tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32530262725863712332024-03-08T12:55:33.935-06:00A Picker's JournalThe musings, advice, stories, tips, and much more of a 25+ year veteran of the antiques business. From a picker to a picker/dealer, and back!FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-7359826432134351412023-08-30T15:02:00.003-05:002023-08-30T15:32:48.327-05:00Did You Get A Job Offer From Fedora Antiques? BEWARE! It Wasn't Actually From Fedora Antiques!<p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif" style="color: #5d5b66; font-size: 15px;"><b>There is a new scam going around, and it seems the scammers are using/victimizing various antiques shops across Canada.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Unfortunately, the list includes mine.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Some scammer, based who-knows-where overseas, has created a bogus Gmail address using my shop name. The fake email is fedoraantiqueandcollectibles@gmail.com. That is NOT my email. </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You'll notice it is "antique", rather than "antiques". Usually missing the "s" points towards someone who is not entirely fluent in English.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The scam works like this: The scammer posts a "job offer" on a Facebook group, and the interested parties are sent a "job offer" letter. The one below is what was sent to a potential victim, who was nice enough to send a copy of to me. The scammer has essentially copied various aspects of my website and information to create the bogus letter.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="https://store-joe8ieddaw.mybigcommerce.com/product_images/uploaded_images/fakeemploymentletterfromscammer.jpg" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Notice they tried to "official it up" by adding a Canadian Antiques Dealers logo at the bottom. I don't belong to that group, as thy require 80% of your inventory to be true antiques, and my shop does not qualify, as I deal in a wide variety of collectibles and vintage items, also. </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Anyway, you then are "interviewed" over Telegram, and once they give you the "job", you are sent a (bogus) cheque, which you are instructed to deposit, and then use the money to buy Apple Pay gift cards "for customers".</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Then I assume the scammer cashes said cards, and is gone with your money.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, then the victim contacts the real business, expecting to be paid for their work, also not realizing they have been scammed until the cheque comes back to them as uncashable.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I found out about it from two individuals contacting me to find out if the offer was a legitimate one. I delved into the issue, and found out this information I have detailed here. I also now know I am one of about 5 antiques shops that have been victimized across Canada, though the number is likely higher than 5. Here is an article on one of the <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/scammers-fool-dozens-of-job-seekers-using-popular-london-ont-antique-shop-as-cover-1.6907585" target="_blank">business victims</a>.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, if you ever see job postings for data entry positions, administrative assistant positions, etc, beware that they could be scams such as this, and be aware that the business names being used are just stolen from legitimate honest businesses to give a veil of legitimacy to the scam.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: none; color: #34313f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Be careful out there!</p>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-38823262457521132962023-08-10T15:06:00.001-05:002023-08-10T15:07:34.375-05:00New Things are Happening!<p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, I have been neglecting the blog, as you can tell, considering my last post was in 2021! But, I have been active on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgxUmXRLQn_KT9vHXhp13g" target="_blank">YouTube</a> since then, so please check it out. You can catch up on all the drama that occurred with the sale of my property and follow my progress in renovations of my new-to-me commercial building. Renovations are still ongoing, as cash flow permits. As I type this, there are electricians retrofitting new LED lighting in the old fluorescents. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The shop is looking brighter by the minute! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Also, the latest major event is the launch of my new website, <a href="http://www.fedoraantiques.com">www.fedoraantiques.com</a>! I have been meaning to get a website up for nearly 20 years, so it is about time! So far, there are a bit under 300 listings already on there, but I am trying to load more on it every week, sometimes daily. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Blog wise, that is where I will be doing blog posts in the future, though I might post them here as well, haven't quite decided yet. I will be copying older posts from this blog to the website blog, as well as potentially doing fresh ones as inspiration hits, though many end up instead as videos on YouTube, so I suggest following me there. In any case, check out the new website when you have a chance!</span></p>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-64132152987976694062021-01-26T18:37:00.000-06:002021-01-26T18:38:41.184-06:00Long Time No Post<p> </p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Sorry folks, it has been all too long since I last blogged. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">But, truth is, vlogging and creating videos on YouTube has taken up the time I would normally be spending blogging here. It has been tough, actually, as I can't seem to get the hang of how to create views. I see so many videos with 1000, 10000, 100 000 and more views, with crap content, and wonder what I am doing wrong. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I am not saying my content is "top quality", but when there are videos of people popping their pimples getting a million views, you have to wonder what the heck is going on when your video gets only 20 views.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">It is a strange beast, YouTube. </span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The best way to keep up with what has been going on, frankly, is my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgxUmXRLQn_KT9vHXhp13g" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I will try to blog some over the next while, though I have several projects on the go, not the least of which is the day to day struggle of making a living. I have a book I really need to get back to writing, on the mysterious man known as "The Mad Trapper Of Rat River", aka Albert Johnson. I do have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OnTheTrailOfAJ" target="_blank">FB page about my work on that</a>. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I also want to get working on a movie/cable TV miniseries idea I have about an antiques dealer, sort of a twisted cross between American Pickers & Breaking Bad. Not so sure how to get started, aside from just writing the story itself, and perhaps publishing it as a book, and hoping a production company wants to do something with it. I have lots of jottings about/on unique characters, ideas, twists, curves and surprises. I suppose I could just write it in a screenplay format, though there is a learning curve there. I imagine it as a screenplay, so that might be the way to go. Still undecided, though I was going to tie into it this evening, but ended up working on this blog posting instead. Anyone know of a production company looking for unique ideas and would be interested in an elevator pitch? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Anyway, this posting is starting to get long, so will cut it off there. I do recommend you <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgxUmXRLQn_KT9vHXhp13g" target="_blank">subscribe to my YouTube channel</a>, and catch up on what is going on currently. