Your Letters: This month’s

Your Letters

This month’s haul includes a plea to help identify an intriguing game and memories of rabbit stew

I look forward each month to receiving my

copy of Antique Collecting

magazine and have subscribed for at least 35 years. I have inherited from my parents a mysterious old game that has been in storage for many years, but no-one seems to know what it is or where it came from.

It consists of a wooden box (perhaps teak) with eight compartments housing some 50 engraved, mother-of-pearl counters made up variously of large and small circular and oblong shapes, along with seven fish counters measuring 5½cm in length.

The decorations inside the box indicate that it could have come from India or somewhere in the Far East. Perhaps one of your readers might be able to shed some light on it? Geraldine Hultkrantz, Lidingö, Sweden, by email

Our star letter

receives a copy of Bulgari Treasures of Rome by Vincent Meylan worth £55. Write to us at Antique Collecting, Sandy Lane, Old Martlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4SD or email magazine@ accartbooks.com

Left Is the game Far Eastern in origin?

Above right Animal tureens were a staple of the majolica repertoire

Right Gareth Floyd’s (b.1937) Illustrations for Stig of the Dump went under the hammer at Ewbank’s

Below left Two of the seven mother-of-pearl counters, in the shape of fish

Interesting to hear in the recent magazine (Editor’s Welcome, August issue) of the resurgence of antique shops. We have two new ones that have opened in my home town since the start of the year. Even better, is a dedicated retailer devoted to vinyl records. Long may it continue.

M. Frank-Roberts, by email

Be part of the conversation on Twitter and Instagram @antiquemag

Star letter

Many thanks for the article on majolica in last month’s magazine (Flights of Fancy, August issue). I well remember a tureen in the shape of a rabbit that my grandmother used to serve rabbit stew in.

I must admit I found the ceramic representation of the animal we were eating about as tasteless as the stew, but your insights into the makers and designers of the style really made me appreciate it all the more – although I am now a vegetarian.

Frank Beaumont, by email

What a trip down memory lane your feature on Stig of the Dump was (Top of the Lots, August issue). As a boy I read and re-read Clive King’s famous book. How I loved Barney and Stig and the adventures they had. I don’t ever remember it being on Jackanory, but I do remember the wonderful illustrations in the book and wishing I, too, could take part in the capers they showed.

J. Johnson, Edinburgh, by email

Answers to the quiz on page 54

Q1 (a) Short musical fiddle. Q2 (b) A 19th-century firearm barrel. Q3 (d) Lion. Q4 All of them. Q5 (c) actually early 1840s. Q6 (a) An angel. Q7 (b) The word comes from the Hindi word paanch meaning five. Q8 (c) Timepieces. Q9 (a) Fabulous heraldic beasts. Q10. (a), (d), (e) and (h). Horses were ‘noble’ but too rounded (cows were more angular). If cows were drawn, they should be in a group of three. Sheep were fine as long as very woolly. Grey rocks were better than red at setting off green foliage.

Luminal writer = William Turner (c) Chap’s tie = pastiche (b) To a brute = tabouret (d) Beryl whirls art = Strawberry Hill (a)

Private Collection of Transport Signs and Ephemera and Part II of Westminster Council London Street Signs

Two week timed auction starting 10th September - 24th September

Enquiries telephone Catherine Southon or Simon Spier Tel: 020 8468 1010 Email: info@catherinesouthon.co.uk

GILDINGS

AUCTIONEERS - EST 1980

A PRIVATE COLLECTION OF SCALE MODEL RAILWAY

Wednesday 14th September

Catalogue online: Wednesday 1st September

Register your interest now at: gildings.co.uk

This single owner’s lifetime collection of O gauge and OO gauge model railways features over 800 items, including locomotives, passenger coaches, wagons, rolling stock and trackside accessories. There are many impressive O gauge locomotives including BassettLowke, ACE Trains, Vintage Trains, Hornby, Darstaed, Trix and many others, ranging from pre-war examples to modern trains.

Gildings Auctioneers The Mill, Great Bowden Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DE Telephone : 01858 410414 | Email: sales@gildings.co.uk | www.gildings.co.uk