What is the oldest thing you own?

[grumpyoldlady]

Besides old coins, what is the oldest thing you own?

Off the top of my head I'd say my "oldest thing" is an 1800's (i think), super heavy strongbox that I believe was used on stagecoaches to carry gold dust or other valuable stuff.

If anyone knows of a collector who might like to buy it, please let me know. It isn't very large...about 12x8x8", but it weighs a lot. I purchased it a number of years ago at an estate auction of a person who collected Western memorabilia.

[phactreerat]

I have a pair of silver souvineer spoons with the image of the soldiers memorial, from campus martis. My guess is that there from around the 1870's

[gazhekwe]

I love old things, there is such a fascinating variety. The oldest piece we have is a blue pressed glass celery glass that belonged to my great great grandmother, probably in the 1850s or 1860s.

[Ray1936]

The original tintype of my great grandmother, Hannah Nichols Redfield, taken following her wedding day on October 13, 1859. Taken in Twinsburg, Ohio. Right after their wedding the left for Kansas, where they spent the remainder of their lives. She died in 1907.
1025


I have copies of older photos, but this one is the original.

[Flanders]

The oldest thing that I own that was purchased new is a Panasonic quadrophonic stereo radio/.tuner with earnings from my first FT job out of HS in 1974. Still in excellent condition, works perfectly, however the four speakers and combo 8 track/turntable unit that it came with are long gone.

The oldest thing that I own that I did not purchase new is a round oak table, circa late 1800s.

[Crystal]

I own a woodcut by Aegidius Sadeler (1570-1629) and an apothecary scale from the early 1800's.

My sister owns a real treasure, a telescope made by Jesse Ramsden (1731-1800). Our Dad bought the telescope in an antique shop in Detroit in the 1950's.

[Mikeg]

I have a "St. Clement Aid Society" ribbon that my great-great grandfather wore to church about 140 years ago. He and many of the founding families of St. Clement Parish in Center Line were German immigrants and that is why the printing on the ribbon is in German. The ribbon is reversible with the same inscription in gold on the reverse side (http://centerline.grobbel.org/sc/ribbon_red_1869.jpg), which has a field of red. Next to the ribbon in the image below is a 129 year old pane of stained glass from the St. Clement Church which was built in 1880 and demolished in 1967. The wreckers weren't very careful when they tried to remove the complete stained windows and this pane came from one of the windows which was damaged.

http://centerline.grobbel.org/sc/ribbon_and_stained_glass_resized.jpg

[Det_ard]

I've got some rocks that are about 3,500,000,000 years old.


I win.

[Maof]

^^ha ha^^

I also have stained glass from Our Lady of Help church (1867-1968), I think was either on McDougal or Fort Street. Parents were married there in 1949.

[rajdet]

I had to think about this one. My house was built in 1915, I collect mission rockers, but the oldest thing is probably a fossilized sharks tooth I ware on a chain around my neck.

[WKL]

I have my great-grandfathers sheriff badge. He was sheriff of Shelby County, OH back in the later 1800s.

[LodgeDodger]

Wow, she bears a strong resemblance to the woman in "Gone With The Wind". Dress, too.

She really was lovely.

[Ray1936]

Wow, she bears a strong resemblance to the woman in "Gone With The Wind". Dress, too.

She really was lovely.

Thanks, Dodger. I've had that thought comparing to GWTW myself. I have gt grandpa's similar photo taken at the same time, but it's just a copy, not the original tintype. The original has been lost to the march of time somewhere.

[CountrySquire]

I've got a flashlight collection that goes back to about 1915.

[Olddetroiter]

My wife... 1946 :rolleyes:

[Alfie1a]

A first edition of "Love of Life & Other Stories" by Jack London. 1907

I think that's the only thing I own that's older than I am.

[6nois]

A knewl post from a house in Saginaw dating to 1886. It is mahogany.

[jiminnm]

I was going to say my birth certificate, but then I remembered that i have my grandfather's from 1897. I also have several ammonites that I think are from the Devonian Period (which would make them about 350 million years old).

[East Detroit]

A gun from a member of the Purple Gang.

[ccbatson]

Comic book(s), circa 1939.

[Django]

Very nice E.D. Nice detroit collectors item.

Grumpys on a roll with starting great threads.

My familys from Mississippi from way back. They had a pair of brass candlesticks during the civil war that they knew would be stolen from the Yanks when they invaded so they buried them and other valuables out on the farm land. After the war was over they dug them up. One of the candlesticks was broken but had it repaired. I own them.

[ccbatson]

Oops, I forgot about a floor lamp from my grandmother from 1930.

[Det_ard]

I've got a house full of knob and tube wiring, 8" x 10" main beams and probably 20 coats of paint in places.

[oladub]

A pair of shoes carved for a wedding present for my grandfather from his father in about 1917. They were used for many years gardening on Beniteau across from Foch Jr. High in Detroit.

1055

[grumpyoldlady]

Thanks Django! Sometimes my old brain comes up with something worthwhile. I appreciate the compliment...coming from you it means a lot to me.

[Maof]

A pair of shoes carved for a wedding present for my grandfather from his father in about 1917. They were used for many years gardening on Beniteau across from Foch Jr. High in Detroit.

1055

way cool oladub.

[eriedearie]

You guys have some fantastic items!

I've got a million's of years old huge chunk of bituminous coal from the coalmine in behind the house where both me and my mother were born; which was the same mine my Papaw worked in.

Plus, I have the safety hat (1920s) with the carbide headlamp he wore on the job. He always referred to it as his lucky hat - he survived 2 mine cave-ins while wearing that hat. I've also got the coal bucket he used to gather coal for the heating/cooking stoves in their house.

