 Signed Findlay Ohio Flolding Pocket umbrella (8239)
My newest umbrella, and has got to be a rare example today in mint condition. The silk cover is perfect and doesn't look like it was ever used. It even has it's original leather cover for transporting it. It is a very complicated system to open and close, because 1/2 the stay slides over the other 1/2. That allows the silk to slide over the lower piece making the entire umbrella 1/2 the length it would normally be when folded. This mechanism is clumsy and would be easy to tear the cloth if the person wasn't careful. I don't think many of these have survived. Just like I don't think anyone else cares. I have yet to meet another umbrella collector. I guess my goal is to document an interesting collectable that is far rarer than canes. I also think if I don't do it, nobody else will. I'm coming accross rare items that cost very little. I just paid $50 for this mint more than 100 year old very rare item. I'm really enjoying collecting these. I'm in Paris now and have found some early examples, that I will put in when I get home. At the risk of repeating myself, you can't have a good collection of much, without going to Europe. Their culture is so much older, and to this day have the best artist for many catagories. I won't say all, because there are exceptions to everything, I have some great American gadget canes, but I think the best decoritive canes and umbrellas are European. I've just come to the conclusion there are some torn original cloths on umbrellas that should not be replaced. I've just aquired one that is dated 1830, the original red silk cloth is all their, but torn. I now think I've got to be careful, on early ones, to evaluate whats there to see what is historically correct.
Category: 1850-1930 - Umbrellas used as canes
Sub Category: Other
Listed: 2006-09-13 14:46:20
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