BS: What does one do with old Trophies

Subject: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: olddude
Date: 01 Jan 14 - 08:37 PM

my basement is full of the dang things, Kids sports, my Karate and shooting ones .. nobody wants the dang things. I even asked the trophy shop and Nope. Plastic and pot metal junk .. landfill I guess can anything be recycled

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jan 14 - 09:25 PM

Dan, I threw the things out forty/thirty/twenty etc years ago. Haven't kept them since. Don't need them, and neither do you.

BM

They don't mean shit!

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Jan 14 - 09:38 PM

They turn up in charity shops pretty often. And they don't accumulate there. I don't know if that's people buying them and creating a fictitious past history of sporting or other triumphs, or if they just get chucked out every now and then.

And of course you get some which are attractive objects in their own right.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: akenaton
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 04:08 AM

The attic!
I've been collecting trophies for greyhound racing, from the nineteen sixties....dozens of them, but I've never had the heart to throw any away, each one takes me back to the dog which won it and the excitement of the occasion.....all the old pals who are no longer with us, good dogs and good doggy men and women.

It's part of your life O. D......keep the faith....let someone else throw it all away....Ake.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 05:26 AM

I am very proud of the only one I have ever won ~~ Best Actor at the Sawston [Cambs] Drama Festival 1977. Still keep it polished on my mantelpiece and wouldn't get rid of it for the world; tho entirely unworried that it will probably go to the tip with a whole lot of other stuff when I die.

Meanwhile, I suggest trying some Collectors' journals or websites. It's amazing what items get collected and have actual monetary value among their collectors, and I shouldn't wonder if you discover a trophy-collectors' circle or network somewhere thru which you could probably raise a reasonable sum for all the ones you have acquired over the years and are now surplus to requirements.

~M~

PS Just googled 'trophy collectors' and got 361,000 results...

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 05:44 AM

I'm a terrible thrower-outer, while my dear husband is a terrible clutch-it-to-his-chest-and never-let-it-go-er. He won a nice little trophy of Player of the Year as striker for our village football team some years ago. You'd think it was the World Cup. I haven't the heart to chuck it out, but it sits there gathering dust and I'm the one who has to flick the duster over it. However, I feel if things mean a lot to people, they should keep them. They represent happy and proud memories after all. I well remember the day my naughty old mum threw out my dad's moth-eaten flying jacket and leather helmet from his RAF War years while he was out at work. He actually cried. We girls were horrified.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 05:52 AM

Some years ago, I ended up on the committee of our (very ancient) local yacht club. They had a strong Junior section at the time - but, whereas they had a fine collection of old trophies for the adults, the junior stock was modern and pretty poor. My (then) mother-in-law had recently moved to live with us bringing, amongst other things, a black sack full of tennis trophies won by her husband in the 1930's! Some of these were good quality silver replicas of quite serious trophies… I persuaded her to present them to the yacht club for use with the juniors! Still in use, as far as I know.

Regards

p.s. At the committee meeting where I announced the offer, the Commodore asked "Would it be appropriate for the Secretary to write and thank Mrs. X?". One of the members glanced up from his notes and said "What he really means is - Does she know they're gone?"!

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 06:42 AM

my wife threw out my precious stuff and seeing it in the window of the local charity shop,I had to go in and buy it all back again!

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 07:20 AM

Photograph them digitally, store the pictures safely on computer media, together with text documents stating when and where won, against whom, under what circumstances, what importance and significance the event had for you, and how you nearly broke your ankle. Such biographical data are of value to "posterity" in your family, even if you consider them no big deal yourself.

Certificates and medals are best scanned. The space they take is negligible, but quickly finding the data and information is the stronghold of computer technology. Distribute the files in your family, e.g. on DVDs in many copies, so that the risk of being lost is minimal.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 09:55 AM

Hi

I have loads of the things through Rugby, Cricket Golf and Bowls.

My wife won one in our Club Competition, beating me on the way!!

I don't have a clue where my trophies are but My Wife's is on display in her "office" where she con crow to friends about beating me!!!

Grrrrrr

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 11:28 AM

I got a Grandfather book for Xmas which I am now expected to fill in for my granddaughter (10 months old) as she grows,telling about my life and what was precious to me.

My old trophies, (rugby, civic appointments, school) I suppose will end up with the book for her. I notice most of my old trophies are still with me but most of my guitars seem to already have disappeared in the general direction of her Dad and her Uncle. Grrrrr.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 07:54 PM

Dump her for a younger one.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: kendall
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 08:10 PM

I don't have that many, but I'd find it hard to throw any of them out.
3 for folk artist of the year, one for songwriter of the year, one for antique car hill climb and of course, the medallion for Grammy award nominee. That would be the last to go.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 08:31 PM

Might the metal and plastic pieces be recyclable?

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 09:11 PM

I divorced my first one, and got a bright shiny new one.

The new one actually takes up a little more space, but doesn't get in the way quite as often since it's mostly off in a corner somewhere, although I can't call either one particularly "low maintenance" items to have around the house.

Dust 'em off occasionally and keep 'em as long as they have some significance for ya.

