germany.
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British military whistle. 3 1/4" brass. Stamp-marked with the Ministry of Defence broad arrow and J. HUDSON & CO / BIRMINGHAM / C.N. 1986 / 1953. C.N. 1986 refers to the MOD department and 1953 is the year of manufacture -- the most important year of the 20th Century.
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Invented about 1875 by Joseph Hudson of Birmingham, England, The Acme City is a sport and security whistle. It was the type used in the first football -- soccer in the United States -- match ever played with a referee's whistle, in 1878 at Nottingham. 3 1/4" nickel plated brass. Stamp-marked THE ACME CITY and MADE IN ENGLAND.
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This postcard gives a whole new meaning to "police come along". Mailed on 11 September 1911, from Ava, Ohio, it would have been considered risqué for its time.
Click here to see another, mailed 23 August 1911 from Bloomer to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
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RSPCA member pin, on its original card, as issued. The pin is 1 1/8" diameter with ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS in a blue enamelled border. The 2 1/8" height X 1 3/4" width card reads, By Appointment / TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II / RIBBON MAKERS / J. R. GAUNT & SON LTD. / 5 WARWICK ST., REGENT ST. / LONDON, W.1 ESTD. 200 YEARS. (The maker, J. R. Gaunt & Son, was established in 1750.) The world's first national animal welfare and protection society was founded in London in 1824 as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or SPCA. In 1840, three years after ascending to the throne, Queen Victoria bestowed upon it her royal patronage, whence it became the RSPCA. This pin dates to the 1950s or 1960s and is in exceptionally fine condition.
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A grouping of three Animal Liberation Front Support Group items: a 9" width X 2 3/4" height bumper sticker, reading "The ALF is Always Watching!"; a 4" width X 5" height decal; a 2 1/4" button.
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Not a reproduction, not a reprint, but the actual, authentic 1893 "Illustrated Catalogue of the Historical and World-Renowned Collection of Torture Instruments, Etc. from the Royal Castle of Nuremberg", in fine condition. 5 7/8" width by 9 1/4" height, with 1,325 descriptions and numerous Hors Texte, versos blank, full page woodcut illustrations. From the catalogue: "THESE TORTURE INSTRUMENTS were purchased on behalf of the Earl of Shrewsbury, by Mr. J. D. Ichenhäuser, expert in works of art and curios, 68 New Bond St., London, by whom this catalogue was compiled. The entire collection was removed from the Royal Castle of Nuremberg, in April, 1890, since which time it has been exhibited in all the principal cities of Great Britain by special permission of Lord Shrewsbury. It is the original and only genuine collection of its kind, and what adds to the impressiveness of the exhibition is the fact that every one of the barbarous implements have been in actual use." Both a very important reference book and a rare, historical collectible in and of itself.
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Original Soviet Union Communist Party membership books, printed in Russian. Each book in excellent condition. Red softcover, 6 1/4" height X 4 1/2" width, 24 pages (excluding the cover -- the textured surface of which my scanner unfortunately dislikes). Each individually serial numbered with a photograph, on page 2, of the party member to whom it was issued. On the front cover, the very top line translates to "Workers of the world, unite!" (This was the official motto of the USSR. A more literal translation is "Proletarians of all countries, unite!") The line below that translates to "Communist Party Soviet Union"; below that, "Registration Card Membership [followed by the initials of the Communist Party Soviet Union]"; below that, the serial number; and, below that, the three parts of the member's full name, each on a separate line.
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Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch (German Reich Workbook), 1st Variation. The standard size, approximately 5 3/4" height X 4 1/4" width, mandatory workbook issued to all employed German residents. The 1st Variation bears the Weimar eagle on, and a swastika on each of the four corners of, the cover and is 32 pages. Issued in March 1936 in Ulm, Germany.
Click here to see another, issued 27 May 1936 in Kempten (SW Bavaria), Germany.
Click here to see yet another, issued 24 July 1935 in Stuttgart, Germany.
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Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch (German Reich Workbook), 2nd Variation. The standard size, approximately 5 3/4" height X 4 1/4" width, mandatory workbook issued to all employed German residents. The 2nd Variation bears the Third Reich eagle on the cover and is 38 pages. Issued in September 1940 in Ulm, Germany. Click here to see another, issued 7 June 1937 in Ravensburg, Germany. This one is of unusual interest for having the 2nd Variation's cover, the Third Reich eagle, combined with the 1st Variation's 32 pages. Click here to see yet another (38 pages), issued 21 August 1940 in Kempten (SW Bavaria), Germany. Click here for one issued 28 January 1939 in Velbert (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Germany, and here for its accompanying Reichsarbeitsdienst Zurückstellungsschein, issued 24 November 1939 in Koblenz, Germany to the same individual. This four page, 5 1/8" height X 3 3/8" width document provided for a temporary postponement, showing cause, from the required work service.
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Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch Für Ausländer (German Reich Workbook For Foreigner). The standard size, approximately 5 3/4" height X 4 1/4" width, 38 page mandatory workbook issued to all foreign labour conscripts. Issued in March 1944 in Munich, Germany, to Pietro Sacco, an Italian born in 1912.