My stuff has to have a theme! :D

[Ray1936]

Great thread, everyone! Keep 'em coming! Even you rock hounds, as long as you can give a reasonably accurate age!

[9936Sussex]

I have a pair of brass candlesticks and a brass tea kettle that my grandma brought over from Scotland when she and my grandpa immigrated in 1907. I also have a family Bible (my mom's side). It was give to me by a relative in England when I was visiting. It dates back to the 1840's. None of the relatives there wanted it, so she asked me if I would like to have it. I ws thrilled....even though it was enormous and I had to carry it with my on the rest of the trip!

[rb336]

A signet ring dating to the late14th century. never see it, never touch it. it sits in a safe deposit box.

[gibran]

as far as purchases: old english school desk from 18th century

my coolest is my great grand parents marriage certificate from 1875 and my Grandfathers hand craved wooden thrasher circa 1920

[GOAT]

Newspaper from 1813 reporting the battle of Queenston Heights and the death of General Brock. But I also have a period French Grandfather clock from about the turn of the 19th century.

[Bigb23]

I've got a half done midwest area flint spearhead that a collector gave me. I wonder why the maker stopped ?

[ccbatson]

Tax hikes on the upstart spearhead making industry?

[LeannaM]

I'm 19. The oldest thing I own is a 14-year-old teddy bear.

[LodgeDodger]

Lemme see...antique Baker sideboard, jeweler's loupe (my Father's), my Grandfather's bocce set, and a typewriter. There's other stuff, but this is what comes to mind.

[barnesfoto]

Voightlander Sohn Camera lens, manufactured in 1854 (so it could have been used for the portrait of Ray's Great-Grandmother).
The best part is that I use it weekly.

[Ray1936]

Voightlander Sohn Camera lens, manufactured in 1854 (so it could have been used for the portrait of Ray's Great-Grandmother).
The best part is that I use it weekly.

They just don't make them like they used to, Barnes.....:D:D

[n7hn]

I have a set of diaries and record books from John Travis (from the family that founded Travis city) from the mid 1800's, maybe earlier , I dont read it often. It was leant to the travis city historical society and transcribed for their records to help put together what life was like back then (prices,weather,routines,illness outbreaks) (i found this in the trash in the early 70's at the "country house" apts on seven mile and telegraph)

I also have a certificate from "the society for the propagation of faith" from 1889

My favorite is a group photo from a church group in detroit in 1921. It shows the congragation (all white) posed for their pic out front of the church and one very young black child up front , seated and holding some banner. Its a very odd and interesting pic. Ive never been able to figure out the church .

[Lorax]

I have a super, giant cabinet photo of the 1889 Phillips Andover football team, it's an original- with the only other one known to exist is in the collection of the Andover Library. Several of the kids (probably between the ages of 16-18) include:

Vance McCormick, former governor of Pennsylvania, and liason to the Versailles conference in 1919, and a friend of Woodrow Wilson,

Frank Hinkey, one of the first to ever play professional football, and considered one of the fastest and most nimble players of all time,

Cornelius Bliss, who, with his sister and the Rockefellers founded the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

And Thomas Cochran, a founding partner of JP Morgan, who, unlike robber barons of today, donated his entire fortune to both Phillips Andover's current university buildings (nearly all of them, including the museum and it's art collection) and many charity hospitals in and around New York and New Jersey.

I will try to attach a photo of this great sepia toned photo, so bear with me!

[Ray1936]

That's a real prize, Lorax. Further, they look like they could easily whip the Lions.......... :eek: :D

[Lorax]

They would not only whip the Lions, but do it without helmets, or rules for that matter!

[reddog289]

This has got me thinking, The oldest thing I should have lying around is my "Civil War bayonet". That I have not seen in 15 years. Which would toss up My Great Grandfathers accordian type cameras, or the 1917 editions of the Hawkins Electrical Guide that I bought at a used book sale. But of all the old stuff I got my favorite thing is my FORD monkey wrench, Its old but it works.

[CountrySquire]

Here's a few of my flashlights. I am always looking for more if anyone has any for sale. I like the bigger ones, 5 D cell size and up.

[gumby]

I've got some rocks that are about 3,500,000,000 years old.


I win.

I own a 50' x 100' piece of the Earth which is 4.55 billion years old, so I believe all of us homeowners win. lol.

In all seriousness though, I have my Great-grandfathers Bible that his father gave to him on Aug 19th 1904.

[faygoredpop]

The oldest thing I have is a picture of my great grandparents wedding picture from 1915.

[Linda from Detroit]

The oldest item we have is a porcelin clock from 1786. Next oldest is my great grandfathers Farmers Almanac from 1888.

[reddog289]

CountrySquire, You just reminded me of more things I cant find. My old flashlights.

[Whaler]

My Grandfather Was a Doctor Cleveland Oh 1930-50ish He Passed down a photo of the Mayo Bros Autographed wishing him luck..

[jams]

My oak kitchen table was made sometime between 1860 and 1880,

[ccbatson]

Whoa...this is a table that is used regularly? If valuable, I would check into it before continuing to put it through that kind of use.

[Lorax]

CCBatty's oldest thing he owns are his political ideals.

Not only are they antiques, but really worthless ones at that.

Find a landfill.

[jams]

Whoa...this is a table that is used regularly? If valuable, I would check into it before continuing to put it through that kind of use.
Thanks for the concern, Cc, but there is a device used between the plates and glasses and the surface of the table to protect it. It's called a placemat.

[Mikeg]

CCBatty's oldest thing he owns are his political ideals.

Not only are they antiques, but really worthless ones at that.

Find a landfill.

If you want to change the subject of this thread, start your own thread!

This stuff is so juvenile - it eventually infiltrates every non-political thread on the Non-Detroit Issues Forum and it is so damn tiresome.