MYSTERY OBJECTS

[PanBiker]

Whitby Jet

[Tizer]

Is it obsidian? If I detect some whitish spots then possibly snowflake obsidian. Another possibility would be haematite although it tends to be more shiny than black. Mrs Tiz took one look and said black opal. When I asked her if there is such a thing as black opal she said "If there isn't then I've just made it up".

[Marilyn]

if she has been sitting on a lump of Black Opal ( or any other lump of rare and precious and valuable rock) all these years without telling her wee sister, I'll be giving her the death stare next time we meet!

[Stanley]

Looks like a black beach pebble to me.... Mary and I once furtled around on a beach on the West Coast of Scotland that is famous for gem quality stones in the pebbles on the beach. They all looked like pebbles to me so perhaps I haven't got the eye!

[Cathy]

The stone is a Heliotrope (or green Jasper). I received it named as a Bloodstone.
Bloodstone is green with distinctive red spots that resemble blood, giving the stone its name. It was used to stop bleeding, especially nose bleeds. I can't actually see any red spots or flecks on it, it just looks dark green to me.

And no I haven't got any coal, it was Grandma Tillum (Tillotson). She got off the plane here in Adelaide with a lump of coal in her pocket. It was for good-luck for her flight from England. She was probably buried with it...

[Stanley]

Maz has sent this one......

[Marilyn]

Can you tell me where the above came from and who designed it?
It is printed both sides ( the other side has label), and is of cardboard construction.
( and Yes, I know how to use it)

Looks a bit like a slice of bread, doesn't it?

[Cathy]

Could be one for Sue.
All I can think of is that its a pattern for a piece of children's clothing.

[Wendyf]

A dressmaking design tool to help with fitting sleeves?

[Marilyn]

On the right track...but more than that. It's basically a dressmaker's mannequin in flat pack form...for both sexes, child and adult sizes.
Made in Lancashire.
Is it ringing any bells for anyone?

[Tizer]

Oh well, it's good I didn't try on that one. I was about to say it looked like the sort of thing Professor Brian Cox would use as a ruler and straight edge in his cosmological investigations!

Cathy, I liked the comment about Grandma Tillum's lucky piece of coal being buried with her. Of course, thousands of years ago people were buried with all sorts of personal belongings, sometimes including the their dog and the odd slave or two. Just the other day I was wondering whether the archaeologists had it all wrong about burials with favourite swords and the like. Having had to clear houses recently it struck me that the burial of the`favourite sword' might really have been more a case of the relatives saying "Oh, and don't forget to chuck that rusted old sword in with him, it might as well help fill the hole we spent so much time digging."

[Bodger]

I thought it was an early navigation system

[Stanley]

Maz sent this pic this morning. No doubt she will explain....

[Marilyn]

A dressmaking system designed by two ( possibly three) sisters from Bolton, Lancs.
They came from a family of 6 children, and their Mother was widowed at a young age. Grace was born in 1878, and Florence was born in 1884. Florence was employed as a Tailor's assistant in her teens. Grace toured the country, setting up meetings where she would demonstrate her system and enrol women for 12 week courses. The courses were backed up by seasonal booklets displaying new patterns ( men's, women's, children, maternity, and fashionable garments for the larger figure, including Lingerie).These were all based on the skills taught in the courses, which most importantly consisted in being able to measure any body perfectly, and using the cardboard device, make clothes that fitted perfectly. Grace died in her early 80s in 1960. I believe she worked pretty much until the day she died and was passionate about her craft. She was still teaching in the 1950s. Florence died in 1966. Neither ever married.
Between them they covered every aspect of running the business, from designing, advising the printers and taking postal orders for their wares...their office was run at home, and they had three assistants.
In Bolton, Grace held regular lectures and demonstrations at the Spinner's Hall and Bethel Church Institute. In other places, generally church halls were hired, chosen if they were centrally located.
Grace did vast amounts of travelling, and got her inspiration for garments from attending London fashion shows.
I admire them because they were successful women. And their patterns are beautiful and their system of measuring is accurate. All before the ill fitting paper patterns too...

[Stanley]

Well, that deals with that one! Try this.....

[Gloria]

Designer clothing label. Perhaps off a pair of those dinky shorts???

[Marilyn]

Just wanted to add a comment to my previous mystery object, because I think it is important.
These objects, and the women themselves, shouldn't be quickly glossed over as female frippery.
If you think about the times they were born and left fatherless, ( and the fact they never married), these women achieved so much. They ran a business and were financially successful through at least one World War ( possibly two) and the Depression. When Grace died in 1960, she left nearly £15,000 to Florence and another remaining sister ( which is why I think there were three sisters involved).
And the fact is, that nearly a century later, I can use their system to make garments fit perfectly.
I find it a bit sad that there is not some kind of local interest ( museum/exhibit) to these women ( considering some of the rubbish I have paid money for in UK to see historical things that aren't that interesting!)

"Legends"....I say!

[Cathy]

Yes, Grace and Florence have been popping into my head for most of today. Very enterprising women.
I've been wondering 'Did you buy it second hand?' If you ever go back to England take it to an auctioneer house.

[Wendyf]

What was their surname Maz? I don't think you have mentioned it.

[Marilyn]

No Cazza, I was given it some 20 years ago by a man in his late 80s whose wife had died. I believe this woman had done a course with these women. He didn't want to throw it away and thought I might get some use from it.
As far as "taking it to an Auctioneer", I have seen mention of scans of the cardboard device selling for $40 and scans of the booklets selling for $20 each.
I don't want to make money from them, but would gladly donate what I have to a museum/ exhibit providing I had reassurances that the recipient would not take them to sell or make money from them either. Things like this should be enjoyed by others and on display somewhere. I've seen booklets on Amazon, but seeing as I have originals, I can tell you they are reprints as the lettering is different.

Wendy...their surname was Haslam.
I know from the net that there is some interest in America ( and indeed Australia) re their life/products ( and I found a report from the Bolton Times with a 2013 interview with a past employee) but apart from that there seems little UK interest. I did some searches on Ancestry...which gave some info...but having never married or produced children, there are no direct descendants of course. I know those three sisters never married...and I have a feeling that (?) all their siblings were girls? I don't think any of them married, but I would have to do more research.

[Tizer]

I always knew Bolton must be famous for something!

[Stanley]

Ahem!.....

[PanBiker]

I'm with Gloria its a label from some kind of garment, Austrian, lederhosen maybe?

[Wendyf]

The garment looks a bit woolly, so I'm guessing it's a waistcoat to wear with the lederhosen.

[LizG]

Dressing gown label?