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span> </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-43121845281709350732020-05-04T15:05:00.001-05:002020-05-04T15:06:33.349-05:00MAY 2020 - Update !<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Been slacking off on the blog, and for those of you who follow the blog, I do apologize. Making videos on youtube, or vlogs as they sometimes get called, has been front and center of my 'blogging' activities for the past several months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been creating weekly update videos, which you can access <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnbbp9TKJeM&list=PLu3eMPDjunReXN_y6Y1gnTi5eAjRcC_90">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are already over 70 update videos alone there. Most are well under 10 minutes, so you could binge watch them all and see my progress from moving from the old place, buying the new place, and doing renos, and moving in, and progress from there setting up. Still have lots to do, of course. Had to get a living space built from scratch, and technically it still isn't 100% complete, but I am living in the building now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Was hoping to monetize them eventually, but now youtube has announced changes that may make that a pipe dream. You used to have to have 1000 subscribers (which is daunting enough to get to), and a few thousand viewing hours on your channel in order to get access to the monetization point, where they put ads and such on your videos, and give you a cut. It is not big money by any stretch (not until you hit a million subscribers, really), but also by that level you do get some perks and features not otherwise available to you. But, now, if you don;t hit that threshold by June 1st, you won't be grandfathered into the new levels, which apparently will be something like 4000 subscribers and many more viewing hours than before. With my videos being so short, and with people's attention spans being even shorter, it would have been tough enough to get to the old levels, but now it seems even tougher, almost insurmountable.....Would pretty much need a video to go viral in order to accomplish what seems to be the impossible at this point. I have maybe 75 subscribers now, which has taken many months to get to, so to get another 925 before June 1st seems like an utter impossibility. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It makes me now doubt the value of the YouTube platform. It is like the "AirMiles" program where they kept downgrading the value of the mileage points you have earned. Just when you think you could afford that toaster with your mileage points, suddenly they downgraded the points/miles to a level that you could only afford to buy the ballpoint pen with your "miles". </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, what I am doing may or may not change in the coming few months, as far as blogging and vlogging goes. We shall see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-50780662797853443122019-11-22T14:28:00.002-06:002019-11-22T14:31:57.757-06:00Another Update in the New Chapter of Life<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, much has gotten done since the last post. Not as much as I would like, mind you. The whole reno process is slow, with some of the tradespeople doing work, then coming back a <i>week</i> later to complete it. That has been frustrating, especially when one set of tradespeople need the work of another set of tradespeople to be done so they can continue their work....the days and weeks in between have been adding up fast. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The carpenters have been moving the fastest, though with hunting season upon us, they had to take a week off to go hunting. Oh well, they have gotten the most done, really, and have earned their money.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can keep abreast of the weekly changes by subscribing and watching the videos <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgxUmXRLQn_KT9vHXhp13g?view_as=subscriber">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Things are slow as far as the shop storefront is going, as I can't do much until the floors are washed, and without running water I can't get that done. The electricians just got the power going to the pump, and now the pump doesn't seem to be pumping water...so, I still can't call the floor cleaner to come and do the front part of the shop floor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had hoped I'd at least be living in the living quarters by now, but these delays are not helping the situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trying to have patience, but my anxiety has been rising with the delays, and watching the money go out far faster than it is coming in. I am not bring in to much as far as income goes, because most of my inventory is packed....and I can't unpack much inventory until the shop gets set up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Stuck between a rock and a hard place. But that is where I have to operate for now. Anyways, as I mentioned before, to keep up and current, just catch the videos as they are posted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy pickin'!</span><br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-87280231518667937312019-10-17T11:44:00.002-05:002019-10-17T11:47:14.672-05:00Update on the New Chapter of Life<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is now October 17th, 2019. Things are slowly moving ahead. The plumber is here, and has jack-hammered out a section of the concrete floor to rough in the plumbing for my new washroom...at great expense. About $2300 of expense, actually. That is a chunk of my budget, but I guess it is a necessary chunk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The carpenters, meanwhile, are at a stand still because they are at the point they need to do some more drywall. The electrician didn't finish up the electrical that is needed to be done, so the drywall can't be finished in the living space. A week later I finally had to call to see what the holdup was, and now the guy at their office is checking their schedule to get him back here to finish up. I was also told the worker came by on Friday (when there was storm warnings stating travel wasn't advised & I had a lawyer's appointment in a city nearby at 1:30) and on the morning of which I didn't even receive a call saying he was there needing access. I guess I was supposed to somehow use my ESP to know he was going to be there....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Communication doesn't seem to be their strong suit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyways, I am hoping/assuming their work is better than their communication skills. They were recently bought out by another firm, so perhaps it is growing pains?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All in all, the progress is slow, and my budget is being eaten away quickly....concerned I will still be left with renovation bills to pay and no money to pay them immediately. As for sales, it is tough to sell stuff when it is all packed, and you can't open the doors to the public. Online sales via ETSY are slow, maybe 1 - 3 sales a week, and they are usually not significant dollar amounts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Was really hoping to have some funds left to tide me over the winter, but it is definitely not looking that it will turn out that way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, it is a matter of "sell, sell, sell" again...But, at least my expenses will be lower (assuming my heat bills are not outrageous and nothing pops up that I am not expecting), without a mortgage to pay, lower heat bills, and generally lower monthly expenses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's about it for today. As I mentioned before, you can follow the ups and downs of the daily progress by watching my videos on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgxUmXRLQn_KT9vHXhp13g?view_as=subscriber">YouTube here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Safe picking!