Obsolescence Project

Day 63 – Photo of Captain on Ship

Photo of Captain on Ship

Captain of the 29th Battalion on Board Ship. Purchased at an antiques flea market.
Because I bought this in Vancouver, I’m assuming this the ship is Canadian. Here’s the Wikipedia entry for the 29th batallion. also known as Tobin’s Tigers.

Back of Photo Inscribed

The inscription on the back is precious. Notice (she?) says old George is as fat as ever. Standards of fatness were different in 1915.

I purchased these with several other paper ephemera that day. I almost felt conned, or suckered in, and they have all sat neglected in an envelope these last two years. Taking this photo out in particular feels like the purchase was well worth the nominal investment.

Photo of Captain Detail

Status: Decipher last name of fat George and see if I can find any history of him. And if it does say “Dad” beside the word “Capt.” find out  who Dad was.

Posted on by Deanne in Paper, Photography

Day 62 – Book “The Complete Poems and Plays” by T.S. Eliot

T. S. Eliot Book

The Complete Poems and Plays 1909 -1950, T.S. Eliot. Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York.
Copyright,  1930, 1939, 1943, 1950, 1958 by T.S. Eliot
Copyright, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1952, by Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc.

The value of books is all about editions, condition and dust jackets. This one strikes out on all three. The dust jacket, well, you can see. Although in its favour, it does exist. There are 4 previous editions of this book by the same publishing company. And the condition, although not terrible, there are scuff marks here and there.

The paper, however, is deluxe, creamy and thick. We have two copies of this book, the other an even later edition and in much better shape. It enjoys space on the living room bookshelf. This one has been on its way out the door for a while now.

However, once I opened the book to photograph it, the paper really spoke to me.

T. S. Eliot Book

Therefore,

Status: Keep on bookshelf in studio/office.
(That also doubles the chances of re-reading some of these poems)

“Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is  time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse”>

(page 5, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock)

p.s. I’ve started a new category – “Books” as once these objects get tallied,  The Obsolescence Project can safely continue on for at least 30 more days.

Posted on by Deanne in Books

Day 61 – Brass Incense Burner / Bull

Bull for Incense

Bull Shaped Brass Incense Burner / Holder With 6 Holes in His Head.

My parents did use this. I have used him a few times.  But 99% of the time he simply sits on a shelf and looks cute. Once I went to photograph him, I really looked at the design on him. It’s not just abstract patterns as I always thought – but people,  birds, flowers, and an Egyptian looking figure – half bird/half man.

I would like to know the country of origin. Apparently the origin of incense itself is uncertain, but amongst other uses, it was used to drive away demons. This little guy seems too fey for such a feat, on the other hand, the designs may be fierce. He’s also heavy.

Incense Holder Bull

Incense Bull from Top

Status: Keep. Put back on shelf in more prominent position.

Posted on by Deanne in Objects

Day 60 – Napkin Holder

Napkin Holder

Painted Metal Napkin Holder. Garage Sale.

In trying to establish what era this is from, I found a nearly identical one on Etsy selling for 12$ plus $8.25 shipping. Also found references to the term filigree. Not sure if this qualifies as that or not. It has a design that could be from many sources, looks almost Arabic. It’s probably from the 1950s-60s. Apparently paper napkins were introduced by someone named John Dickenson in 1887 at his company picnic. They didn’t come into popular use until the 1950s. I wonder if he had any idea of the profligate waste to follow his convivial gesture?

Love the design of this object. Sturdy and whimsical, representing levity and gravity simultaneously. It’s use in our household has been mainly for pads of paper. We use cloth napkins, naturally.

Napkin Holder

Status: Sings for a Mad Men Marathon watching party no?

n.b. Today is a bit of a celebration over here at Project Obso. It’s Day 60! That’s exactly twice the amount of days as the original goal. Wonder if I can make it to 90? If I break out the books, most definitely.

Posted on by Deanne in Objects

Day 58 – Turkish Doll (His Mate)

Turkish Doll Front

Turkish Doll in Traditional Costume.  Mate to the Soldier.

Unlike her companion, she still has her turquoise stand, although it’s no longer attached to her shoes. Thus it has to be held together with a rubber band whose colour at least somewhat matches her pink pantaloons. There is a book called Pantaloons & Power: A 19th Century Dress Reform in the United States, which alludes to a connection between pantaloons and the women’s right movement. Perhaps I will add this to my reading list.
Turkish Doll From Back

Turkish Doll Face

Her lips are rather fetchingly painted. Noticing a certain je ne sais quoi care given to these hand-painted dolls where the lips are concerned.

Turkish Doll Shoe Imprint

My favourite bit, the imprint of her shoes. Feels like she’s been standing their for centuries, doesn’t it?

Status: Hold a wedding ceremony for her and Mr. Fez and document on video.

Posted on by Deanne in Dolls