Obsolescence Project

Day 356 – Projection Screen

Projection Screen

Vintage projection screen. There is no label on the outside, and I suspect there might be one, but I can’t confirm this as Mr. OP won’t let me open the box. This is because it reeks. Whatever type of chemical they used back in the 50s(?), coupled with its years remaining in a state of graceful closure, has combined to give it an odour most foul. Hence why there are no photos of the screen itself either. We did open it a few years ago and I can remember the smell – something like a bubbling vat of acid mixed with a cow’s afterbirth.

Projection Screen

Projection Screen

The box is about 4 1/2 feet long, 5″ x 5″ wide and high. I love the carrying case. I imagine a man wearing a suit and hat, carrying it on the street, walking jauntily if a little awkwardly, off to impress a new client. It could also pass for something more musical.

Projection Screen

Thought I’d throw this one in as well, although the first image is my preferred shot, because of the dust. One of my favourite things.

Status: Places many small bowls of water in a dark room, each containing several drops of peppermint. Have a few scented candles as well. Then dare to open the box. Screen an old home movie, or maybe the old slides. Makes sure the windows are open fully so it will have to be a warm day.

Kill-ratio: 18:3 / 6:1

(captioned images don’t count – see the rules – on the alt-title explanatory post).

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 356 For Screening New Ideas Past The Senses.

Posted on by Deanne in Objects, Photography, Technology

Day 355 – The Hachette Guide to French Wines

Hachette book

The Hachette Guide to French Wines. A complete and up-to-date critical guide to more than 5,000 different wines…. General Editor: André Vedel. Alfred A Knopf New York 1986. First American Edition. Translated from French.

On sparkling wines André Vedel, an eminent oenologist, charmingly quips:

“I call sparking wines ‘detergent’ wines, because they really prepare the mouth for what is to follow, cleaning and refreshing the palette.”

He sounds non-snobby. Almost coaxing me in to perusing the book for frothy finds.

Hachette book

Status: Randomly choose two regions from the book and study up. Store for later recall at a cocktail party, mixing up the facts, because of – you know – the bubbles.

Kill-ratio: 32:2/ 16:1

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 355 For Developing a Clean Palette.

Posted on by Deanne in Books

Day 354 – Demitasse Spoons

demitasse spoon

Sterling Silver Demitasse spoons.

I learned these were obsolete watching a television program “Market Warriors”. One of the dealers finds some spoons and declares that while very cute,  no one uses these anymore, so they’re not worth buying.

Part of me does yearn to live in Poirot’s world, taking the time for a delicate cup of coffee served in wee cups with little spoons. But clearly the tarnish on these beauties would indicate the effort is not being made to manifest such a reality.
Luckily they keep on producing such shows to have the experience vicariously.

WP informs me that demitasse spoons were (hopefully in the past tense) also used for medical purposes “”A demitasse spoon is useful instrument to retain and protect the peritoneum during suturing”.

demitasse spoon

Status: Calculate how much toothpaste would be needed to polish these up first. Then serve coffee at a Poirot fan party. Or perhaps serve enough wine so no one notices the tarnish.

Kill-ratio: 16:2 / 8:1

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 354 For Stirring Up A Languid Moment.

Posted on by Deanne in Dishes

Day 353 – Hits of the 60s

Hits of the 60s

Hits of the 60’s. Terry Baxter and his Orchestra. A Columbia Record Club exclusive.

This is one of the records that falls into the “origin unknown” category.  When I pulled it out, largely because of the box factor and the groovy cover art, I asked Mr. OP – ” so, another garage sale find?” and he responded, “Oh I thought that was yours”.  So who knows how this beauty made it into the pile. I’ve never played it, and it seems to be in “mint” condition (except for the box which has a bit of crumpling at the top.

Sample songs –
Record 1:

  • By The Time I Get to Phoenix
  • Young Girl
  • Those Were the Days*

Record 2:

  • Never My Love
  • Do You Know The Way To San Jose?
  • Up Up and Away

Record 3:

  • Release Me
  • Harper Valley P.T.A.
  • Green, Green Grass of Home

60s Album 60s Album

Hits of the 60s

Status:
Option a: Hawk on Craigslist
Option b: Use as background music for short film of riding the skytrain back and forth between two stops all day long.

Kill-ratio: 19:4/~5:1

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 353 For Riding Elevators.

p.s. I found one tune on youtube. I am sparing you the link. Schmaltzy!

Posted on by Deanne in Objects, Vinyl

Day 352 – The Signet Encyclopedia of Wine Paperback

Paperback encyclopedia

The Signet Encyclopedia of Wine. The Complete Guide to Brand Names,  Vineyards, Vintages, Varieties and Labels of over 20,000 Wines. E. Frank Henriques. Revised Edition. A Plume Book, New American Library. Copyright 1975, 1984.

Paperback

I was  most delighted to receive some French wine and champagne (the real stuff) from the gals in my book club last night, as a present for my recent nuptials. I did not expect any gifts (we eloped), and so it was super lovely. Not too surprisingly, neither the bottle of Chablis nor the Plan de Dieu red are featured in this book. Even though it’s completely revised and updated!  Mr. OP picked this up at a garage sale, and now that we’re hitched what’s his is mine:) I’ll have a gander and see if any recos leaps out that are still available ~25 years on. I wonder if an old review  for a 1982 wine would parallel a 2012 one?

One bottle we received (actually two, from book club and another from a dear friend) – Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Brut, is included in this book. Here is some of the blurb:

“Named for the stalwart and formidable Widow Clicquot – one of France’s greatest Champagnes. When François Cliquot died tragically in 1805 at the age of 30, his 27 year old widow took over the business and proceed to rule over the house of Ponsardin for 25 years, bringing it both fame and fortune. It was the Veuve (Widow) Clicquot who discovered the process of rémuage, that very important procedure in the life of a bottle of Champagne, whereby the sediment is removed, leaving a clear and limpid liquid”.

In 1984 a bottle of Brut (vintage 1976) was ~$26.

Paperback

Status: Find and then paint (or re-photograph) a portrait of the formidable Widow Clicquot. It says she could frighten little boys!

Kill-ratio: 20:3/ ~7:1

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 352 For Politely Pontificating on Past Glories Over a Glass of Pontet-Canet.

p.s. Thanks for all the sweet comments on yesterday’s post. Cheers!

p.p.s. In book club, we read “February” by Lisa Moore (Canadian author). It’s a great book, although due to wedding convo, we didn’t get much of a chance to chat about book.  She doesn’t seem to have a website (!) Here’s a link on quill and quire.

Posted on by Deanne in Books