[SEL] Information boards and shows

[William J Pfeiffer Sr]

I also have a detailed explaination of just how a hit - n - miss works, I got from a 1916 correspondence course from Cornell University, that has been a very big hit.  I made it to fit on a 8 X 14 sheet of paper with the font big enough for most people to read with out glasses.  Even people that have been in the hobby for a while stop to read it an find it interesting.
 
I feel that a major part of this hobby is educating the "public" on how hard life was for a typical farmer. Not just preserving history but in a way teaching it too.
 
Just my 2 cents.
 
Peg Pfeiffer
Rolling Meadows IL
 
> Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:50:48 +0200> To: stationary-engine at oldengine.org; sel at lists.stationary-engine.com> From: jerrye at databak.co.za> Subject: [SEL] Information boards and shows> > 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>> > > > _______________________________________________> SEL mailing list> SEL at lists.stationary-engine.com> http://www.stationary-engine.com/mailman/listinfo/sel