[Post-World War II Occupational French] Military Government in Germany (Gouvernement Militaire en Allemagne): Questionnaire, regarding Third Reich or wartime Nazi activities, involvement and participation, a six page fold-out document, each page 11 3/4" height X 8" width. Signed and dated 6 October 1948 in Koblenz, Germany, with all responses typed in German. Document F/MG/PS/G/9. The questionnaire begins with a warning, translating as, "For more clarity, this questionnaire is printed in German and French. In case of doubt, the French text prevails. Each question must be answered as indicated. Omissions, distortions or incomplete responses constitute violations of the military ordinances. Additional sheets will have to be attached if the space provided on this questionnaire is insufficient." It comprises eight sections: A. particulars/personal details; B. Nazi Party (NSDAP -- Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter Partei -- National-Socialist German Workers' Party) affiliations; C. activity in auxiliary Nazi organisations; D. writings and speech; E. employment/occupational service; F. military service; G. voyages or journeys abroad; I. political affiliations or membership. (N.B. There is no section H.) Affirmative responses in section C are: DAF -- Deutsche Arbeitsfront -- The German Labour Front, the largest NSDAP affiliated organisation, comprising all the corporations, guilds and professional associations; NSV -- Nationalsozialistische Volkswohlfahrt -- National-Socialist People's Welfare Organisation, responsible primarily for the care of mothers and juveniles; and DRK -- Deutsches Rotes Kreuz -- German Red Cross. Together with two other documents, an acknowledgement and acceptance of the questionnaire, plus a second, typed copy, from "The public plaintiff at the committee of inquiry, Koblenz city" (Der Öffentliche Kläger beim Untersuchungsausschuss Koblenz-Stadt), dated 30 December 1948. Both are signed and stamped officially.
Of interest is the original inoculation certificate, dated 26 May 1921 and signed by the inoculating physician in Miederrhein, of this same German individual, who was born 6 November 1920. The certificate measures 6 1/2" width X 8" height.
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5" diameter X 2" height handcrafted hardwood circular box with the face of a cat deeply etched on the lid. Lined with green felt. Attractive, well-made piece. Click here to see an enlarged image of the cover.
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Two Alfred Mainzer dressed cat postcards. Each 5 1/2" width X 3 1/2" height, brightly coloured with deckled edges. Printed on the reverses: ALFRED MAINZER. INC. 39-33 29th STREET. LONG ISLAND CITY 1. NEW YORK; ALMA within a circle (Mainzer's logo); Printed in Belgium; 4978 on the upper postcard and 4852 on the lower postcard (the postcards' respective Mainzer numbers). These charming, whimsical postcards were at the height of their popularity from the 1940s to the 1960s.
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Steel folding key from the second half of the 19th Century. Slightly over 5" open, slightly under 2 7/8" closed. The folding key was invented to be carried in a vest, or waistcoat, pocket without falling out. Stamped 10 on one side of the lower, notched area.
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UK UNION JACK souvenir key ring. The obverse and the reverse identical. Yellow cord. 2 1/2" diameter X 3/8"thick. 5 3/4" overall height.
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Bauer Firearms Corporation, Fraser, Michigan, U.S.A. Model 25SSW, .25 calibre semiautomatic pistol in stainless steel with pearloid grips. Complete, all original and in excellent-plus condition. Accessories include an extra, second Bauer clip, the original box and the instructions, specifications and parts foldout brochure.
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Libyan leader Muammar Al Qathafi's controversial, revolutionary and certainly influential The Green Book. Hardcover, 6 3/4" height by 5" width, 120 pages. Published by the Public Establishment for Publishing, Advertising and Distribution, Tripoli, Libya. Mint condition. Accompanied by an engraved letter, "With the Compliments of The Permanent Mission of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United Nations".
Photographic portrait of an English gentleman. 6" height X 4" width overall. On the obverse, a black & white studio photograph of the subject, posed in formal attire. On the reverse, in sepia print against a white background, are the descriptive details of Seaman & Sons Studios, including their locations and services. A striking specimen of their work from the early 20th Century.
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This key ring depicts the 4¢ US postage stamp commemorating the nursing profession. The obverse shows a nurse lighting a candle, reproduced in faithful detail, including the edge perforations, as on the original stamp. The reverse has the motto, "Proud To Care". Each side is protectively covered under Lucite, as made. About 2 3/4" overall height, 1 3/4" body height. First class postage was four cents from 1 August 1958 to 6 January 1963.
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Vintage 2 1/2" square, with rounded corners, hinged Durol typewriter ribbon tin from Horder's of Chicago, Illinois, for an Underwood typewriter. In 1901, E. Y. Horder started an office products business in Chicago with the philosophy that "the ideal toward which we must strive is to build an imperishable reputation for integrity and fairness." Horder's motto proved a driving force and the business flourished under his leadership. In 1917, Associated Stationers Supply Company was established as the Horder's wholesale department. By 1958, Associated had eleven branch warehouse operations in the Midwest and Southeast. A seven-story building was erected in Chicago in 1929, serving Horder's until 1964 when it became headquarters for Boise Cascade Office Products.
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4" Hohner harmonica, in the key of C major, given as a pharmaceutical premium to promote Schering's "Once a day" Elocon Cream, 0.1%. Elocon Cream is a brand of mometasone furoate cream, a synthetic corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory activity for once daily dermatological use.
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7/8" diameter -- about the same as an American nickel coin -- medallion or token issued by The History Channel Club. The History Channel is a popular US cable television network. On the obverse, THE HISTORY CHANNEL CLUB around an American bald eagle; on the reverse, the year 1776 and the US Liberty Bell.
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5 1/2" height Hershey's Milk Chocolate drink bottle. 8 ounce size. With HERSHEY'S in clear lettering against a brown background and MILK CHOCOLATE in brown lettering against a clear background. The bottom marked SUN BROKERS INC., the bottle supplier, and 8, the number of ounces.
Jack Tanis, 614 Broome Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034-3837, USA
Telephone: 904.261.4628
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