Featured My encounter with a supermodel (story rated PG-13)

This AM got a call from a friend asking me to vet about a dozen cannons and cannon models for him. He’s a beginning collector. I looked then told him I wouldn’t want but two of them if they were offered to me, even for free. One was marked P.O.R. And when he got the low 5-figure price it was a nice cannon but only worth half that IMO. The other item was, I told him, worth two to three times the asking price IMO, and if he didn’t buy it, I would, despite shipping etc. from Europe. He said he’d buy it but since it wasn’t in his specific collecting category, he’d probably save it to give to me as a finder’s fee when I put him on to something he really wants. That’s cool. He volunteered to let me buy it but I like his idea better, since my focus has shifted a bit away from intensive cannon collecting I did for many years. The supermodel is original and complete, a real “arsenal” model of what must be a proposed design for an early 19th C. Siege gun. I almost never see complete cannon models like this, with absolutely complete carriages in good condition, except in museums. Only the implements (ramrod, sponge, etc) seem to be missing and they aren’t very important. The model is 30” long and is certainly to exact scale, probably 1/6 as is often the case. This is one of the most impressive and complete cannon models I’ve seen anywhere!

 

That is a sexy supermodel! I admire your taste in collecting. I wonder if the neighbors up the street from me who have late night parties on the weekend in the summer would get the idea if I had something like this in my parlor windows pointing their way?

 

The only thing that would make it "sexier" would be if it came from the Patent Office.

 

I like the price you're being offered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes direct cost is nil but to “earn” it I have to find him an 18th C. Or earlier elaborate Dutch bronze cannon barrel in very good condition, or a very fine Dutch cannon model. He’s already in touch with most of the world’s antiques dealers who have such things so I’ll have to find one in somebody’s attic! Anybody here have one in their attic?

 

And I have every faith that you WILL succeed, Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I have dust in my attic, and bats in my belfry.

 

Huzzah! Good find.

 

Well, finally, supermodel’s owner popped the question in a phone call today:”Are you still interested in that model we discussed and you analyzed for me?” “Well I thought you’d never ask; yes, how much?” So he quotes about what I knew he had in it “plus shipping” of course, and I asked him to send an invoice to do the deal. Been a good 70th B-day so far, found out I had a valuable anvil thanks to Steersman, and bought a cannon model I’ve been drooling over for months.

 

Very Happy B-day, Spring!

 

I had no idea he was so ancient. He was 48 in his most recent videos.

 

Hi Spring,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I am tired of being the old man around here aren't there any 82 year old guys around?. I miss Mansons since I think he was older than me.
greg

 

Happy Birthday Spring!

 

Happy birthday Spring! May someone haul off all your pallets and leave antique tools in exchange.

 

Happy Birthday Spring !!

Nice gifts !!!
We'll need a photo of you polishing that cannon....!

Nice new avatar too !!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! SPRING HERE’S LOOKIN’ ATCHA’ !!!!!!

 

Congrats on your birthday, and on the acquisition. That is a handsome piece.

♪ Simply irresistible ♫

 

Happy birthday. Hubby was 72 on Friday so you're a spring chicken.

 

Spring was born after my mom graduated high school.(LOL) She's in the kitchen making the salad. Feel younger yet?