BUYER BEWARE!

I have been a collector of 

spool knitters for a number of years

now. While I would still consider

myself an amateur/novice collector, there are

still some things you

should notice that would make a lot

of sense when it comes to buying

vintage spool knitters.

I have seen over the past months,

so called vintage spool knitters being

sold on the internet. Yes, they have

that old look about them, but did

they start out originally as spool knitters?

I have in the past spoken of recycling

items like salt & pepper shakers, skittles, or perhaps

turning skipping rope handles into spool

knitters. This is all well and good and I

accept this alternative ... I have done

this myself and have stated

exactly what they had been in

as "past life", purely for my
own collection,

.... but I do not accept

those being sold under false pretences

as unique, rare and very old spool

knitters.

There is one seller in particular who makes

this claim on certain

listings, and I question this seller as to how

often he/she seems to continually find these 

supposedly rare and very old

spool knitters.

I notice things like the centre core of

the spool knitter as being newly drilled.

The diameter of the core is unusually

larger than normal. While the nails

have been stated as being oxidized, this

is easy to do yourself and nail them

into the top. If the piece is so old then,

wouldn't there be more wear at certain

areas of the so called spool knitter?

The area around the base of

the nails for instance, and also

around the spool knitter where it is held.

Some of the 'so called' spool knitters have

unusual extras or protuberances

like noses, ears, etc.,

so these should be showing signs of wear.

One of these were the chef salt shakers

(Salty and Peppy)

that are very easily recognized.... there are

so many of these that have been made.

The hat had been painted a different colour

which is also so easily done yourself.
The base of the "spool knitter" has
the recognizable concave which is
commonly found in salt & pepper
shakers.
These are individual pieces also and
do not have a box.

I just want to say to be very aware

when it comes to buying - if they sell

at a low price, then that is fine and as it

should be with its

"past life" noted, but if the buyers do not

know and the piece sells for an

astronomical price, then that is absolutely

absurd. 

Serious collectors, please be aware of this,

 ask the seller lots of questions.

Read the descriptions carefully and check

out all of the photos, ask the seller for lots

more photos.

You do not want to pay ridiculous prices

for a salt shaker!

Please do make comments to me about

this - as I do want to know your thoughts too!

..........

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