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andrew craven
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« on: October 04, 2011, 11:46:17 pm » |
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Could this be metaphysical? The opposite of our needs and desires, of what we can not get due to lack of funds or budgeting and due to which, lost it when you returned to grab when one finds the cash. For example:
Last year, I never forget, I found this navy blue double breasted tunic with brass coin buttons and pink facings at one of many vintage traders in Afflecks Palace of Manchester. I tried it on and it fitted perfectly and I immediately fell in love with it...but alas, its price tag was £70 and I hadnt a penny to my name. I tried to implore the trader to part exchange it for a tweed jacket or accept instalments and the swine wouldnt allow it..I was gutted. I kept on going back to it in the days ahead, fantasising in owning this tunic...eventually someone snapped it up and I was left wanting.
At the same trader, last weekend, they sold a traditional Marlon Brando leather bikers jacket but in a distressed brown leather with brass zippers and press-studs....another garment they sold I fell in love with but had the price tag of £80...and yet, I am left wanting because I can not afford it. I wouldnt be surprised if it goes very soon...oh the sadness!
Another similar thing happened in one of many Oxfam outlets in Madchester...I found another trad leather bikers jacket...a real black leather Marlon Brando one that was going for £10. Now this is the ultimate bargain...but I was without cash, even at that amount. When I found this it was a fortnight ago. Yesterday I tried my luck to see if it was there but I knew full well it would have flown at the crack of a whip....and it did! What an ultimate buggarwoo or what!?
So there you have it...me being masochistic on a thread, telling my misfortunes and losses of the wardrobe....iIn the steampunk scene, is there anything you would like to impart that made you disapointed in this manner!?
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Capt. Stockings
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« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2011, 12:09:50 am » |
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A few years ago, I was very close to aquiring a hand-engraved gold hunter's case ladies pocket watch from the 1890's. Unfortunately, I was outbid at the last moment.
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D.Oakes
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« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2011, 12:55:29 am » |
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I was at a higher end flea market a few years back selling antiques. I had $60 in my pocket that I had planned to spend on something. I couldn't find anything that sparked my interest other than an original Jezail rifle a guy selling guns had across the way from me. All day I stood there plotting my chances to actually make the thousands of dollars it was worth to buy it, assuming this guy actually knew what he had. Most everyone always knew what they had and would often put the prices higher than things were actually worth. A buyer approached him and I listened carefully. "How much is the Jezail?" "The what?" "This gun." "Oh $50..." And so it sold.
Lesson of the story, even if you know you cannot afford something, ask for the price anyway, you may actually be able to afford it.
Oh and an old hospital surgical table. I was with a friend, he wanted the table, but knew his wife would not let him bring it in the house. I wanted the table but thought I must have a mental defect to consider something of that nature after what I had been through with my mom. So we decided to let the idea simmer for awhile and come back in a few days if we had convinced ourselves to purchase it. Finally we did convince ourselves that we would get it, we'd split the cost 50/50, store it at my house and use it for plays and photographic projects. IT WAS GONE!
Had that happen with a wicker coffin once too. Makes me happy that I am not the only one with morbid tastes.
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« Last Edit: October 05, 2011, 01:00:36 am by D.Oakes »
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Zeppelin Kapitan Fritz
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« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2011, 02:31:50 am » |
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Deleted Post.
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« Last Edit: October 05, 2011, 03:29:01 am by Zeppelin Kapitan Fritz »
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TVC15
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« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2011, 03:41:29 am » |
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Don't know if this fits in this category or maybe "Things You Almost Bought But They Wouldn't Bargain".
At a local yard sale the other day and saw a 'portable record player'. This one had detachable speakers and the turntable folded up into the cabinet. The price was $50 and was in relatively good shape. I offered the owner $10 for it and got "Oh no. That was my grandmother's and has a lot of sentiment attached." I walked on and didn't bother to explain that I was not buying sentimentality that day.
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Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time...
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Kryss LaBryn
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« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2011, 04:19:52 am » |
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When I was seventeen (this was a looong time ago haha), our local second-hand shop had a lovely Victrola, wooden case, wind-up, big bell (don't remember now if it was brass or black metal) "speaker", that played wax cylinders, which it also came with a box of. It was in excellent, amazing condition, like new; the only thing wrong with it was that the spring that guided the needle along the rotating cyinder had broken and needed to be replaced.
It was $75. Canadian. Which at that time meant about $40 American, not that that was of much help to me up here in Canada, but that puts it in perspective.
I even had the $75. And I could have probably replaced the spring (which was on top and complete accessible) for less than five bucks.
