Wild, windy day in Helensburgh

... ok, I guess this is only to be expected at this time of year, and stormy days certainly make for more dramatic photos, but it's possible to have too much of a good thing. I amn't sure just how the holiday season is going to develop this year - we know of several people who are going on a cruise shortly, but these have been booked for several months. I am sure that there will be people taking advantage of special offers and vacation deals - but I am also hoping that a lot of people visit Scotland to take part in the Homecoming 2009 events. At present it's impossible to gauge.

Despite the uncertainty, we've had a reasonably good start to the year at MacGillivray's Scottish Gifts - and part of that is down to the efforts we made to market our business over the last twenty years. Every now and again someone turns up from a far-flung corner of the world and says "Hey, it's great to see your still here and we made a special trip just to see you!" ... It's the greatest compliment we could get.

... we'll maybe see you sometime in Helensburgh?? I hope so.

Best
Margaret

Moorcroft pottery - it's just delicious

The quality of the Moorcroft pottery shines through in this lovely example of a vase designed by Emma Bossons. It looks good enough to eat. I love the fact that it comes with its original box as well.

The reason it caught my eye in amongst the other Moorcroft auctions was the box - I would have recommended separating the vase and the box in the picture so that the box was evident in the background but didn't overwhelm the shape of the vase. Anyway, when I finally figured out what was going on, I had to show hubby how lovely the vase is :) - he can start saving for my birthday gift right now :)

M

Elsie - animatronic - a talking, singing robotic cow

Elsie - this is a fabulous, must-have item. I love it. After a grey start to the morning, I'm wide awake and smiling now!

Margaret

Do you like weird auctions? It must be time for some more.

I haven't had time to have a quick look at the bizarre stuff which sells on eBay - but I needed a little chuckle this morning and, wow, there is some really amazing stuff! For instance, there's an auction for a Janet Jackson Bra Superbowl 2004 - plus some authentication and newsreel footage to go with it.

Then, as a shopkeeper, I was entertained to see a Black Gorilla Robot Animated Advertising Sign - I'm not sure it would survive the weather on west coast Scotland facing the prevailing south westerly winter storms, but it would certainly be unique!

Then, with an eye to the inauguration of President Obama, there's an auction for a historic newspaper of the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. According to the description:

Here is a complete, genuine historic newspaper with the following title, date and description:
THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 5, 1861

* Abraham Lincoln's 1st Inauguration
* Barack Obama follows his footsteps

A very desirable and historic issue particularly given the inauguration of Barack Obama who has many comparative references to the administration of Abraham Lincoln.

Hmm, I'm not sure this one would be for me - STANDING PUSSY CAT / KITTEN STATUE
HOLDING SEA SHELL DISH, but I could see it appealing to cat lovers - or someone wanting to redecorate their bathroom.

My favorite for today, though, is this optimist who's selling An actual Leaf from the 20th Century! How weird is that!

Now, I'd better go and do some work :) Hope you have a good day. Mine has improved already!

My dream handbag

Every now and again, I stray into territory where my cheque book and credit card are poised on the brink of break out, LOL, no more so than with this lovely handbag by Chanel which is being sold currently. I love quality handbags and watching the bids on this beautifull classic is almost too much to bear. In addition to that, I do actually need a new bag ..... it's so tempting!

Alcoholics Anonymous Collectors' Items

Since I've started surfing around eBay in earnest, I am quite amazed at the range of items which are collectible - for instance, early editions of books from Alcoholics Anonymous fetch some quite high prices when they're in great condition. This could be a great niche market to explore to earn extra income - I suspect there are a lot of people who, like me, have never given a thought to this niche market.

Oil Paintings still show sales on eBay

I wonder how many people are still using eBay to buy paintings and collectibles to add to their collections. Quite a few, judging by the number of items listed with bids. Which artists do you collect?

Deals on eBay - Buy in quantity at bargain prices

When did it happen? I just realised that there's a new tab in the eBay site for special deals. You're probably going to tell me that it's been there for a while - but I only saw it today. I am off to look around and see what kind of bargains are on offer.

Rare illuminated manuscripts - Legenda Aurea

I love watching auctions - and there are some amazing things being sold online when you care to surf around. For instance, I came across this auction for a Legenda aurea rare manuscript with 224 initials - and decided to take a further look.

The manuscript at hand is an edition of Jacobus de Voragine's Legenda Aurea. This collection of legends about the life of numerous saints, written between 1263 and 1273, is seen today as the most famous and most popular chapbook of the Middle Ages. The saints vita's were collocated along the ecclesiastical year. They were provided with substantial explanations of the great holidays Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost and of the liturgical customs. This way, the book does not only serve as a daily edification, but also as a “manual for reflection and contemplation” during the feast days.

Local legends were often extended to the saints' legends written by Jacobus de Voragine too. Between the leaves 256-289 verso, you will find some early enlargements, for example first Saint Lazarus' legend (lvs. 256-258), and beginning with leaf 274, you find a study about Thomas the Apostle.

The text is written in two constant columns, each of them with 40 lines. The text area is very constant too with 8,4 x 5,7 inches. The smooth preparatory drawings of four vertical and 41 horizontal lines are sometimes readily identifiable. The script was written roundly in gothic letters with dark brown ink.

Further, the seller states -

The gorgeously large Fleuronée-initials are especially striking. They are often stretched out over three lines, but some of them even over fourteen lines. A gorgeous initial is as large as a whole page. The initials are alternative red and blue. Red initials are decorated with blue patterns, the blue ones are decorated with copious red patterns. The letters are filled with embellishments, leafages and ornaments. At the same time several slightly curved embellishments are stretched out right over the space and accompany the columns and the edges. These embellishments often capture the edge of a whole page. The stylishly in red and blue coloured letters stand in a beautiful contrast to the nice, framing patterns. Together, they build a nice unity. Each of the sophisticated jewel initials is an outstanding example for the art of book painting in the Middle Ages. In addition, the text is continuously rubricated and structured with numerous red and blue coloured break tags and with several chapers's indication.

Jacobus de Voragine (around 1230 – 1298) was born in the region of Genua. He became a member of the Dominican order in early life. After his education within the fraternity and his studies at the university of Bologna, he became a professor of theology in 1260. Beside teaching in his order's schools, where he was well known due to his rhetoric talents, he was also an itinerant preacher on the whole Italian peninsula. Between 1267 and 1278 and 1281 and 1286 he was provincial superior of the Lombardy. In 1288, finally, he was elected as Genua's archbishop. The Legenda Aurea is Jacobus Voragine's most famous and most important work: it became an important source for veneration of saintin the Middle Ages and later on .

All in all, this is a very rare manuscript from the 14th century. It's presumably the most famous and most influential work of the Middle Ages'. Especially, the manuscript's exceedingly gorgeous illustrations with more than 220 Fleuronnée-initials give this manuscript a unique character and make it worthy to collect!!

I can't begin to imagine owning something this old and this stunning - but now that my interest has been piqued, I am going to watch further auctions for rare illuminated manuscripts.