TOPIC:

Hello Frank,

Who knows, perhaps next time !!

Cheers for now.

Adrian

Adrian,
Tell me truthfully, just how difficult is it to find stuff locally these days, the country used to be awash with good material, but, only recently, Brian left me with the impression that this is no longer the case?
Regards Frank

Frank,

There are still a few good items to be had. It does help if you network yourself a bit though. However, from an auction perspective City Coins continually put together very good catalogues which are eagerly awaited each year. Every now and again some good medals come up on a local Ebay type site as well.

I think however, that word of mouth is the best way these days.

Regards
Adrian

Frank Kelley wrote: Hello Brian,
When you say old, how old exactly?
Regards Frank

Brianc wrote: My best finds were a few nice old Colonial badges mainly Natal Carbineers and Umvoti Mounted Rifles.

Medal wise... no Victorian medals but a few beauties from later conflicts.

Brett, I have been keeping my eyes peeled for Pte Rowells write-up?

Regards
Brian

Frank

The badges were mostly around the 100 year old mark, covering the 1906 to WW1 era. I have for some years neglected my small collection of badges, after indulging is medal collecting. Always had a soft spot for badges as that was where the collecting bug for me began...many moons ago!

One just took it for granted that these would be plentiful for ever, but then one suddenly realises that they are not there anymore...hence the renewed interest, before they do disappear.

The price of medals has also esculated for us out here in Africa, with the Rand not worth the paper it is printed on. Hence swapping has allowed me to still gain new groups for the collection, and for my friends to enjoy some of the groups that I also cherised at one time (and still do). My view of collecting has changed over the last few years and collecting for the sake of "hoarding" is no longer my goal...I like a group or medal if it has a story, irrespective of the era. Stupidly, I had a goal at one time to try and collect a group/medal to every Artillery Regt in SA...silly me. I did get quite far and still have many of the rare CGHGSM singles or paired up with a QSA. Some of those little units had very low medal issues ie 12 or 16 to the unit.

Regards
Brian

Brett Hendey wrote: Brian

Thanks to the vendor, Rory and Frank, I now have many papers on which to base a biography of Rowell. Brian T has promised to look for records on Rowell's career as a Scoutmaster, so, after I have had a response from him, I will start writing.

For the information of readers who do not already know the story, I should mention here that Brian alerted me to the Rowell lot that was up for auction on a local site. After establishing that I was interested, he bid successfully on my behalf, picked up the items from the vendor in Maritzburg while on his way back from a visit to Johannesburg, and then delivered them to my front door.

I am very fortunate indeed to have Brian, Rory, Frank and Brian T as friends. I felt grand arranging the acquisition of the Rowell relics from the comfort of my home, with only one visit to the bank to upset my daily routine. This may well be the way Lord Ashcroft adds to his collection, so, for the first time in my life, I feel as though I am a VIP.

Regards
Brett

Lord Hendey

You make me out to be a saint...actually I just like helping my mates out generally. These days people are so self centered and lacking in values, it makes me sick. Thanks to my parents we were brought up with old school values in the same way you were.

I think we are lucky to have you as a friend and fellow collector, who is very knowledgeable and willing to share this knowledge to boot.

Regards and Best Wishes for 2015.

Brian

Brianc wrote:

Brett Hendey wrote: Brian

Thanks to the vendor, Rory and Frank, I now have many papers on which to base a biography of Rowell. Brian T has promised to look for records on Rowell's career as a Scoutmaster, so, after I have had a response from him, I will start writing.

For the information of readers who do not already know the story, I should mention here that Brian alerted me to the Rowell lot that was up for auction on a local site. After establishing that I was interested, he bid successfully on my behalf, picked up the items from the vendor in Maritzburg while on his way back from a visit to Johannesburg, and then delivered them to my front door.

I am very fortunate indeed to have Brian, Rory, Frank and Brian T as friends. I felt grand arranging the acquisition of the Rowell relics from the comfort of my home, with only one visit to the bank to upset my daily routine. This may well be the way Lord Ashcroft adds to his collection, so, for the first time in my life, I feel as though I am a VIP.

Regards
Brett

Lord Hendey

You make me out to be a saint...actually I just like helping my mates out generally. These days people are so self centered and lacking in values, it makes me sick. Thanks to my parents we were brought up with old school values in the same way you were.

I think we are lucky to have you as a friend and fellow collector, who is very knowledgeable and willing to share this knowledge to boot.

Regards and Best Wishes for 2015.

Brian

Brian, I quite agree with your sentiments about Brett and regards your previous post regarding " Hoarding" of medals, we all did it at some point but yes, all you end up with is a pile\bucket of dros that nobody wants

Off to visit my girl in the Berg now.

Cheers
Adrian