Gifts and Collectibles #6of8

On our way to the Matterhorn, we drove from Switzerland, across Italy and, arrived in Domodossola at nap time. We saw a store with a lot of beautiful brass items on display, and a Master Charge sign on the door. After collecting a great pile of these items, we found they had no idea what the Master Charge sign in the window meant.

They went to the bank to see if the Master Card could be used, then were informed that the sign remained on the door from the previous owner of a store in this very same place. These new store owners had no idea what it meant, or why we cared.

We put back most of our selection, and bought what we could with the rest of our Italian money and a couple of travelers’ checks. There are two very heavy, thick brass trays about 9 by 15 inches, and a little brass pitcher with a big handle.

Exactly where we found it is not noted in the Journal, but somewhere in France, Emmy bought a 10 inch high, 5 inches across, half round, with handle, and a hole to hang on a wall, light blue porcelain “something.” Emmy was going to put flowers in it, but when we got home, she noticed a little spout at the bottom, and inside are markers for each half/liter up to 2 litters. Best we can figure, it is hung on the wall and is used to supply water for a douche, or some such thing. For some reason, Emmy choose not to use it after all. The 2” round paper label says, “Fabrication Française, L & Cie.” In the middle is a picture of an eagle and the words, “L’aigle, Marque Déposée.” That means something like, “Eagle, Trade Mark.”

As we left Stockholm, Sweden, and drove toward Goteborg, we saw a sign saying Loppmarknaden (flea market), so we stopped and bought several small fleas that cost a total of $10. Among the items are a 7 inch high, 4 inch diameter copper coffee pot, and a matching 3 1/2 inch high, 2 1/2 inch across creamer, and a 3 by 3 1/2 inch sugar bowl. On the bottom of each item the letters GB, with the letter N below, inside a fancy diamond shape symbol. On the bottom of the coffee pot it says it holds about half a liter. Each item has brass handles and brass spouts. The business card says, “Alfa Antik, Olofsg. 12 vid Hötorget, and the phone number is 08-11 22 08, 08-56 39 91.”

During our second visit to France, we stopped at a roadside antique store outside Montrejean, that had many brass and copper items. Emmy bought a small bowl made of bronze strips, that the woman said was unique. We found that price was unique, since we have seen bowls with the exact design, made of thinner, cheaper material, in several other places, but at a much lower price. What was unique except the buyer’s gullibility?