</span><br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-49738055447238523472019-10-09T14:14:00.003-05:002019-10-09T14:15:37.299-05:00A Fall Post<div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, been a busy summer, but not much to blog about....well, actually, there has been lots going on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest news is that the property has been sold, and I am no longer the owner of it as of September 30th. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, where am I now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The new property is at 230 Cameron St (AKA North Railway St) in Oak Lake, MB. It is just 5 minutes east down the highway of where I was. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The building is about 3500 square feet, and I am putting in a living quarters at the back of the building, taking up about 1/5th or so of the building. It is a tiny space, but it will do. As a result of my living quarters being so small, my display space is limited...as a result, I have to divest myself of some of my personal collections. So, that will mean some cool items being put into inventory in the shop!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also had to let go/abandon approx. $200,000 retail worth of inventory at the property. That consisted all of the outdoor inventory, and a fair bit of what was in the basement; internet inventory, "future" stuff, lamp parts, a pinball machine, a 1890s counter top, a 1960s bar that had soda fountain stools on it (which I had planned to use as my kitchen eating area), among other things that I hated to let go, but really had no choice. The time frame for moving the entire 12 years worth of accumulation was 6 weeks, so I simply did not have the time. I technically didn't have 6 weeks to move stuff, as I had to pack, and find a place to re-establish. I was lucky to acquire the building I did, despite the amount of reno I have to do to get it up to usable condition. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you wish to follow/see the progress from "start" to "now", check out the YouTube videos on my channel, under the heading <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgxUmXRLQn_KT9vHXhp13g?view_as=subscriber">"New Chapter In Life"</a>. You will want to start at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnbbp9TKJeM&t=10s">Update 1</a>, and go from there. To keep abreast of new videos, click on the SUBSCRIBE button under teh bottom right corner of the videos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The videos should update you on what has gone on over the past 7 weeks.....or longer, depending on when you are reading this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy picking!</span></div>
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FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-14849863089833330522019-06-18T19:29:00.002-05:002019-06-18T19:33:21.547-05:00Update!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Been awhile since the last post, so I figured I better do a little writing. Am delving into doing YouTube videos, and have established a channel, which can be found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgxUmXRLQn_KT9vHXhp13g?view_as=subscriber">here</a>. Trying to do some videos of stories I have, as well as picking videos, magnet fishing videos, metal detecting videos, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Haven't been inspired to do any blogging as of late, as you may have noticed. I have been writing some, working on my book on the Mad Trapper. To keep tabs on that, I do have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OnTheTrailOfAJ/">Facebook page</a> for it that you can "LIKE" and keep an eye on. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Other than that, just have been trying to make money to cover bills; nothing much different than the norm. I guess the most exciting thing is my starting to do videos. It is something I should have started ages ago, but better late than never, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a learning curve to do the videos...practice, practice, practice. So, the easiest ones to make tend to be the stories, then magnet fishing ones. Some of the stories are contained within this blog, but some are ones I haven't written down, so you may want to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kPurxtibnk&list=PLu3eMPDjunReaWsVJi84r1WTLoIOoGm_O">check them out</a>! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-4955107287463782412019-04-06T17:38:00.001-05:002019-04-06T18:05:35.660-05:00American Pickers Coming To Canada? Unlikely...<br />
<br />
These days Canadian Pickers is existing only in re-runs.<br />
<br />
So, the way should be clear for American Pickers to come to Canada, right?<br />
<br />
Well, it hasn't happened (for reasons unknown), and now is less likely to happen.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://kiik1049.com/american-picker-frank-fritz-pleads-to-guilty-dui/">Frank got <i>busted.</i></a><br />
<br />
Yep, a DUI....was intoxicated on booze and Xanax, apparently.<br />
<br />
So, now he has a criminal record, and thus will be ineligible to come into Canada....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-32543408136790773192019-01-12T17:44:00.002-06:002019-01-12T17:53:01.449-06:00Dark Provenance - Nautical Antiques <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first thing you are probably thinking of by the title of this posting are things like shipwreck artifacts. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That is, artifacts salvaged from a what was a tragedy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Frankly, that is an area of collecting expertise well covered by collectors across the world. One associate of mine specializes in items with dark histories; and one of his collections includes artifacts from the Titanic disaster.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Someone has to preserve such items, and I have no problem with collections of items from such events, as it is history preservation. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The items I have a problem with that have a dark provenance tend to have acquired that darkness of history <i>far</i> more recently.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nautical antiques, from ship lighting, port holes, ship compasses, furniture, bouys, bells, assorted architectural details, and countless other artifacts are sourced from ships that have undergone renovations, or more than likely have literally been broken up and the hulks pillaged and salvaged until there is nothing of value left.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_breaking">Ship breaking</a> is the source of the vast majority of nautical antiques and collectibles out there today, especially when it comes to 1950s and newer items from these vessels.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ship breaking is an industry that is undertaken in several countries, and the business of ship breaking in third world countries is a scary industry; one responsible for horrid working conditions, pollution and environmental damage, horrific deaths of workers...and in some cases slavery-like conditions & use of child labour.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And, with such unregulated and unsafe conditions, how do you know that item you are purchasing is not in some way been contaminated with hazardous chemicals/substances, radioactivity, etc?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, you may wish to view these two videos before purchasing that neat light, brass ship gizmo, vintage life preserver, etc, and strive to find out the source of that item first.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ship Breaking in Bangledesh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cVGWTzKo8 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ship Breaking in Mumbai, India: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jdEG_ACXLw </span><br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-44601010755105879962018-11-28T18:20:00.001-06:002018-11-28T18:20:43.693-06:00HEY, TV Production Companies! How about a change?