Ask me if I bought it. Go on, ask. *Facepalm*
Seventeen-year-old-me was an idiot. I guess it was a combination of "What would my parents say if I came home with this (to me) very expensive yet non-functional antique" and "Um... not sure if I can fix that myself." Completely ignored the fact that my brother had just bought a damned Wurlitzer with no probs from my parents, and that my dad was both a millwright and a mechanic, who probably could have replaced the spring easily if I couldn't. Hell, he probably would have had one that would have worked kicking around.
Yeah. Idiot.
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Please excuse any spelling/grammatical/coherence errors I've made; I'm trying out new pain meds. Wheee!
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Captain Lyerly
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« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2011, 03:27:54 pm » |
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 A couple of years ago, at an antiques mall in Williamsburg, Virginia, I was escorting La Contessa, and not finding much of interest. Finally, I found a solid sterling silver cane top. Large but not uncomfortable in the hand, well carved and engraved without being gaudy, and definitely antique. I placed it at the counter with our other selections; when we paid, they had already wrapped most of our things... it got left out. I didn't actually pay for it, but we didn't realize it wasn't in the parcel until we were well down the road the next day. I should have turned around and gone back for it. It was only $35.00; it was about a pound and a half of silver. Even though sterling, not fine, the metal alone was worth well over what he was asking - now, it would be worth over $800.00 in silver alone. Waaaah. Cheers Chas.
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Captain Sir Charles A. Lyerly, O.B.T.
Soldier of Fortune and Gentleman Adventurer
wire: captain_lyerly, at wire office "Yahoo dot Qom"
"You'd think he'd learn."
"Heh! De best minions neffer do!"
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VampirateMace
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« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2011, 06:18:18 am » |
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Yes... it was skeleton pocket watch. The shop has regular sales... so I waited for it to come down into my budget. It sold before I got there. I asked if there would be any new ones in. There wouldn't, so I went to another branch of the same store to see if they still had theirs. The arrogant attendant told me that they had in fact NEVER sold skeleton pocket watches.
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Several modern detectives now claim that “Jack the Ripper” was actually named Carl.
“Carl the Ripper” just doesn’t have the same ring.
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SteampunkObserver
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« Reply #8 on: October 07, 2011, 04:22:42 am » |
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I will occasionally play mind games with myself in which I contemplate what would have happened if I had bought some antique piece I once eyed in place of another which now sits in my collection. I always regret them. While it is interesting to contemplate such might-have-beens, I feel like such contemplation should be left to those with less to be happy about than I. I'm quite happy I can't justify it.
V/r,
~SO
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Guinevere Meander
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« Reply #9 on: October 24, 2011, 10:22:11 am » |
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Some years ago they tore down an old warehouse near where I lived and there was a huge old white enameld arger/stove. The kind like in "Posh-Nosh".... free for me, if I could get a truck, a lift and 3 men by the end of the day (4 h left)........I couldn't!
I still dream about the dishes I would have cooked on it
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"...it was here just a minute ago!" Motto of the lovely Lady Guinevere Meander
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Capt. Dirigible
Rogue Ætherlord
 United Kingdom
Shirts?.....I got plenty at 'ome.
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« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2011, 12:14:29 pm » |
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Last year..during a short period of a couple of weeks when my PayPal account was unaccessable to me someone on Ebay was selling Royal Artillery trousers (dark blue with broad red stripe down the side, highwaisted with braces buttons and the strap that goes under the foot to stop rucking up). Not so unusual..but he actually had them in my waist and leg length which is SO rare (I'm 6ft 4ins and over 17 stone)..and he only wanted £20 for them but would only accept payment by PayPal. Of course..by the time my account had been unfrozen all the RA trousers in all sizes had gone..
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I say, Joe it's jolly frightening out here.
Nonsense dear boy, you should be more like me.
But look at you! You're shaking all over!
Shaking? You silly goose! I'm just doing the Watusi
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Evelyn Adler
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« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2011, 12:38:16 pm » |
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Not exactly "wanted to buy but couldn't"... worse than that:
some years ago I had been unemployed and found work in another city. Because I could only go to my old home on weekends, a friend helped me to clean out the attic.
Among other things he threw away an old leather "Doctor's bag" and several original dresses from the 50's complete with petticoats and accessories. When asked about it, he was like "what did you want with that old crap anyway?"
We are no longer friends.
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Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary. (Cecil Beaton)
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Inflatable Friend
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« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2011, 12:42:59 pm » |
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At the Malvern car boot sale last year I saw a foot and a half tall anatomical skeleton model, every bone separate, carved from horn and with its velvet display case.
It would have blown almost all of my budget, but was a thing of beauty. Torn between running into financial nightmares later on in the month and owning a much needed anatomical reference piece I decided to get a coffee and think it over.
When I returned cash in hand, it was gone.
The worst part is that more and more I find myself needing a good reference model, but they cost £300-£400!
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Capt. Dirigible
Rogue Ætherlord
United Kingdom
Shirts?.....I got plenty at 'ome.
