Gizmodo: antiques

First-Ever Phone Directory and Instruction Manual to Be Auctioned

AddyDugdale — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:10:00 EDT

This is the world's first phone directory—and it's going up for sale next month in New York at Christie's auctioneers. The Telephone Directory, Volume 1, Number 1, for New Haven, Connecticut, aptly enough, is, at 20 pages, more of a pamphlet than the kind of thing that big strong men rip in half to make the ladies swoon (and us geeks shrug and say, "SFW?") But the funniest thing about The Telephone Directory (apart from the estimated price) is the first eight pages—which are instructions on how to use the telephone.

Should you wish to speak to another subscriber... you should...commence the conversation by saying 'Hulloa!' When you are done talking, say 'That is all!', and the person spoken to should say 'O.K.' ... While talking, always speak slow and distinct, and let the telephone rest lightly against your upper lip, leaving the lower lip and the jaw free..."

The directory dates back to 1878 and is expected to fetch between $30,000 and $40,000 when it goes under the hammer, on June 17. Oh, and it also states that profanities or improper language should be reported immediately. That is all. [Christie's via Daily Mail]

19th-Century Vampire Slayer Kit Probably Kills 21st-Century Vamps Too

Matt Buchanan — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:35:59 EDT

It's unfortunate that the original auction page has been removed, because this handy vampire hunter kit put together by Ernst Blomberg provides everything you need to lay waste to unholy bloodsuckers, be they Nosferatu's children or your neighbor's five- year-old.

This kit (which can fetch up to $12,000 at auction) has among other fun implements, "an efficient pistol," "a quantity of bullets of the finest silver," a "wooden stake (oak)," holy water and "Professor Blomberg's New Serum."

Table of Malcontents wonders about the "New Serum" but I bet it's just like an early version of the serum Blade uses to explode vampire heads in the first movie. If so, this kit's totally worth every penny. Besides, can you really put a price on protecting yourself from vampires? – Matt Buchanan

Rare Mid to Late 19th Century Vampire Killing Kit [Survival Arts via Table of Malcontents]

Design Concept: Pocket Watch Alarm Clock

Charlie White — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 17:58:22 EDT

Now here's something you can do with grandpa's pocket watch: you just slide it into the Pocket Watch Alarm Clock and you have a mixture of old and new.

Designer Nicolas Cheng wanted to add new value to an antique pocket watch by placing it in a special fitted compartment on the left, teaming it up with an LED alarm clock on the right. Sensors inside the clock illuminate the LED numerals when you pick it up, and it also appears to have side lighting for the pocket watch, too.

It's a design concept that offers a blend of the old and new, something with which certain bloggers can identify. Not to mention any names. – Charlie White

Pocket Watch Alarm Clock [Moco Loco]