Friday 20 May 2011

If Only They Could Talk.

Nothing very intellectual this week. Stand up the man who said 'How do you mean this week!' I sat wondering what to write about, I never find it easy. People who find something to say every day amaze me. But good luck to them although its not for me. But I digress. I looked round my room where I work for inspiration. And there it was. My latest addition to my collection/museum. One knife cleaner, circa 1880 I reckon, bought from a car-boot in Castleton a week or two ago. The sort of thing that would be used by servants in the 'big houses' many years ago. And I got to thinking, what a story it could tell if it could talk. Where did it come from. Where's it been for the last few years. Who used it over the years. What's happened to the people who used it. It's got a Manchester inscription on it but that doesn't mean it's always been in the area. (Although Castleton isn't that far from Manchester.) So many questions, so few answers. Any suggestions.
Also near my computer, another of my treasures. (Nothing ever gets put away, but it brightens up my little unimportant life !) A butter churn, marked with the name 'Blow'. Funnily enough e-bay is full of them! I reckon its around a hundred years old but I might be wrong, I'm just a daft old collecter, not an expert! Again where's it been, who used it; I'm sure it could tell a tale. I keep meaning to give it a try, it might amuse the grandchildren. Anybody any experience out there on what to do. I've only got a rough idea. Grumpys blast from the past. Next week, two old toys that might amuse!

10 comments:

the fly in the web said...

I had one of those butter churns...it would have made my grandmother roar with laughter..but I had great fun with it then handed it on to a cousin's child.

Wish I hadn't as here I have, once, again, access to fresh pure milk and would love to make butter from scratch.
I'll give the pattern to the chap who works the farm...I bet he comes up with something!

Star said...

Anyone going to Manchester? Don't miss the guided tour of the real working cotton thread and textile machinery at their science and technology museum. Have I babbled about this, before? I love history stuff, and this is one of the best things I've *ever* experienced. What heroes those poor workers, young and old, were. A fascinating thread in history's cloth, if you'll forgive the unresistable, but dull and expected metaphor. Thanks for your marvelous posts.

Rock Chef said...

We were recently looking at a pair of army binoculars that my father in law brought back from Germany in the 1950s. Made around 1905. The things that they must have seen!

Sueann said...

Love your treasures and stories they do tell. I can just see the servant with a crisp white apron getting out the owners' silver and dutifully polishing each piece with care. Love it!!
And the butter churn...yum!! I would definitely be giving that one a try!!
Hugging you sweetie
SueAnn

Lady Mondegreen's Secret Garden said...

Come on Ken. With your knack for telling a story you could devise past lives for your artefacts...
I think that often the bit between obsolescence and recognition as an antique/vintage/retro curiosity, shows as much inventiveness as the original idea did - could a butter churn have been used for mixing paint for instance?

Eleven's Ink said...

Ouuh i was lucky enough to use a butter churn(er?) in 3rd year of elementary school and it was so fun to make my own butter!! Tasted a whole lot fresher!!

elevensink.blogspot.com

Mattlincs said...

A fascinating article. Was it Call My Bluff where they'd pull out some weird looking object and they'd guess what it was used for?
Oh, btw - coach driving - in answer to your question.

Prettypics123 said...

I am fascinated by the experiences of things that cannot talk. It would be fascinating to hear you speak for them!

The bike shed said...

I like those Ken. Old kitchen and farm objects are cheap, interesting and decorative. Just did a post on pots and similar objects of desire.

Rommel Fernandes said...

My grandma would have become nostalgic.
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