A Flummoxing Antique/Curio

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 23:04

I have had a keepsake for over 30 years which was given to me by a colleague who was the Sheriff's Officer of Suffolk for 53 years and I suspect he owned it for far longer than I have enjoyed keeping it. It is a odometer type thingie which he used to calculate journey times/mileages from a road map having to undertake all day journies such as Bury St Edmunds to Ipswich, all of 30 miles, and perhaps 25 minutes nowadays ! It is beautifully engineered in stainless steel and silver. It has a round dial the size of a small fob watch and a wheel to guide along roads detailed on maps. The face of the instrument has a hand which indicates the mileage. I have been trying to establish for how many years he used it. All I ever found after hours on the net is a picture of one in an American Museum which appeared identical but no detail of maker or year. I would be grateful if anyone can give me a steer on how to date the item as subsquently all I can find are adverts for GPS fangalities.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 23:14

Does it have any markings on it like a Manufacturers name or a date?

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 23:15

If you send a photo by email, to any of the London auction houses they will give you a valuation and also with a bit of history....worth trying as we have done it a number of times over the years,.....just a thought....x

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 23:28

Thanks for the advice which I will heed. It does have some markings which appear to be a logo and some sort of hall mark but I would need a microscope to read it ......... my eyes are dim, I cannot see, etc Did you note that I made up the word fangalities as I believe Dutch is a cartographer and he has taken to being rude to me. Will he bite ! Naughty windup merchant aint I xx

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 23:30

Now now Deputy!

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 23:48

No 1. Fingers crossed for a yellow and not a red !

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/03/2011 23:50

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