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« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2011, 12:53:35 pm » |
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The Blackwells book shop on the Ground Floor of The Wellcome Collection in Euston Road has a variety of anatomically correct skeletons from 12" to almost 6ft tall. They're plastic of course but reasonably priced should you still require a skeleton, Inflatable Friend.
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Inflatable Friend
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« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2011, 12:59:24 pm » |
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Alas, wrong country these days! But I'll check their website, see what I can bag myself!
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Capt. Dirigible
Rogue Ætherlord
United Kingdom
Shirts?.....I got plenty at 'ome.
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« Reply #15 on: October 24, 2011, 02:22:48 pm » |
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Alas, wrong country these days! But I'll check their website, see what I can bag myself!
I've just had a look at their selection and the largest they do at present seems to be just under 33"...at £53. But I have definitelty seen life size ones for sale but no idea what price.. |
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D.Oakes
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« Reply #17 on: October 25, 2011, 08:21:17 am » |
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D.Oakes walks into the bank. Banker: How can I help you? D.Oakes: I'd like to take out a small business loan. Banker: Well it's not as simple as that, we need to go over quite a few things with you and see if.... D.Oakes: Look! I WANT A TYRANNOSAURUS AND I WANT IT NOW!! |
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OswaldBastable
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« Reply #18 on: October 25, 2011, 07:17:09 pm » |
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I once missed out on a circa 1900-05 Rifle Brigade Dress uniform that would actually fit me by feeding the cat and missing the end of the auction by about 5 seconds; it went for peanuts  |
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C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre
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Capt. Dirigible
Rogue Ætherlord
United Kingdom
Shirts?.....I got plenty at 'ome.
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« Reply #19 on: October 25, 2011, 07:27:47 pm » |
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I once missed out on a circa 1900-05 Rifle Brigade Dress uniform that would actually fit me by feeding the cat and missing the end of the auction by about 5 seconds; it went for peanuts Oh that's tragic! You must have been gutted. |
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andrew craven
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« Reply #20 on: October 25, 2011, 07:31:41 pm » |
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Damn shame Recently I lost a fifteen quid oppertunity of owning a modern British Army Number 2 dress tunic and trousers. Something I could have turned into something else with edge but alas! |
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Poppy Locks
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« Reply #21 on: October 26, 2011, 08:59:41 pm » |
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I've been after a silk tophat for some time. Unfortunately I have a very large head - a size 7 and a half - which for a female is somewhat unusual! The sale I am mourning was maybe 2 years ago. An online auction site had a hat which appeared to be the perfect size. It was nicely shaped and the silk looked in very good condition. I watched the auction and towards the end joined in with the bidding.
I had my limit set at £70 and I watched carefully as the price edged towards my limit. Within a minute from the end of the auction I placed my bid and I was in the lead! Then someone else dared bid on MY hat! The price went over my limit by £1! I frantically tried to add to my bid but with no luck. The top hat went to someone else for a total of £71.
Had I known then what I know now I think I might have upped my limit! I dont think I have seen another victorian silk top hat for less than £200.
Ooops....
Poppy
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MWBailey
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« Reply #22 on: October 26, 2011, 10:17:01 pm » |
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Colt Patterson nongun replica for only 60 bucks. Saw it at the Alamo in SA over one of the Folklife Festival weekends, but didnt have the cash and was (still am, really) stingy with the card. Next festival? They'd stopped carrying the whole line of nonguns. AARRGGHHH!
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Walk softly and carry a big banjo...
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OswaldBastable
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« Reply #23 on: October 26, 2011, 11:40:15 pm » |
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I once missed out on a circa 1900-05 Rifle Brigade Dress uniform that would actually fit me by feeding the cat and missing the end of the auction by about 5 seconds; it went for peanuts Oh that's tragic! You must have been gutted. I may have vented quite loudly, luckily everyone was out at the time  |
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OswaldBastable
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« Reply #24 on: October 26, 2011, 11:41:40 pm » |
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I've been after a silk tophat for some time. Unfortunately I have a very large head - a size 7 and a half - which for a female is somewhat unusual! The sale I am mourning was maybe 2 years ago. An online auction site had a hat which appeared to be the perfect size. It was nicely shaped and the silk looked in very good condition. I watched the auction and towards the end joined in with the bidding.
I had my limit set at £70 and I watched carefully as the price edged towards my limit. Within a minute from the end of the auction I placed my bid and I was in the lead! Then someone else dared bid on MY hat! The price went over my limit by £1! I frantically tried to add to my bid but with no luck. The top hat went to someone else for a total of £71.
Had I known then what I know now I think I might have upped my limit! I dont think I have seen another victorian silk top hat for less than £200.
Ooops....
Poppy
ooohh bad luck I'm sure a silk topper is the holy grail of many a steampunk; I often watch them on ebay and as you say they usually go for a few hundred |
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