Part of getting old seems to be seeing the things you love become extinct. Tea cups and saucers, clocks, books, hand sewing and embroidery, hand written letters, postcards, birthday cards, silver sets, so many things disappearing or becoming unwanted by the younger generations as they come along with new technology.
But, I notice the old things I love still last longer than the new things coming along. Maybe not in purpose but in strength and durability. New technology is made to break and be replaced. Can it be loved like the old things when it isn't made to last? I don't think there is enough time before a new one is needed and the old hits the landfill.
Galleries and a virtual tour. The museum is located in Deep River, Ontario, if you want to make a road trip and visit them.
"Showcasing the heritage of Canada's many clock manufacturers and sellers from the early 1800s to the present time.
See and hear more than just clocks, because we have lots of period artifacts, including some really old record players that work without electricity! Hear century-old Edison cylinder records on a 1920 floor model player. Be amazed by the incredible sound from our 1927 Victor top-of-the-line CREDENZA Victrola floor model 78s records player that was sold in Ottawa and cost the same as a Ford car back then!"
Horological - means of or relating to devices or sciences of measuring time.
This is a UK based society. I'd like to find something here, in Canada, or even closer in Ontario.
"...to advance the education of the general public in the history and development of hand tools and their use and of the people and trades that use them".
A group for collectors, dealers, and auction houses to further knowledge about antique and modern silver.
This group looks like it needs more members to get it active again. If you found this post while looking for information about siler, in Canada, contact the Society, even just to say hello.
Meanwhile, I have my Great Aunt Alice's tea set really needing a polish. (My Mother's Mother's Sister, Alice).
I don't collect silver, intentionally. It can be beautiful, but it does need maintenance. Not a chore to do but after using the chemicals to shine it I'm not so sure about actually using the tea set. Besides I'm not a tea drinker unless tea is one of few alternatives.
Polishing silver is easier than you might think. You don't need to buy silver polish or rub and rub and rub. Baking soda, boiling water and aluminum foil will get the job done.
Use a deep pan, deep enough for all the silver you want to polish to fit in the pan and be covered by water. Don't overload the pan. Too much silver to be cleaned at once will give you little result.
Cover the pan with silver foil (aluminum foil). You need the silver, shiny side facing out. In the bottom of the pan pour baking soda. I have even used older baking soda which had been open in the fridge for awhile. I used more of it but I was going to throw out the whole box so this was another way to recycle it and give it one more use.
You need at least two tablespoons of baking soda. More for a bigger pan or a larger load of silver. Don't worry about using too much baking soda - but make sure you spread it around over the whole bottom.
Boil water - you need enough to cover all the silver you want to clean. Load the silver into the pan. Let it make contact with the baking soda and the silver foil. If your pan looks cluttered, hold back and split it into two lots. It's worth only cleaning just a few at a time and having to do it over again rather than trying to get it all done at once.
The cleaning really happens in that first second when contact occurs as you pour in the bolling water. Always pour the boiling water in last and have enough to cover all the silver you are cleaning.
Have a cloth handy to dry the silver. Don't wait for the water to cool down. If you give it a wipe off you won't get spots from leaving the water to dry itself. The work is really done in the first minute. Rinse the silver in clean water to make sure all the baking soda is washed off.
If you did not get GREAT results try it again with just one piece of silver and a fresh package of baking soda or use more baking soda and make sure your water is still boiling when you pour it over. Or, I have had better results using a thicker silver foil paper versus the cheap, thin stuff you can buy in the dollar stores.
Always cover your pan with the aluminum foil This will save you from having to clean it afterwards. The tarnish will be on the foil which you can throw away.
Last note, there is a smell from this process. It will smell strongly of sulfur. Open a window or run a fan if you are sensitive to it.
Tea Service Presented to John Leeming, 1851.
Source: National Gallery of Canada
Tea Service Presented to John Leeming, 1851.
Source: National Gallery of Canada