4. This Week's Stories and Requests for Help

We try to post stories and comments from our readers each week. Send your
story to newsletter@tias.com and we'll publish it in an upcoming newsletter. 
Please share your story about what you collect and what got you started
collecting.  We *love* to hear your stories!  If you have a story you'd like
to share, tell us about it and if you have any photos, we'd love to see them! 
Send us an email to newsletter@tias.com so we can share your story with the
rest of our readers.

Remember that you can check out our Facebook page for some interesting
updates.  Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/TIASAntiques
If you have photos of items you would like to share you can post them there as
well.  You don't need a Facebook account to visit our page. If you do have a
facebook account please "Like" us!

Also, everyday, we post a "This Date In History" story on our Facebook page,
along with an item for sale on http://www.tias.com that relates to the event. 
We're also highlighting one item each day that we find particularly
interesting - something that's very unusual!  Check it out!

Thanks to those of you who have responded in the past! We really enjoy, and
appreciate, the feedback!

It's always fun to see what other people own and treasure! Although we can't
put the pictures in this newsletter, please visit our Facebook page to view
the images and learn about those items.  Please let us know if you'd like us
to highlight one of your favorite collectibles!

Here's an interesting email from someone who is searching for his
grandfather's Hackney Carriage Chauffeur Badge issued in 1919:

"Hi! I am searching for my Grandfather's Hackney Carriage Chauffeur Badge #
2377 issued to him in 1919 by the Commissioner of the Boston Police Dept.. 
Since I began my search a couple of years ago, I have developed a need to find
out any and all things related to the horse and wagon transportation days of
old Boston.  I have bought a few Boston Chauffeur badges and have connected
with several people (on-line) who have given me info., leads, etc., and a lot
of moral support in my search.  My Grandfather, James E.  Magee, was one of
the old Boston Irish.  He was the owner/chauffeur of a horse and buggy livery
service from approx.  1918 to 1930.  Automobiles quickly became the preferred
mode of city travel.  The Stock Market Crash of 1929 sure didn't help things
either!  I've been searching for his badge with the hopes of presenting it to
my Mother, who is 94 and the last living of 14 kids!  I enjoy looking at the
vintage photo collections at various web sites.  I thought I'd share my int
erest and hopefully get the word oout to more people of my search.  Any leads
or info.  would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks and happy collecting!!!  Jim
R, Jr.  Wakefield, MA"

Jim also sent the image found here: http://on.fb.me/1CAKRb5, with a note: "I
scanned three badges to give you an idea of what the badges look like.  I'm
pretty sure that #2377 will be the same as the larger two badges in the pic. 
These were from about the same time frame and both have four-digit numbers."
--
We received these pictures (http://on.fb.me/1AeIf1y) of a folding hatchet from
one of our readers.  Can you help with any information about this item?

"I found this item with a metal detector about 40 years ago. Markings on it
read "The Porto Axe Co., Hornell, NY US PAT 1795227".  Can you direct me to
any historical information on it?  The only info I can discover on the web is
the original patent application.  Thanks for any help you can offer.  Pat S."
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--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Dada-2
 * Origin: Prism bbs (1:261/38)