As I mentioned in my recent Auckland fair report, I was able to pick up a box full of 18 die-cast pencil sharpeners for just $10 NZ. That is about £5.
All are in an Antique Bronze finish. Some have plastic parts, usually in black or white. A couple are missing the actual sharpener, but most are complete. Some also have opening or moving parts.
I was only interested in a couple of the transport-related ones, but the lady wanted to sell the whole box, and I got a great bargain.
I recall when these sharpeners were in the shops, but I have not seen any around for years. There are usually one or two sellers at fairs with a few of these.
Most are loose, but sometimes you can find examples in either their original small cardboard boxes, or in a plastic bubble on a backing card.
The only boxed one I found this time, was an old naval cannon, of the sort that would have been carried by HMS Victory at Trafalgar.
A Rolls-Royce veteran touring car. I think the double-decker bus is a Routemaster.
Four assorted musical instruments. A wonderful fireplace, with a musket, broom, bed-warming pan, and logs in the grate.
A selection of what could be loosely described as household items: Washboard and tub; early electric fan; oil lamp; weather vane; alarm clock; school desk and seat (the desk top opens and the seat tips up); vintage camera (the bellows slides back and forth); water pump and bucket; rubbish bin; and an old-fashioned hand water-pump for fire fighting.
These are great fun to collect, they do not take up a lot of room, and they are usually fairly cheap. They are also useful, as they can still be used to sharpen pencils.
have you got any?
Paul Adams
NZ