<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reality TV has touched on the antiques and collectibles business, but TV production companies are missing a huge market that they should have long since realized exists.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is obviously a large market for vintage themed reality TV shows such as American Pickers, Storage Wars, and a long list of vintage related shows that are running on assorted networks, not to mention another long list of shows which have come and gone (though some have reached temporary immortality by way of re-runs).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But, we are growing tired of all this "reality"...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, it has been established that a substantial market for a vintage themed shows exists, that is obvious.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> But we vintage themed folks also enjoy more than "reality" themed shows. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We all watch fictional productions, from legal dramas, assorted romantic comedies, other dramas of all sorts, action shows, and on and on...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are part of the general viewing public, after all.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, I pose a question to TV production companies out there....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How about a <i>FICTIONAL </i>show about the antiques business<i>? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Or are we stuck with trying to find and watch reruns of<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovejoy" target="_blank"> <b>Lovejoy</b></a></i> ?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And while we are on the topic of Lovejoy...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Being the writer and general creative sort I am, I have several ideas, including a fairly fleshed out one that is essentially a modernized cross between (now imagine this).....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovejoy">Lovejoy</a></i> </b>and<b> </b><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter_(TV_series)"><b>Dexter.</b></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">It would be good my friends, <i><b>very</b></i> <b>good</b>...just like the antiques business itself, it would have unique characters galore, twists, turns, shocks, and surprises, not to mention inside information, jokes, etc geared to those in the world of vintage. </span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It will be one of those shows where there are times you want to turn away, but just <i>can't</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So how about it, all you TV execs out there? When do we get our own truly fictional shows?</span>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-49781030485662297252018-11-28T16:05:00.001-06:002018-12-05T12:26:57.548-06:00Future of Collecting - Vintage Tech Hunters<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the questions on people's minds in the antiques & collectibles biz is what the future holds for the business. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is a business that relies on new blood to come to it, and if the same people are the only market, the market gets thin, values plummet. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, change is the way of the world, and changing is what you have to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is adapt or die, really.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the areas of collecting that has come in to its own is <i><b>technology. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Interest in vintage technology has increased and risen from what could have been considered a niche market for electronics nerds to a mainstream audience. This rise has been made even more evident by the appearance of a new reality TV show in the marketplace called <a href="https://www.bellmedia.ca/pr/press/discoverys-newest-original-canadian-series-vintage-tech-hunters-unearths-retro-technology-and-rare-pop-culture-treasures-premiering-nov-5/" target="_blank"><b>Vintage Tech Hunters</b>.</a> (Promo reel <a href="https://review.bellmedia.ca/view/690794070">here</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This Canadian produced show is in the Canadian market (soon to the US market?), and at the time of this blog has had a half dozen episodes aired already. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The show does keep its premise pretty simple, with hosts Shaun Hatton & Bohus Blahut travelling many miles across the US and Canada searching for vintage tech at flea markets, at garage sales, in old warehouses, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is a familiar formula, that seems at first was borrowed from American Pickers. It is far from the first show to utilize a version of the formula, and I doubt is going to be the last, as a successful formula is not something production companies are going to sit and ignore. It is cut back a little in comparison to American Pickers, resulting in a more streamlined show, which is "lighter" and as a result actually does seem more palatable & appealing in its content to those who are not necessarily into vintage tech.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, the next time you walk by a vintage video game system, some ancient electric gadget, or that video disc player, think about the money you could well be leaving on the table.</span>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-86153349104257684762018-11-20T12:38:00.001-06:002018-11-20T12:38:40.073-06:00Too Little Too Late - Treasure Found!!<br />
<br />
Guess what?<br />
<br />
One of the treasures I mentioned in previous blogs has been essentially located...or, rather, there are some researchers/treasure hunters already ahead of me, hot on the trail of the cache.<br />
<br />
I mentioned this lead in my posting <a href="https://pickersjournal.blogspot.com/2018/01/guns-guns-guns-treasure-lead-13.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
I can give more details now that there is someone else on the case, and are advanced in their seeking what is literally a mass of over 200 antique weapons, including antique guns, knives, trade axes, etc.!!!<br />
<br />
This is a historic find, and literally is a part of Western Canadian History. Now, due to the location of this find, should I have gone after it and gotten there before the current researchers, I would have been only the finder, not the keeper of this historic weapons find.<br />
<br />
Instead of me simply regurgitating information, I suggest you read the article <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/poundmaker-search-river-artifacts-1.4902248?fbclid=IwAR0ZPqnjJFk_UzgbAuo_2b0_ERlcz_Vj7Ohu8Cj_ZR8hEfh33U2e-7O02ho" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
And that is what can happen when you do not follow up your leads in a timely fashion!<br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-70317077918713999512018-09-23T20:14:00.001-05:002018-11-28T15:23:39.184-06:00Treasure VS Treasure<br />
<br />
Treasures.<br />
<br />
We all seek them.<br />
<br />
As they say, treasure is in the eye of the beholder.<br />
<br />
If you don't see an item as treasure, it is not treasure....at least to you.<br />
<br />
So, what do you view as treasure?<br />
<br />
The Holy Grail?<br />
<br />
A childhood toy?<br />
<br />
Which would you recognize as treasure?<br />
<br />
Would you know the Grail if you did see it in a pile of junk?<br />
<br />
Considering no one really knows what the Grail looks like, probably not.<br />
<br />
But that<i> toy</i>, laying amongst trash, you would spot it right away.<br />
<br />
Maybe lying next to the Grail itself!<br />
<br />
The point I am making, if you haven't already figured it out, is that knowledge; the ability to recognize what is "treasure" makes all the difference in succeeding in finding treasure.<br />
<br />
Did you know that gold smugglers would melt gold and cast it into day to day utilitarian items?<br />
<br />
Horse bits were one of the choices smugglers supposedly used, for example.<br />
<br />
