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Thursday, January 22, 2009

So, how do you land the B-24 with the landing gear damaged?




I can't get enough of old paper. These manuals for the "B-24" series bombers and the Curtis electric propeller are a good example. I found these in Bridgewater, and in the back of one are notes one of the flight crew made (mainly what to pack for a mission). I would have just as much liked to have spoken with the owner of these to get a little provenance. You'll need to click on the image for the larger image.

Monday, January 19, 2009

A Toast to all who skip the mall, visit the Flea, and buy what they see.


I think the idea of tag sale'ing is closely related to the origins of man. It really is a continuation of the hunter gatherer instinct. Sale'ing is not a year 'round thing, it has its seasons. Spring brings a cleaning and clearing sort of sale, Summer brings everybody with everything kind of sale, Fall seems to cause people to reflect and so you get more attic clearing sales. Winter is hibernation and holiday time, the sales here are few and far between. During the winter months I like to pour over my top finds and research the unanswered questions each presents. The booklet "200 Toasts from Broadway" was a "fix" I needed this past weekend. I found it at a Ridgefield estate sale and it worked for me only because of its contents and age (1907). The copyright is by Mixer Doty and lists New York and Buffalo as origins. Truly a bar side companion, but I can find nothing more from my research. Any ideas?

My favorite toast from within:
Here's to turkey when you're hungry,
Champagne when you're dry;
A pretty girl when you need her,
And Heaven when you die.

Foot Candle

Found this years ago at a great dig of a sale in Buffalo. I couldn't pass it up as it was a great site gag. When did GE come out with the good old F40 bulb and where would dad's workbench be with out it?


This is a 3 inch foot.



Focus is a little soft here, but still readable.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

What is an "Urban Archeologist"?

I am updating this post because I have changed how I want this site to be perceived - or hind sight is 20/20.

Urban Archeology is a name that came to mind organically - there are other UA's out there today (updated 8/12/16) some are businesses, some are pickers. I don't think there is anyone capturing the meaning of the term in the way I conceived it 15 years ago.

I have always been curious about the world around me - how it works - why it exists - and the things that pass before my eyes compel me to look a little more deeply. Such was the case when I would walk (yes, walk) to school in 5th grade. If there was a junk pile (not garbage!) I could not keep from looking to see what had been cast off. To me there was always something good worth saving, admiring, re-useing, adopting and adapting.

I have often said that once you find one gem, you are hooked.

Well, this blog, now over 650 posts strong is testimony to that I am hooked. But more than just the items I have found is the value in where it has take me and who I have met along the way. What you may read here are samples of my life experiences represented by the things I have found.

So, please read, comment and reach out if you feel so inclined. I will be digging picking and networking to uncover a new story to post.

Greg.