Monday, December 29, 2008

U.S. Coins

Lately I have been in need of a new hobby, something that could be fun, yet potentially profitable at the same time.

U.S. Coins is just the niche to get into! With coins dating back to the nation's first established currency to confederate coins, U.S. coins play an important part in its history. The coins each tell a piece of the story that U.S. has been crafted for centuries now, and it continues to do so, primarily to promote the economy (this has been noted and evident with the U.S. state quarters, as well as the newly created Obama coins.) Despite the intention of the U.S. coins, there is no doubt that collecting some U.S. coins can not only become enjoyable, but a wise investment decision too.

Among the hundreds of U.S. minted coins, here is a rather brief list of the most sought after U.S. coins:
1943 Copper Penny
1776 Silver Continental Dollar

Almost anything from 1870

1804 Draped Bust Dollar

1861 Confederate States Half-Dollar

The Brasher Doubloon
1974 Aluminum Penny

And, with great debate, the rarest (and thus, most valuable) U.S. coin:

1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

This coin was once sold for $7.5 million U.S. dollars! During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt recalled The Double Eagle, as with all gold coins, back to the U.S. government/treasury, as gold was dismissed as the currency standard. However, a combination of smuggling and some simply never making it back, they became a hidden treasure. These are hot items, and something that the U.S. government is still looking for! (The Secret Service confiscated one during 1992.)

So, whether you are a veteran or amateur, U.S. coin collecting is definitely a hobby to enjoy, for it can truly become a lifetime adventure. If you want to get started, or look to create new additions to your already established collection, check out http://www.iantiqueonline.com, for it is a place that I check out regularly for news and possible purchases for U.S. coins, along with all things antique! Be sure to check it out, and good luck with your coin collecting journey!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Musical Instruments

This post is going to dig into the wonderful world of music, specifically musical instruments.
As I am sure many of us have played some horn or drum within our life... this should begin reminiscence of childhood ensembles, maybe embarrassing or not. :) And while we live in a world full of precious antiques of all shapes, sizes, and purposes, nothing says history better than musical instruments. Music is one thing within our lives that has been carried through generation to generation, bringing a piece of culture, history, and stories from the distant past to present.

Even more, discovering antique musical instruments can be both easy and challenging. I personally collect century old brass horns, but my dream is to get a hold of some truly antique saxophones (... I am a veteran sax player, alto and bari to be exact). What makes antiques so treasured within musical instruments is not the possible monetary value of the particular item(s), but the story that goes behind it. Musical instruments have been, and still are (relatively), the only product crafted by hands, and not on an assembly line method. Because of that fact, many people can tell stories fascinating to anyone... from how it was made to who played it to the journey it made around the world.

Now as WDIG prides itself on finding particularly rare items, here is a list of some of the rarest musical items (photos of these items are in search as we speak):
- Stradivarius Violin (Approx. 1700s)
- Flageolet Collection (Approx. 1800s)
- Dital Harp Lute. Levien. Paris. (Date unknown) *Goes for about $3,000 (USD)- Cittern String Waldzither (Similar to 18th century English guitar, 5 course. 18.5" scale length, 13" widest point, 26.5" overall length )

...there is an endless list of instruments that antiquates are striving to collect, but some specify their collection by country, year/time period, specific instrument/type, etc.
To find some more information on antique musical instruments, check out http://www.iantiqueonline.com. They are an awesome site, and WDIG gives a BIG THUMBS UP!! :)

Music instruments will always play a part in our lives, and taking some time to find out about antique music instruments will definitely keep you entertained.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Where are all the Typewriters Repairmen

As a 2nd part to the WDIG Typewriter installment, it came to mind that as typewriters have become obsolete, so has the need of repairmen. Therefore, the question at hand is 'where have all the typewriter repairmen gone?'

Some theories:

1.) The repairmen have adapted in the technological world, moving to computers or other machine repairs.

2.) They have become historians. :)

Either way, I am in search for typewriter repairmen, and hopefully I can bring some betteranswers as to the story of the typewriter repairman, and where are they now.

BTW, I have found this typewriter art blog, http://www.crookedbrains.net/2007/08/typewriter-art-can-you-believe-that.html

It is indeed unbelievable work, and check out Paul Smith's work.

Until next time,
Jeff, WDIG

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Where Did All the Typewriters Go?

Ahh, the typewriter. Nothing says retro technology like typewriters.



Whether it was the 1920's UNderwood or IBM Wheelwriter 2000, all of the typewriters have seem to fallen off the planet. NOW, maybe you are the one out of a million who still types away on these beautiful machines... however majority of us have moved on, using the typewriter's younger, much more popular brother, the desktop publisher.



A good point to make before I do any further is to ensure that I will make my best attempt to not bash the typewriter, but in the end of it all... the desktop is so much more efficient than the typewriter (which blame can be pointed towards the endless frustrations of jammed keys and numerous White Out jobs). Nonetheless, I have found myself at times finding an old typewriter and using it to add some nostalgic feeling to my creative writings.



So the first question that needs answered is: 'Where exactly did all the typewriters go?' as well, 'When did the typewriters go?'

I will arise more details to this discussion, however I can personally say that the only typewriters I have found are vintage, rarities that are sold on ebay or other auctions. Other than that, the typewriters have found home to attics, junkyards, or have even become pieces of abstract artwork.


If anyone has pictures of vintage typewriters that you would like to share... please let us know! We'd love to host a gallery of them!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Welcome to WDIG!

Hi all!

This will be the first of MANY installments. Where Did It Go aka WDIG (which I just found out this acronym is a radio station in Steubenville, Ohio ...so hopefully I am not intruding in any legal copyright problems) is purposed to bringing awareness to all the things, people, places, ideas, or anything that have become hidden from the world. From typewriters to 70s bands, whatever the topic or focus is, every blog will try to bring some ways for where it went, why it went, where we can find it now, as well as some other interesting point of views and perspectives.

I'm not exactly sure if this format is/has been done already, but I think this is such a cool idea that I must launch this project! :)

If you happen to have something that you wish for me to write about, or maybe have some answers to what is discussed in Where Did It Go, then please do not hesitate and let us know... we would love all the support!

Cheers to the future of WDIG,
Jeff