In one old treasure magazine I remember reading that a treasure hunter had found what he thought was a gray, painted, cast iron spittoon in an old gold rush town bar...a scratch revealed it was actually solid gold! A fortune in gold, sitting in plain sight for years!<br />
<br />
Anyway, knowing these bits of information and many more tid bits of information you will learn over the years could be your key to finding true treasure.<br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-77867597232577704512018-09-20T20:01:00.000-05:002018-09-20T20:01:12.827-05:00If a Picker Quit Pickin', What Would a Picker Do?<br />
<br />
What to do.<br />
<br />
That is a question that has been on my mind lately. <br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Well, if I couldn't be in this business for some reason or other, what would I do?<br />
<br />
How would I make a living?<br />
<br />
I would definitely scale down my expenses, which I strive to do as it is. I have higher expenses simply because I am limited as to my selection on places to live, because I need to set up my business somewhere appropriate, somewhere with lots of traffic.<br />
<br />
Setting up in some little town in the middle of no-where is not really conducive to long term success, in general.<br />
<br />
After the property I am on now is sold, my next location will be visible from #1 highway, pure and simple. The Trans Canada is "the" highway, especially when it comes to the prairie provinces. Traffic going anywhere is likely going to be travelling down the #1.<br />
<br />
Thousands of vehicles travel that route daily. It is the busiest thoroughfare in the prairie provinces.<br />
<br />
So, establishing a store on #1 is the goal.<br />
<br />
But, back to the question, if I couldn't be in this business, what would I do?<br />
<br />
I have things I'd <i>like</i> to do.....but what would I do, in the way of making a living?<br />
<br />
The scary thing is, I really don't know.<br />
<br />
Could I make a living doing the other things I'd like to do?<br />
<br />
Perhaps.<br />
<br />
I am a writer, so if I had a writing gig of some sort that would actually pay real money, then that is a possibility.<br />
<br />
I do have some ideas for screenplays, <i>IE</i>: cable-type shows.<br />
<br />
Anyone know of a producer looking for some truly fresh ideas?<br />
<br />
What is a picker to do?<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-85427953792124166332018-07-30T16:15:00.001-05:002018-07-30T16:30:58.514-05:00Picking Vehicles Over The Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">A picker's vehicle is one of the most important tools he/she has. These have been <i>my</i> "pickermobiles" over the years.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><u>Late 1980s - early 1990s</u></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>(1) late 70s/Early 1980s 4 door Chevette</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>&</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>(2) 1980s 4 Door Pontiac Acadian </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>(Essentially a Pontiac badged Chevette)</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I fit 5 to 6 eight foot banquet tables worth of inventory into this car, and even then the inventory was crammed on my show tables. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Even managed to haul a 12' long Texaco sign and a gas pump in these cars!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Acadian is shown wrecked after an accident. Walked away from it, luckily, with just bruises...some big bruises, but <i>just</i> bruises.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUo_1_Zh_0E/W0v6_ECj9XI/AAAAAAAABgE/Doq7mZx3y5AoHYxrZhYxDgK-XJOA_fvTACLcBGAs/s1600/100_3818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUo_1_Zh_0E/W0v6_ECj9XI/AAAAAAAABgE/Doq7mZx3y5AoHYxrZhYxDgK-XJOA_fvTACLcBGAs/s320/100_3818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_3wiYjiRDY/W0v5vGdnoAI/AAAAAAAABfk/QoxZar2G85EcCKsVIirMisJip6hJKBJawCLcBGAs/s1600/Acadian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="775" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_3wiYjiRDY/W0v5vGdnoAI/AAAAAAAABfk/QoxZar2G85EcCKsVIirMisJip6hJKBJawCLcBGAs/s320/Acadian.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i><u>1990s</u></i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Late 1980 Dodge Ram Half Ton</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With a cap on the back, this vehicle served me very well. Did lots of picking in this truck. Again, shown as it was, written off by MPIC, after a kid, driving his father's brand new truck, hit it on glare ice....marooning me & my girlfriend at the time in Shoal Lake for the better part of a week!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqhzkfYPIHY/W0v5vAjQ-4I/AAAAAAAABfo/XXVP7ihkrvUrVrYpO_BhzZzeqUQ8viXKwCLcBGAs/s1600/dodgetruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqhzkfYPIHY/W0v5vAjQ-4I/AAAAAAAABfo/XXVP7ihkrvUrVrYpO_BhzZzeqUQ8viXKwCLcBGAs/s320/dodgetruck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1980s Ford E150 Van</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first van I bought, and which hooked me on Ford full size vans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reliable, durable, but rust prone as they age..... But, "pretty" is not what a picker should be after when it comes to a vehicle!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4lx2rDvq8/W0v6_Ij5cHI/AAAAAAAABgA/tGxAnSvHBign7J2H3T851qoWTIp3qHwXQCLcBGAs/s1600/100_3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4lx2rDvq8/W0v6_Ij5cHI/AAAAAAAABgA/tGxAnSvHBign7J2H3T851qoWTIp3qHwXQCLcBGAs/s320/100_3817.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Had another full size passenger van that I used temporarily inbetween these two. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><u>2000s</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Another late 1980s E150</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Put the back mounts of the leaf springs through the rusted out floor by hauling too heavy of scrap metal loads...couldn't close the back doors by the time I took it off the road.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bS_Z7rftYdk/W0wEHr_S5tI/AAAAAAAABgU/LSETtiAQxi4PWxLBTI3m_QEO6SrFa-klgCLcBGAs/s1600/E1501992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bS_Z7rftYdk/W0wEHr_S5tI/AAAAAAAABgU/LSETtiAQxi4PWxLBTI3m_QEO6SrFa-klgCLcBGAs/s320/E1501992.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Early 1990s Ford E250</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A 3/4 ton van, this one cost me a fair bit in repairs, etc, but overall served me well.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITkZ60AkahQ/W0v5vTechsI/AAAAAAAABfw/Edaab0rDzeYf2uswSXhCaGCP50UurVO5ACLcBGAs/s1600/forde150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITkZ60AkahQ/W0v5vTechsI/AAAAAAAABfw/Edaab0rDzeYf2uswSXhCaGCP50UurVO5ACLcBGAs/s320/forde150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1990s GMC Sierra</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Used this as a temporary measure, but the 3/4 size box wasn't very utilitarian. The crew cab was ok for hauling stuff you didn't want to get dusty, but overall the truck was limited as far as using<i> </i>it for serious picking went.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zapfi6Fr6A0/W0v5vJq8LWI/AAAAAAAABfs/AzpGtCLMGpkU-5UWff_oM10ZSTEfJRXwQCLcBGAs/s1600/GMCsierra1998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zapfi6Fr6A0/W0v5vJq8LWI/AAAAAAAABfs/AzpGtCLMGpkU-5UWff_oM10ZSTEfJRXwQCLcBGAs/s320/GMCsierra1998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-size: large;">2017-2018</span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1998 Ford E350</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As of this posting, I am using a 1 ton Ford passenger van with the rear passenger seats, carpeted flooring, and assorted plastic interior trim removed. It was what I was able to find when I needed a van. The gutting took a bit of time, but it now serves its purpose. This one is a little more expensive when it comes to repairs, but it handles weight just fine. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Has the usual Ford body rust issues, but it</span><span style="font-size: large;"> will have to do for awhile. It isn't pretty, but it does the job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8N61tZoRewI/W19-m0VEmCI/AAAAAAAABgk/4bMdyL-P7P0Xpu3m43lsVHX-DPNTE3YAQCLcBGAs/s1600/100_3888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1600" height="144" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8N61tZoRewI/W19-m0VEmCI/AAAAAAAABgk/4bMdyL-P7P0Xpu3m43lsVHX-DPNTE3YAQCLcBGAs/s320/100_3888.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I should note, I owned all these vehicles outright. No leases, bank loans, etc. They also were my "daily drivers", not just my picking vehicles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, what is/was/were <i>your</i> pickermobile(s)?</span></div>
FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-66579498914904510452018-07-15T18:44:00.000-05:002018-07-15T18:56:49.235-05:00A Treasure - Currier and Ives Print<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once and awhile you pick an item that makes your heart skip a beat, a real treasure. This garage sale find was one of those.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What was the item? Only a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currier_and_Ives" target="_blank">Currier & Ives</a> hand tinted print, titled AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAIN.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've since sold the print, so I can only offer you a photo of a photograph I have, as seen below.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6l0tZcFHpo/W0vb5DZm3yI/AAAAAAAABek/EVsaRHZCC501pcc65V0oyImdTg6tk2LdACLcBGAs/s1600/100_3882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6l0tZcFHpo/W0vb5DZm3yI/AAAAAAAABek/EVsaRHZCC501pcc65V0oyImdTg6tk2LdACLcBGAs/s640/100_3882.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">It was impressive, being quite large, roughly 3' wide, and it had been matted and framed. The frame was a modern one, with holes drilled in the edges. That does raise a red flag, as it usually indicates it was screwed to the wall of a restaurant or hotel room, and that would scream that it was likely a reproduction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, this one had all the hallmarks of an <b>original!</b> Plus, add to the fact that many places were decorating with vintage items, and there were plenty of people who fancied themselves to be decorators at the time, who were basically pillaging some attics and using whatever they found as decor in some restaurants. I have spotted some formerly very good pieces in some of those restaurants....and I say "formerly" because some fool drilled holes through the items, impaled them on lag bolts, etc. It is sad to see what used to be a $500 item reduced to a $25 decor piece...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyways, the print in question was well done, and as far as any of the knowledgeable local dealers could tell, it was the "real deal." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I was getting enthused! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why? Well, I had been looking through a magazine, and there was an article on that very print....the last one of these that sold at auction not a year before I found mine, had sold in range of $50,000!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, the next thing I had to do was send it to an auction house, which I did. I seem to recall it was Sotheby's in New York, I believe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I sent it on its way, rolled in a tube, and awaited their assessment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was told it was a very high quality piece.....but they would not be interested in consigning it in their auction, as it was also a <i>reproduction</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They sent it back to me....with a bill for <i>professional art packing</i>, amounting to $250 US or so!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, my initial $15 purchase now totalled a cost of nearly $200. It was most certain professionally packed, flat, and well protected....but I would have been happier had they sent it back to me in a tube as I had sent it to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the plus side, they appraised it at $500.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the end, I did sell it on eBay, for $350, as a high quality reproduction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a learning experience, which luckily I basically broke even, between postage, eBay fees, time, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh well, can't win them all....but winning <i>one</i> once and awhile would be nice, wouldn't it?</span></div>
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FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-86021338633708152112018-07-01T12:29:00.002-05:002018-07-01T12:34:33.217-05:00Arsenic and Old Books<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We covered Arsenic and wallpaper already, but another source of Arsenic you may come across is in old books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Potentially, the green colouration of some of those early books could well be Arsenic based. Though, more than likely, it is present as "Paris Green", have being applied to prevent insect damage to said books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The article <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-we-discovered-three-poisonous-books-in-our-university-library-98358" target="_blank">here</a> will give you some more details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Containers of Paris Green itself tend to pop up in many places. I have seen more containers of it than I can count, from little tins to gallon pails of the stuff. Many people whose sheds, basements, barns, etc I have gone through realized this poison was present at all. "Paris Green" does sound innocuous enough....but the skull and crossbones printed on some of the cans should be warning enough, you'd think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, just another little tip to help you stay safe while picking!</span>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-21604824443103648372018-06-28T19:40:00.000-05:002018-07-01T12:30:06.507-05:00Treasures Found! - An Enlightening Experience<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the early 1990s, I was picking one summer afternoon, driving east of Winnipeg, and ended up in the northern Ontario town of Kenora.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I ended up walking into the local hardware store, which still retained it's beautiful, original oak, turn-of-the-century interior, in all its glory. My mind went to the treasures the building <i>MUST</i> hold...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, as it turned out, after a good hour of scoping things out, this was not going to be the superb pick I had in my mind when I first walked in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The aged owners, despite keeping the interior all original, had a prosperous & modern business where they kept a very up to date inventory. All new, fresh shiny inventory graved every inch and area of the place. Nothing of any real age was displayed, aside from a few store fixtures & store displays that were in use, and not a single one would they entertain selling. It was quite a contrast, the oak cabinetry that lined the walls, and the modern inventory that it showcased. But, it was an old school, working hardware store, and it still held that magic feeling of a place time forgot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They had made good use of the 3 story building. Even the full basement they turned into retail space for their wares. However, despite their efforts, it turned out the place still held a few vintage trinkets.....but <i>only</i> on the third floor, in a <i>tiny</i> former storage room, frequented by only by the most curious of customers who bothered to venture up the steep worn staircase. It wasn't be retained as storage.... no, the merchandise in there was on display for sale, also! They were certainly utilizing every inch of space in that store for inventory display! I did spot an attic door which I never did get to venture through, so who knows what it held...though, it may have been as empty and sparse as the little storage room I was in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the little former storage room I purchased some odd items....some NOS jockstraps from the 1970s, a bit of common depression glass, and I even pulled a couple old light bulbs from a crate on the bottom shelf. The crate was chock full of the thick-with-dust, obsolete, delicate glass & brass pieces, each carefully fitted in its own cardboard sleeve. To my surprise, each one I pulled out had a little slip of paper glued to it, with the name of the very hardware store I was standing in. Looking at the darkened brass end, it was apparent there was no way they could be used in today's Edison style sockets. The had a hole in the center, and it was apparent that they screwed <i>onto</i> a rod, and down into a smooth sided socket.