Terry Bond

More interesting automobilia here from my collection - These are known as "souvenir vases." They are small ceramic objects produced in the early 1900s and sold in gift shops. They were most commonly found as the popularity of the automobile helped facilitate travel. Think of all the opportunities that were created as a result of our ability to go places and see wonderful things! Visits to places like Niagara Falls, historic homes, museums, and many other places you could only read about in National Geographic Magazine were possible for everyone. Wherever you stopped, there was always a gift-shop or souvenir stand so you could take a memory home. These simple mass-produced objects were most often decorated with photos of the place you were visiting. Others, though merely commemorated your automobile journey and had images like these. Those with just cars on them are not easily found, and there are only a few different images that seem to appear on them. the vases are from 4 to 5 inches tall. While the vases were the most commonly found types of decorated items, other small items like dishes, and unusual things like tiny shoes and even small automobiles were decorated. The vases most often appear in Cobalt blue. The images were transfer print "decals" that were hand colored prior to firing. The "ultimate' related object would have to be this great ceramic clock that has two different automobile images on it. Does anyone have other examples showing different objects or in different colors besides the cobalt blue? Enjoy Terry

What's the name stamped on the mica insulator plug on the right side? can't quite make it out in the photo. Terry

Do you collect brass? IF so, post some photos and share your collection with us. Ask any questions - the collective knowledge here just might produce the info you are looking for to go with your collection. I've collected them for years. Most of what I've learned has come from early advertising found in periodicals like Horseless Age, MoToR, and even some European publications like the British magazine Autocar. Very little actual company history exists other than some catalogs. I have a few in my collection but they are not easily found. The time they were in use was brief and what we see in use on the earliest vehicles (carbide and ol) was quickly replaced with newer improved electric lighting. They rapidly lost the character that makes the earlier brass lamps so interesting. I've done a couple of seminars for the AACA Annual conventions, and have posted often here on these forums and have been encouraged to write a book on the topic That hasn't happened, and although I'd like to be first to do that, it's not really a viable project. I don't have enough spare time to do the research and compile it all into an interesting book that probably wouldn't sell enough copies to break even. Best approach might be simply to reproduce some of those great early advertisements. I'll post on these forums if the "project" ever approaches fruition. Terry

That's great! Gotta find one!!! Terry

Single malt Scotch will help with your nightmares. Terry

Yup, that's one I've posted before. It's been for sale at that price for over 3 years now. Meantime, several other examples have been sold in well-promoted auctions for a fraction of that price. Reading through the listing the seller tries to promote himself as an expert - don't bother trying to tell him anything about the items he lists - he knows it all! I guess there is a big different between "knowing it all" and being really smart. There are many other similar listings I've posted about also - the stupid sepia toned print that has been for sale off and on for over three years and has ranged in price from $1500 to over $20,000.00 for one, and the silly sealing wax tube being advertised as a "rare automobile servicing candle." There are others. Did all these idiots go through the same kind of training somewhere? Terry

Yes, it's absolutely correct - the seller is just tossing something out there in hopes of finding that "sucker born every minute." They have no clue. Just because (according to the description) there isn't anything like it on the internet has nothing to do with its value. As to the quality of the item being offered - agree it's one of the worst framing jobs I've ever seen on a piece that's not even worth the cost of the plexiglass covering it. It's too bad the seller isn't smart enough to do a little more research. It wouldn't really take much effort to find out they paid too much to begin with.. It ain't the Mona Lisa for sure! Terry

A rare celluloid pin from my collection advertising the Black Crow automobile. According to the Standard Catalog of American Cars (Kimes/Clark), it was the product of the Black Manufacturing Company, better known for their popular high-wheeled automobile, introduced originally in 1908. In 1909, the company bought out the Aurora Motor Works, and in partnership with the Crow Motor Car Company in Elkhart, Indiana the new Black Crow was introduced in 1909. By 1910 however, Crow, who was responsible for all marketing of the car, cancelled the contract, producing only the Crow from that point on. that was the end of both Black and the Black-crow. Terry

It's was a fabulous publication. Wish I'd have collected/saved them while living in Scotland. I remember when they were being given away by vendors at Beaulieu when I was there for the autojumble. Terry

Another rant i suppose, but just had to share this one discovered on evil-bay late last evening. Someone is trying to sell this tattered, framed cover of an issue of MoToR Magazine right now. It's being listed with a "buy it now" price of $1,499.99! Says it was "professionally framed." The description really is interesting - nothing like it available on the internet so it must be rare! And of course, that makes it worth big bucks. Crazy stuff out there! Terry

Are you talking about the one Don Hess owned? Remember seeing that as a basket case. Later, at Hershey. I could be wrong but think that car went overseas after he passed away. Knew Don well. Terry

Not sure what it WAS...now it's a hotrod.

