MYSTERY OBJECTS

[chinatyke]

It looks like something for peicing or embossing leather or similar, a skill I dont have.

I agree. Is it what a cobbler would use around the welt(?) joining the upper and lower parts of a leather shoe?

[Stanley]

I can see why you might think that but sorry, no. Clue, think about the uses wire is put to.....

[chinatyke]

Inserting copper wire as a decoration in ...? Gorgonzola cheeses?

[Stanley]

I think it is time to come clean.... I had it for many years before I realised that it was a clever little tool for winding coils on a former that is adjustable for different thicknesses and coil spacings. See THIS web page for a patent issued to the Hjorth Lathe and Tool Company of Boston in July 1907. It is a Perfection No. 1 coil winding tool. (Pat, US 861,283)

Try this which is even harder!



Clue, two identical size metal plates, the left one is brass and the right cast iron.

[chinatyke]

Anything to do with balls and brass monkeys?

[Tizer]

Are they samples from a supplier of metals? Or standards for brass and cast iron?

[chinatyke]

Anything to do with balls and brass monkeys?

...and different rates of expansion/contraction with temperature?

[plaques]

Try this which is even harder!

If this is a clue then they could be Brinell hardness testing reference plates.

[StoneRoad]

Reference plates ?

[Stanley]

Sorry no. Big clue because it is so hard. Think ornamental turning...

[Stanley]

One more clue, they were loaded with abrasive and used for honing ivory cutters and similar. Question is using what? I'll give it one more day.

[chinatyke]

Is it for honing your Solingen cut throat razor?

[Stanley]

No China but for achieving a similar level of sharpness on lathe cutters. But what were they used in conjunction with?
Think Holzappfel.....

[chinatyke]

Well the Mr. Holzappfel of lathe making fame originated from Strasbourg which is famous for gastronomy. So obviously for honing knives to precision cut gorgonzola. I knew I'd get my blue cheese in somewhere!
Were his lathes used for ornamental turning of ivory for musical instruments or timepieces?

[Stanley]

The name Ornamental Turning contains the clue. His method of turning could make any shape and of course these products could be used for anything but the key is 'ornamental'. Ivory was a favourite material as was also exotic, very hard woods like Ebony and Lignum Vitae. The key to successful manipulation of these materials was Holtzapfel's lathes allied with the ultimate in sharp cutters for a crisp finish. That's what this object is about, how this was achieved.

[chinatyke]

So, nothing to do with blue cheese? Must go back to watching the moon, at least that's definitely made of cheese.

Wikipedia has been blacklisted here by the Great (fire) Wall of China. so I can't rely on that nowadays.

[Wendyf]

Paraffin?

[Stanley]

I'm going to have to give up on this one, too difficult.
HERE'S the answer. The plates were charged with oil and abrasive and used with a goniostat.

[Tizer]

That was a good one, Stanley!
Now, any idea what these are and their significance?

[Stanley]

That rings a bell but I can't remember the context. Was it advertising ice cream?

[Cathy]

I think it might be to do with a Jam.

[Stanley]

For some reason my brain is telling me to look up Le Chat Noir but I have resisted the temptation.

[Tizer]

As far as I know these images are not directly linked with ice cream or jam. Keeping on racking your brains. Here's a clue - the answer concerns two Manchester men.

[Gloria]

Lucky black cat??

[Tizer]

Oh well done, Gloria! You've got a major part of the answer there. Yes, they are the lucky black cat toys of the two Manchester men I mentioned above. Now, who were the men and what made them famous?