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They would make a neat souvenir of that pick, I thought. A<i> quaint souvenir</i> only, because who in the their right mind would want old light bulbs?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, then time passed....a few <i>years</i> of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">eBay came into my life in the following years, and out of novelty, I decided to put one of my Victorian light bulb souvenirs up for auction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When it hit over $140, I realized I needed to make a trip back to that hardware store!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I went back, and it turned out the owners had been selling the bulbs as souvenirs of the store at their front counter!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Figuring they were asking much more for them now, and not remembering what the heck I had paid for my initial purchase of them, I casually asked how much they wanted for them...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The price was $2 each!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Keeping a stone face, but jumping inside, I went upstairs and went into the little room. I spotted the crate......Luckily for me, they obviously had been slow sellers, as there looked like there was nary a half dozen more missing from the crate since I had last seen it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I brought the entire crate down..and when they counted them up, they ended up giving me a bulk purchase discount!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Apparently, I was now in the antique light bulb business....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I sold a few more on eBay, with the price dropping a little each time... as the niche market for this particular light bulb was slowly being saturated by my warehouse find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite being still significant in number, I ended up getting about $65 a bulb from one buyer for the last of them. You see, it turned out his immaculately restored Victorian home used the very sockets these bulbs fit into!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, in the end, my $2-a-bulb purchase made me literally "thousands" of dollars!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, the next time you see some item that you think it neat, but worth little, think again....educate yourself, do some research! Really, on the long list of things you would assume to be treasure, the lowly light bulb is certainly something you would have envisioned to be on that list!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Consider yourself <i><b>enlightened</b></i>!</span><br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-53907598090412288782018-04-14T15:10:00.003-05:002018-04-14T15:10:49.028-05:00Treasure Leads You Can Find<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Been awhile since the last post, and being that I am in Facebook Jail (suspended until 5PM today from posting in any groups) for some unknown reason, I thought it would be a good time to blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyways, treasure leads are easy enough to find, if you know were to look, and how to go about finding them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For example, during the fur trade era, to my understanding, every capsized canoe belonging to the HBC of bales of furs and goods was recorded. (I am not sure about the canoes of other companies, nor independent traders.) Those bales of goods and furs are now sitting in the middle of various rivers. Due to the fast moving water in some of these rivers, the bales are sitting on rocks, as the rushing water tends to clear silt away, and the fur bales are packed thus that they remain intact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, theoretically, if you were to search the HBC archives, as well as archives for the North-West company, as well as do a ton of reading of various true fur trade tales, you may well be able to find the location of those lost bales. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some time ago there was a Manitoba University prof who that did just that. He ended up diving for one or some of these bales, and recovered at least one, if I am recalling correctly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Imagine finding a bale of trade goods, all of which are highly collectible and worth some good money! Even a bale of furs would be a real find, a solid piece of history you can touch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, what are you waiting for? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Get researching!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-36240737012269912582018-02-01T16:49:00.002-06:002018-02-01T16:50:33.079-06:00A Canadian Prairie Treasure Lead You Can Pursue!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Was doing some digging online and tripped across this interesting bit of information. If you find the treasure you owe me a case of good beer! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"<i>In the early 1880’s a stagecoach was robbed and the thief not</i></span><i><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, "lucida grande", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">caught until the following winter when the stagecoach driver spotted the</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, "lucida grande", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">man watering his horses through a hole chopped in the river ice just below</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, "lucida grande", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Prince Albert. He confessed that he followed the river trail east of Prince</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, "lucida grande", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Albert looking for a place to hide his loot and finally buried it under a</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, "lucida grande", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">boulder at The Forks. Not even he recovered the money because he had</span><br style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, "lucida grande", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">marked the boulder with charcoal and by the time he got out of jail it had all</span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>washed off in the rain.</i>" </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He marked the boulder with charcoal? Now that was not a very smart thief....!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Note that the stolen loot was supposedly never recovered. 'The forks' it refers to is where the north and south Saskatchewan meet.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Source:<br />The Voice of the People: reminisces of Prince Albert Settlement’s early citizens<br />(1866- 1895). Prince Albert Historical Society. 1985 p.63</i></span>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-26941276394813298972018-01-29T16:19:00.001-06:002018-01-29T16:19:11.751-06:00Banking on Treasure - Treasure Lead #12<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Got a little ahead of myself, with 13 coming before 12....but, here is treasure lead #12! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Imagine a little town, situated along a river.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A torrential flooding like no other in recent history wipes through the town sweeping buildings and contents in its wake, including the bank.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, the bank....and its contents, including two <i><b><u>full safes.</u></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Still lost to this day, likely on the bottom of the river, possibly buried in the banks, or possibly the surrounding field, if the river has moved position due to erosion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time to get out the backhoe!</span><br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-50513147470027487572018-01-29T16:14:00.003-06:002018-01-29T16:14:50.651-06:00Guns, Guns, Guns - Treasure Lead #13<br />
