Latest Gear Display Idea

prettybigguy · Post by **prettybigguy** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:06 pm

I was toying around with ideas about how to display my Gear and Artifacts and I was considering getting a generic "head and torso" mannequin for my fedora, jacket, Mk VII, etc. I then started moving toward a more realistic way of displaying the gear without having a corner of my home look like a museum. For a while I had my gear on an antique dresser with some hooks on the wall to display the fedora and jacket.
Recently, while out shopping, I stumbled across a piece of furniture called an étagère (at least that's what my interior designed fiancé calls it!

). It's a small wooden piece built to hold a men's suit jacket and slacks and it even has a small tray to hold pocket items. The top even has a small post, perfect for a fedora! Here's a pic:

Here it is holding my gear:

Here's a detail of the items in the tray:

Until I find a nice antique curio cabinet, this one from IKEA is holding my artifacts:

Let me know what you think!
PBG

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:09 pm

VERY nice! What type of pocketwatch do I see in that tray, PBG?

Regards. Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:26 pm

Nice, PBG! Where did you find it? It looks like something I could use? Do you mind me asking how much you paid for it?

bink

Feraud · Post by **Feraud** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:44 pm

Excellent display! I guess I am not alone in liking the pocketwatch. I too am wondering what type it is.
I have a couple of antique pocket watches & chains. Three Walthams and an Elgin I think. The watches keep good time. There is nothing like the sound of one of those old ticking watches!

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:48 pm

Feraud wrote:

Three Walthams and an Elgin I think.

You had better hide those from Michaelson.

8-[

Oh, and great display. Those things are great for setting your clothes up the night before to put on in the morning. I've never seen one used in this way. It's a great idea.

prettybigguy · Post by **prettybigguy** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:52 pm

Thanks guys!
Michaelson, The watch is a Colibri quartz that I bought years ago when I started swing dancing. The case has gotten pretty beat up over the years so I thought it would look good with the display. A few months back I saw a completely refurbished Elgin railroad watch that was going for $200. I was just about to move and $$$ was tight so I passed on it. I'm still kicking myself for it!
Bink, I bought it at a store called Hobby Lobby. There is a chain of them around here and if you are not familiar with them, they are a mix of a Cost Plus World Maket and a Michaels. It was about $80 since it is all oak.
PBG

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:00 pm

Elgins....Walthams.....music to my ears. Oh, let's see, try a total (when all are in the house) of anywhere from 8 to 10 pocketwatches (Waltham, Illinois, Elgin, Hampden, Longines, to name a few), 3 wristwatches (Lipton, Bulova, Elgin), 2 1930's alarm clocks and a New England Clock co. (Formally known as Sessions) all ticking on hooks on my side of the bedroom, and all within 3 to 6 feet of ear shot, and that's just at ONE end of the house. Funny, most of the time I don't know what time it is, even though there are no fewer than 4 chiming clocks in the house. You get so used to the sound! Even my WIFE doesn't notice them (I guess after almost 29 years, she's gone deaf? (grins)) I'm constantly tweaking, researching, and timing the watches, and am probably happiest when doing so. It's yet another passion of mine....
Regards. Michaelson

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:21 pm

Great display PBG, my only comment is that according to Peter, you shouldn't put your Wested on a coat hanger, it stretches out the leather at the shoulder. Great display though!

:junior: -IJ

Feraud · Post by **Feraud** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:26 pm

Sounds like a nice collection Michaelson!
You work on your watches? Are you self-taught? I love the mechanics of pocketwatches. There is something so fascinating about 'em. I have been so tempted to get a set of watchmakers tools and take one apart.

Oh, and didn't mean to highjack the threat from prettybigguy!

Bushman · Post by **Bushman** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:30 pm

The piece of furniture you are using for your jacket and hat is a "valet" (Yes, just like a gentleman's personal attendant.). An etagere is a piece of furniture with open shelves, for bric-a-brac and such.

No disrespect intended towards your fiance! Only mentioning this for any fellow Gearheads who do search for a valet. They are easy enough to find. Most good men's clothing stores used to offer them.

Bushman

JerseyJones · Post by **JerseyJones** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:30 pm

Heck I actually USE mine for like work stuff !

I like the antique one though, PBG, I was considering adding a bar for my hat block to sit on so I can hang my hat for the next day on it.

Great find sir !

Ken

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:32 pm

I hang mine on wooden suit jacket hangers that push the shoulders forward, taking most the weight off the seams (where they can stretch). They can be purchased anywhere, and are a good investment.

Feraud, to answer your two watch questions, a little, and yes, through several books and being a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. You get a LOT of information there...and thank you! I'm proud of my small collection, and it changes constantly (with the exception of a few 'favorites' that stay in the rotation).

Regards. Michaelson

Rabittooth · Post by **Rabittooth** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:40 pm

That is a very sweet display, both the gear and the artifacts. Very classy, appropriate and well done.
Is that an RLSA lightsaber I see there? and the Obi-esque ANH style...A Parks?
Very nice prettybigguy.

-Rabitooth

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:49 pm

Thanks, PBG. We have Hobby Lobby stores around here, so I may have to look for one.

I have my great grandfather's Hamilton pocket watch which is in beautiful condition. I wear it out on special occasions.

As for my Wested, when it's at home, it sometimes rests on a nice, thick wooden coat hanger, but usually I hang it over the post at the end of our staircase, with a scarf or two folded beneath it. The AB rests on top of that, with my WPG bag slung over the post under the whole lot. It makes it handy to grab everything on my way out the door.

bink

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:50 pm

PBG,
We're only about 45 minutes from each other now. When we gunna hook up? I'd love to see that display in person. You're more than welcome to come on by at any time so long as there are no naked women gallivanting around my place.

Hey, it COULD happen someday.

Got Maul is right in the heart of the city as well so we'll have to plan some sort of summit for this summer. Maybe get some others to come in. That'd be cool.

I like the stuff. That Ikea cabinet is sure popular. I've seen alot of collectors with those. Which Abner journal is that?

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 5:10 pm

Very nice display - I like! I agree with Agent5 on getting together. If you guys put together a Summit down there in the Windy City let me know. I'm sure it won't take much to twist my arm to get down there somehow again since you're just a weekend trip away from the Twin Cities....

prettybigguy · Post by **prettybigguy** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 12:00 pm

Thanks for all the kind comments guys. I'm not worried about the jacket seams. The hanger is very wide and round, so the jacket will be all right. As far as the spike on the top, I don't think it's pointy enough to do any damage to my lids. I appreciate your concern though.
Good eye Rabittooth, that is indeed an RLSA saber and a Parks Obi-Wan. Agent 5, we'll have to get something together soon. Maybe in the spring? A midwest summit would be a good time. It would be good to meet some more of you guys. Minnesota Jones (whom I've met before) is in and I'm sure Cabinetman would try to come. Has anyone heard from Illinois Troy lately?
Oh, to answer your other question, I hand bound the Abner Journal myself. I was considering selling them but each one takes a long time to make! I used Prop Replicator's packet and inserts for the content. I'll definatly bring it with me when we get together.

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 2:26 am

Snazzy! How are you enjoying being back in Chicago?

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 6:24 am

agent5 wrote:PBG,
We're only about 45 minutes from each other now. When we gunna hook up? I'd love to see that display in person. You're more than welcome to come on by at any time so long as there are no naked women gallivanting around my place.

Hey, it COULD happen someday.

In your dreams, boy. In your dreams.

LOL J/K

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:44 am

Wow! Thats a great display, I might have to look for one of these today when Im out shopping, I love it!

prettybigguy · Post by **prettybigguy** » Sun May 21, 2006 8:11 pm

My wife and I bought a house this past fall, and rather than start another new post, I thought I 'd put up some pics of my Gear in it's new setting, with some new additions!

Here's everything

Here's the Indy stuff in the cabinet, which also contains other movie props and action figures

Here's the valet wi th my gear

I FINALLY framed my temple map from Restraining Bolt. The burlap matte turned out pretty good I think!
PBG