Collect the past and invest for your family’s future. Enjoy a great hobby that lasts a lifetime. Collecting brings you joy, knowledge and an understanding of how far our society has come and where we have come from.
I hope you are keeping well and staying safe. Jen and I are looking forward to receiving our second Covid injection soon. It is inspiring to see the community caring for each other with the use of masks, sanitising and checking in at all venues. We really do care about each other!
Remember to visit our wonderful local Museum, in Wingham. The committee ad volunteer team do a great job displaying past wares of the Manning and fantastic items of historical interest. Also remember some of our local businesses are doing it tough, at the moment and need our support.
The Tokyo Olympics have given a welcome distraction to the health warnings and restrictions of Covid. These young representatives are inspiring Australians, not only from a point of view of what they have achieved but the wonderful displays of sportsmanship, comradery and sheer determination that they project. We are lucky that the parents and coaches of these wonderful athletes are instilling the skills of life rather than just winning into them.
Kyle Chalmers was a great example. I loved the way he embraced and congratulated Dressler of the USA straight after their 100m Freestyle final and then, in his interview, confirming his love for his family, especially his grandparents and his desire to be with them. If young people of today are being taught these skills Australia’s future will be in good hands.
Mikimoto Kōkichi (25 January 1858 – 21 September 1954) was a Japanese entrepreneur who is credited with creating the first cultured pearl and subsequently starting the cultured pearl industry with the establishment of his luxury pearl company Mikimoto.
On April 18, 1985, the Japan Patent Office selected him as one of Ten Japanese Great Inventors.
The company was ranked as one of the world’s most luxurious brands by Women’s Wear Daily Magazine and Mikimoto was considered one of the best Japanese financial leaders of the 20th century. He is also known as the founder of Mikimoto Pharmaceuticals, a company specialising in beauty products containing pearl calcium. Mikimoto Pearl Island is named after him. In addition, the «Phoenix Mikimoto Crown” used by Miss Universe winners as well as the pageant crown used by Miss International is credited to his work.
Mikimoto’s father was a shop owner. He was the eldest son. At age 11, Mikimoto’s father fell ill. He left school at the age of 13 and sold vegetables to support his family. Seeing the pearl divers of Ise unloading their treasures at the shore in his childhood started his fascination with pearls. At the age of 20, Mikimoto noticed the many flaws of pearls as he judged a pearl exhibition in 1878. This began Mikimoto’s search for the development of the perfect pearl.
In 1888, Mikimoto started his first pearl oyster farm at the Shinmei inlet on Ago Bay with his wife and partner Ume. On 11 July 1893 he was able to create hemispherical cultured pearls.
The pearls were made by seeding the oyster with a small amount of mother of pearl. He introduced his pearls at a marine products exposition in Norway in 1897 and began an export business. Mikimoto was now making spherical pearls that were indistinguishable from the highest quality natural ones and sales continued to rise.
On 21 September 1954, Mikimoto died at the age of 96. Mikimoto’s personal memorabilia are displayed at Mikimoto Pearl Island Memorial Hall, a museum in Toba, Japan. His companies pearl jewellery continues to be prized by people all around the world.
Here are some of my regular local haunts for general antiques, they might supply a treasure for you. Clancy’s Secondhand near MRD Hospital in High St, Taree. Barry at Isadora’s Antiques – at the Valley Fair in Victoria St, Taree, Col Second Hand in Commerce St Taree, Sue at Delinquent Funk – in Isabella St and Dave and my new shop (Antiques & Old Wares) also in Isabella St, in Wingham. Call in and say hello. Happy hunting!
If you have items that you are not sure of, I may be able to help with information, appraisals and/or sales. I love the history and stories of old and interesting treasures.
Phone Rex – 0427 880 546.
Take care & stay safe!