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Imagine a great battle.<br />
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One side wins this particular battle, and seizes all the weapons of the other side.<br />
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What to do with these excess weapons?<br />
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Dump them in a river.<br />
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And the general location of all these now very antique weapons is now known,<br />
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So, #13 might be lucky for me, we shall see.<br />
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<br />FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-86996767809056590162018-01-27T10:21:00.001-06:002018-07-01T12:33:42.734-05:00Poison Post<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In light of my previous blog on arsenic in wallpaper pigments, I thought I'd do a bit of a post on a few things I come across semi-regularly on picks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tins and boxes of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_green#Uses" target="_blank">Paris Green</a> - Arsenic</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tins and bottles of Embalming Fluid - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde" target="_blank">Formaldehyde</a> (Most often found in buildings formerly occupied or still occupied by funeral parlours, but watch out for the stuff in homes of former funeral parlour owners. The stuff can turn up in what seem to be the oddest of places. I picked a general store once whose second floor was the local funeral parlour.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tins of Smut Poison - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde" target="_blank">Formaldehyde</a> (farm sheds, barns, farmhouse basements)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane" target="_blank">DDT</a> and insect poisons containing DDT </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rat Poison - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thallium_poisoning" target="_blank">Thallium</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4-Hydroxycoumarins" target="_blank">Warfarin</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fire Extinguishers (especially the brass pump ones and glass teardrop shaped ones) - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_tetrachloride" target="_blank">Carbon Tetrachloride</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jugs and bottles of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_tetrachloride" target="_blank">Carbon Tetrachloride</a> (most commonly found in old drug stores, occasionally hardware stores and general stores)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Concentrated acids (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfuric_acid" target="_blank">sulphuric acid</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrochloric_acid" target="_blank">hydrochloric acid</a>, etc) - Drug Stores commonly had these in their inventory. This is not the watered down stuff you'd use in chemistry class, either. But, you could well find this sort of thing in old schools/educational institutions that had chemistry courses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos" target="_blank">Asbestos</a> - Watch for this pretty much everywhere. Cardboard impregnated with asbestos was used to wrap hot pipes, boilers, furnaces, and all sorts of other things that heated up. Was commonly used in those thin floor tiles you see in many old kitchens. You will find it in old toasters, waffle makers, irons and other appliances. My personal experience has taught me that there was literally tons of asbestos used on military bases, for everything from the floor tiles to entire wall panels to exterior cladding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paint - potential for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisoning" target="_blank">lead</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These make up only a small and very basic list of the things I encounter often. There is a ton of other thinners, paints, chemicals, and other hazardous materials I have come across while picking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Use your head, and be careful when rummaging around shelves & cabinets of containers. You never know what is in those two bottles you keep banging together, or that tin that just you put your finger through. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pick Safe!</span>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3253026272586371233.post-56161696451776057902018-01-26T15:28:00.001-06:002018-01-26T15:28:52.105-06:00Arsenic and Old Wallpaper - Walls of Death<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I know, the title sounds like it would be appropriate for a Halloween blog, doesn't it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I realize I do mention and even harp on <i><b>keeping safe</b></i> when picking far more than most picking related blogs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I do it because, frankly, it <i>can</i> be dangerous profession, and the better armed you are with the facts the better you can protect yourself from harm, and live to go picking another day. I have been lucky, and have learned the hard way to take certain precautions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of those precautions is wearing a respirator, not just one of those flimsy white dust masks. I will admit, I don't wear one of my respirators all the time when picking, but, frankly, I should.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I already have a type of asthma that is triggered by fine dusts, and fibreglass insulation in particular. That is a direct result of my chosen profession, not an inherited malady.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dusts, seen and unseen can be a problem. You already likely know to be careful of lead paint, but the source of what I am about to reveal may surprise you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Arsenic dust borne from wallpaper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you take a read of <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/shadows-from-the-walls-of-death-book" target="_blank">this article</a>, you will see this is not just a paranoid thought. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The fact is that "<i><b>near the end of the 19th century the American Medical Association estimated that as much as 65% of all wallpaper in the United States contained arsenic.</b></i>"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That leaves pretty high odds for that peeling wallpaper in that old Victorian farmhouse you are picking to be a very dangerous material....and the airborne particles you are breathing in won't be just from mouse/rat droppings, bird droppings, black mould spores and fine topsoil...you can add a lethal poison to the mix. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Go buy a respirator.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pick safe! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>FedoraAntiqueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18065098950052613327noreply@blogger.com0