Nothing new. The idea goes back to the early 1900s. They were generally advertised as producing "two sparks." Of course that was not really true. Thousands of different brand name plugs have been produced over the years. No such thing as a "new idea" in that game. Terry

Yup. It's a repop. Nothing like that ever appeared on a gas pump.

I think the most commonly used "hogs head" is the top of a Model T Ford transmission casing. That cover does resemble a "hogs head."

Or, you could make just one trip.. 2dadump 2dadump. 2dadump dump dump.

Wow - one of my favorites! It's in super condition too. Tell us how you found it- Terry

What a race! Wish I was there, but nothing compares to the TV coverage for detail and the replay features. Yes, the tire going over the stands was frightening. Saw later it bounced off a car parked out back by some golf carts. Probably an area where track workers or officials parked. Nobody around that area apparently, but you can bet those openings are going to be fenced up next year to prevent a repeat. Amazing the race finished up the way it did - green flag straight out of the pits and a one-lap shoot-out to the finish. A great driver with a bold move in the final drag race got his 1st Indy 500 win. It was a thrilling day for Indy fans. Got a text from friends there to see it in person. Just as thrilling in person. Terry

Engines just started. Hard to believe it's been a year.

Lump is common slang for the engine. Pulling the lump = removing the engine. Mole wrench = vise grips. Terry

Oh-we could go on and on... I've got a few. and some are really much hated! The word 'Vintage" should be removed from the English language! When I see it, it instantly registers as a "rip-off" kind of term that to the seller means "you figure out how old it really is." To me, it means the seller is trying to wiggle out of their responsibility to know what they are selling, or they are intentional being deceitful. It's seen frequently used to describe fake collectables Another one that I've learned the hard way is "Surface Rust." In my experience, the more of that "surface" you sand and grind only reveals new rusted surface. I guess the "surface" of those deep rust pits is still considered "surface"??? As long as you are not country-specific, the British have some excellent words and terms that sometimes leave us Yanks totally befuddled. Example - it's always been curious to me where radio antenna holes are drilled on MGBs. Some are on the left, some on the right. Some are in the cowl, some in the fender. Talking to an MGB expert, a Brit with actual dealer experience, he explained it nicely. The radios and components were always dealer installed. They came wrapped up in the truck (boot). Along with all that stuff was a template showing where the antenna hole should be located. It was described in "Brit-speak" indicating whether the hold should be drilled "nearside" or "offside." American dealers had no idea what that meant so they tossed out the template and just drilled holes where they figured they should be. Another term found commonly in British service manuals is "reassembly is the opposite of disassembly." I guess it's intended to save ink and paper in the printing process. In reality though, it assumes that what was disassembled was originally properly assembled in the first place. having restored or worked on a number of MGs over the years, I'm always left wondering how they did that to begin with! Common to a lot of cars is the fact many chassis components were assembled before the body or other major components were ever installed. Right now, I'm finishing up a complete brake system restoration on our 1948 MGTC. Correct routing of all the new pipes is nicely documented but, it was all originally done with no body on the chassis. Sure would make life much easier that way. See if you can decipher the following British terms- Dizzy Boot Bonnet Spanner Lump Wing Knock-off Mudguard Windscreen Chubby box Track rod Accumulator Dynamo Gudgeon pin Damper Half-Shaft Scuttle Silencer Trunnion Tickoverr Split pin Quarterlite Mole Wrench etc.etc.etc.etc.

Look at it this way - what will happen to them once you're gone? Will anyone be glad you saved them? I think we've already established there isn't any monetary value. Terry

So, still pondering things? What do you think it's worth?

Welcome to the GTO gang! ITell ius more and SEND PICS!!! Terry

I want to publicly thank Richard for doing the article about me and Susan for the latest issue. We enjoyed his visit last July and spending time just chatting about stuff. He managed to take a few moments of conversation and turn it into something special. His talent is amazing and Crankshaft Magazine shows that. Back to the garage-more work to do. Terry