What is the oldest thing you own?

**grumpyoldlady** · May-05-09, 07:16 PM

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** · May-05-09, 08:10 PM

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** · May-05-09, 08:11 PM

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** · May-05-09, 09:09 PM

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.
Attachment 1025

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

LodgeDodger · May-06-09, 10:45 AM

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

She really was lovely.

**Ray1936** · May-06-09, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by LodgeDodger

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.

**Mikeg** · May-05-09, 09:39 PM

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, 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.

**Det_ard** · May-05-09, 10:01 PM

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

I win.

**Maof** · May-06-09, 06:43 AM

^^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** · May-06-09, 07:55 AM

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.

**CountrySquire** · May-06-09, 02:54 PM

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

**Olddetroiter** · May-06-09, 05:41 PM

My wife... 1946

**Alfie1a** · May-06-09, 05:44 PM

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.

**gumby** · May-09-09, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Det_ard

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** · May-10-09, 12:24 AM

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

**Flanders** · May-05-09, 09:09 PM

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** · May-05-09, 09:33 PM

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.

**9936Sussex** · May-07-09, 02:48 PM

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** · May-07-09, 03:26 PM

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

**gibran** · May-07-09, 03:30 PM

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** · May-07-09, 04:15 PM

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.