[SEL] Information boards and shows

[Jerry Evans]

Hi Guys,
         We also had our annual show this weekend - pages will hopefully be 
up by tomorrow night. I'm not as quick as those Aussies.

         Peter and Patrick - thanks for posting your "Rusty Iron' pics. 
Peter, how did you manage to beat Patrick - his pics are normally up so 
quickly :-)

         Your post included mention of the lack of "Info Boards". I 
experienced that this weekend and have included a note on my webpages (the 
one that will hopefully be up tomorrow).

         In the meantime here is a "copy & paste" from the page of my 
thoughts on the matter.

"******** Note re. the importance of "information boards" on engines  ********

Something discussed recently on the Old Engine list was the lack of 
"information boards" on engines. South Africa is no exception here and many 
engines lacked information boards (we call them "Brag Boards"). Even guys 
that I do know to own "Brag Boards" for their engines (I KNOW because I've 
made boards for them at no charge) did not bother to use them.

My experience this weekend showed just how important these boards are.  My 
1928 Wolseley R was "parked" between my daughter's and my Wolseley WD9's 
(both 1960 something models). In the rush of loading everything for the 
show I forgot the board for the 1928 Wolseley (guilty as charged) and was 
really surprised at the number of spectators (and even a television crew) 
who would read one of the boards on the 1960's engines, walk right past the 
1928 model and read the board on the other 1960 model - many took 
photographs and even made comments about "how nice they were" but ignored 
the far more collectible 1928 model. Of course I'm talking about the 
general public here, engine collectors know better and they admired the 
older engine.

C'mon guys - use your boards - they enhance the display and the experience 
for spectators. Many spectators are too shy or lack the confidence to ask 
questions (many are even too scared to show their ignorance) so they just 
ignore the engine and move on. You'd be surprised at how many people will 
show interest and strike up a conversation with you if they just had "a bit 
of info" on the engine first - it seems to make them "more qualified" to 
talk to you or to compliment you on the engine (hey, we all like 
compliments). Remember also that the more discussions you have with 
spectators the more will you increase the chances that one of them may call 
you one day to say that they have found an old engine that you may be 
interested in."

********************

         I have (and use) boards for each of my engines (O.K. so I'm 
luckier than most because I have a small sign business) but these boards 
need not cost a lot of bucks. Something simple made on your computer (or a 
mates computer) is better than nothing. After all the trouble and expense 
of restoring an engine this is only a small thing and makes a big difference.

         Info I put on my boards is:
         Make,
         Model,
         Serial Number,
         H.P. @ RPM,
         Date manufactured,
         Country of Origin,
         Owner/restorers name
         and my website address (people seem to be impressed that you have 
a website for engines and <www.oldengine.org> is a great address.
         (If the engine was given to me I also include "Donated by Joe 
Soap" - which has the added advantage of letting people know that I'm 
totally available for freebies <smile>)

         If I want to say more I make another board (for example to 
describe the uses of the engine).

         I also have cards printed with my website address and contact 
details and hand these out freely at shows - if one in a hundred finds me 
another old engine then it's been worthwhile, Of course I've also ended up 
with a few stuffed lawnmower engines in the process but that's the chance 
you take and you accept them graciously - you gotta kiss a lot of frogs 
before you find a prince.

         O.K. that's my "tuppence ha'penny" worth.

Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
<www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm>