How many family history researchers out there love to browse markets and antique shops? I do. eBay is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) market in the world.
There is so much to be found. Maybe a book or CD that can help you with that "brickwall"? Perhaps a storage solution for all your information? Possibly an idea to display your family history research? Or if you are really lucky, photos or diaries relating to your family or research?
Or like me, you may find an important "memory".
My grandmother died when I was 6 years old. One of my most vivid memories is Nanna winding up the dancing doll in the bottle over and over again. I wasn't allowed to touch it so Nanna would wind it up. She never complained or hesitated when I asked, which was over and over again!
After Nanna died, I asked my father if I could have her maroon (chenille) dressing gown and the dancing doll in the bottle, so my Aunty promptly rescued the items from the opportunity shop that they had been donated to. This must have been the first (of many) family memorabilia items that I collected.
Unfortunately the dancing doll in the bottle was broken years ago and the bottle thrown out. I kept the broken base, doll and music box in an ice cream container for over 30 years, always thinking I would get it repaired. A couple of times I have asked people if they could fix it, but I was always looked at with disdain.
As a result of creating a google alert (I will tell you how when we get to G), I recently received an email that there was an identical item available on eBay but the music didn't work as it had been overwound. I promptly ordered it and waited in anticipation for it to arrive.
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| Source: eBay store i_love_wine |
The first time I wound it up and watched her dance to the music, I was taken back to my childhood, over 40 years ago. A shiver went down my back and the hairs on my neck stood up. You may think me silly but I felt that Nanna was right there!
Click to watch - turn your volume on
You may note it is a different doll to the photo above. We replaced the ballerina and music with my Nanna's.
The ballerina bottle now takes pride of place on my Nanna's crystal cabinet. I can now share my precious memory with my children, and hopefully in future with my grandchildren.
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I'm so glad to hear this story had a happy ending!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blog earlier :)
It may have taken 40 years but it was worth the wait :)
DeleteI love it when objects or smell take us back!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree but don't you hate it when a smell will remind you of something but you can't quite remember what!
Deletei can see why you got shivers! this is amazingly great :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise until I did this post that my cousin also has memories of nanna winding up the music bottle, so I have brought back memories for her too.
Deletethat is so awesome!
ReplyDeletenow you can pass it on with part of you in it too!
I hadn't thought about that but you are right. There is now a little bit more to the story to be passed on!
DeleteHi there, thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment. I love you little treasure and so glad you found it. You are right...you can find ANYTHING on Ebay. Happy A-Z challenge.
ReplyDeleteAnd to still have the liqueur in it is pretty special too. I wonder what it will taste like after 40 years, but I am not going to open it!
DeleteVery nice story and I've never seen a music box like that. Very beautiful and can't blame you for trying to find another. Enjoyed reading your posting
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping by
DeleteI found wonderful pieces of Depression era glassware on eBay to match what my mother left me. They are a great resource.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great! I still have an outstanding search for matching china to go with a set from my other grandmother. I hope it doesn't take me 40 years to find it!
DeleteYour husband is so thoughtful! Lucky lady!
ReplyDeleteHe is certainly Mr Fixit. He seems to be able to fix anything!
DeleteI'm so glad that you are able to relive some of those precious memories from childhood and pass your music doll down. Bless the husbands who make us happy when they know how to fix things! Sweet story. I'm looking forward to learning about the google alerts.
ReplyDeleteChontali Kirk
chontalikirk.blogspot.com
Thank you for visiting Chontali.
ReplyDeleteThat brought a tear to my eye Sharon, a lovely story and what great memories!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for Kylie. As I was only 6 when Nanna died and I didn't see her frequently, we didn't have time to make a lot of memories so it is very special to me to have a physical reminder of an important memory.
DeleteI never heard of a bottle doll before but when I watched the video of the music box,it made me remember our ballerina music box. It was in a little, covered music box and danced just like that. She was wearing a white skirt with little golden polka dots. I wonder what happened to her?
ReplyDeleteGreat memory! I've found photographs on ebay related to places or events. I never looked for objects like that. Good idea.
I have done some research and although I have looked for one for years, they are not very rare. It seems that they were made between 1957 and the late 70s, with a production of up to 60,000 a year.
DeleteIt seems that I paid too much for mine but I don't care. You can't put a price on a memory!
Another wonderful idea. I like that you were more interested in the MEMORY associated with the dancing doll than in the actual doll itself. My sister and I have pendants made from our grandmother's silver pattern -- not her actual silver because that went to my aunt - but it's the same pattern. So even though we didn't inherit the silver, we keep the memory through the necklace.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that you could combine the recent purchase with your grandmother's actual doll
So nice to have objects that transports us to another era. I wonder if young people think the same way about "objects".....
ReplyDelete