John

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: olddude
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 09:27 PM

no they have no importance to me. The kids don't want theirs and I don't want mine. Going to dump them

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 09:52 PM

what a shame I don't live next door to you, Dan - I've just bought 2 little plastic party favour "silver cups" for a friend who recently mentioned she'd never won a silver cup in her life. She was entering a competition that does not offer trophies.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to write her name on them - tho as I can't see where I put them, obviously I need to find them first!

sandra (who has also never won a silver cup or any similar trophy)

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 03:06 AM

I still have my first marriage licence and eventual divorce certificate - they are stored in the basement with important papers, like my drivers learner permit and assorted one day course completion certificates.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 07:42 AM

if my father hadn't kept his parents wedding certificate I'd probably have never hunted up my ancestors.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 05:01 PM

Might the metal and plastic pieces be recyclable?

Having been tasked with purchasing trophies for a couple of different kinds of leagues, my observation has been that unless the trophy came with a prize (>$100?) it is rather unlikely that there's any metal in most of them. The plastic usually is "gilded" to look like metal, making it a "mixed plastic" that at least here is NOT recyclable (just as Ziplock bags can't be recycled here for the same reason).

Surprisingly, some of them do have a nice piece of fairly decent wood, often nicely finished, but seldom big enough - and with too many holes in it - to make much of anything with.

Customs may vary elsewhere, of course - and maybe your contest sponsors weren't all as "cheap" as mine.

John

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: Allan C.
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 05:44 PM

This is a wonderfully timely question. My entire abode is so filled with brass or gold or gold-like commemorations of one sort or another. What with "Best Folksinger Ever!" "Epitome Traditionalist" "Premier Vocalist" "Most Astonishingly Wonderful Guitarist" "Mountain Dulcimerist Achievement Award" "The Stand-Up Bassist Society Most Sonorous Award" etc. and there is only limited space on the walls for the various medals and oh, so much more. I barely have room to sit and play the Golden Autoharp I won in a competition. It is a real problem, people! I will continue to read the postings here for as long as I can; but there are more trophies arriving by post daily so as to usurp the space occupied by my computer. What can be done?

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 01:11 AM

Many trophies can be taken apart and reassembled in different configurations. You can make huge trophies out of the parts of many smaller ones. When I was a Cub Scout leader, I made extravagant (and sometimes silly) trophies from old ones, and gave them out as prizes for the Pinewood Derby car races. The kids thought they were terrific.
Or, you can take the trophies apart and throw all the pieces in a box, and let the kids make their own trophies.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 01:33 AM

Too true Allan. No matter what happens to my "everybody in the village gets a trophy from the local pigeon fanciers association" medal, I will always treasure my best stud in bed trophy.

I polish it daily.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: olddude
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 03:57 PM

I think ever parent who ever lived has a basement of kids trophies. Mine I don't know why I kept them so long I guess they were just in a box and forgot them. Trying to clean out my basement that got flooded by a broken sunk pump it is a good time to throw away shit

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: kendall
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 08:06 PM

I have my first drivers license. 1952. No point in throwing that away. I also have my original birth certificate,that's even older. Hell, they are both antiques.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 11:35 PM

From: Sandra in Sydney - PM
Date: 02 Jan 14 - 09:52 PM

... - I've just bought 2 little plastic party favour "silver cups" for a friend who recently mentioned she'd never won a silver cup in her life. She was entering a competition that does not offer trophies.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to write her name on them

The most common method, and actually the one used by many trophy makers, is to use a "vibrating engraver." The "pros" probably use a pantographic tracer machine to guide the engraver and get the letters straight, but you can do a pretty good job just freehand with a little practice.

The only one I could find a good picture of quickly was this Sears Vibrating Engraver, but lots of places should have very similar ones. I found a Dremel ($25.99 US) and a Wen ($22.99 US) both at a nearby hardware store recently (like 4 hours ago).

Most come with a plastic template that you can use to "rub the point around" in the slots, but the templates generally are 1/4 inch or more letter heights. If you need smaller letters, most office supply and craft stores have a wider selection of templates that will work as well, although with tiny letters you get thin lines. (The marks are always smaller than the template looks.)

(Holding a template in place, and getting straight and uniform letter spacing may be more difficult than expected.)

You can also use the engraver "free-hand" to just "write" whatever you want.

Most people use these, if at all, to put their name - and sometimes a SSN or drivers license no - on tools that might "wander" and would be hard to prove were theirs when the absconders are caught. The engravers work best on fairly rigid materials like metal or fairly hard plastic, but can mark even wood (soft stuff) or glass (very hard stuff). (A diamond tip - ~$10.00 US and probably "special order" - is recommended for glass or ceramics if you're doing much of it, but the carbide tips that come with most of the tools will work fine for a few small jobs, even on the kinds of glass/ceramic that can be marked without shattering.)

Practicing some on a similar scrap piece before doing the serious job is recommended, but it's pretty simple once you know what the tool does for you. The most common error is pressing down too hard, which stops the tool from vibrating so that it doesn't make any mark at all. Pressure about like you'd use with a ballpoint pen, or even a little less, is usually about right.

There are some other methods that work well, and in some cases "better(?)" but most of these methods require tools specific to the material you want to mark, and sometimes require handling stuff that stinks or makes sparks and smoke.

John

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: Gurney
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 12:48 AM

Long ago I read about an ace driver, German bloke, who had too many silver trophies to dust. He finally had them melted and cast into a desktop, engraved to record the cups they used to be.
He was a hillclimber, not a formula driver.

Ah, trophies WERE trophies in those days.

Photos for your CV, and then the dump?

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 01:33 AM

No -- sell them. You'd be amazed what some people will give good money for. Again - google =trophy collectors=: you'll be surprised.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 06:57 AM

One "trophy" I received was a combination thermometer/barometer/hygrometer wall plaque inscribed to memorialize my 35 years of service with EAC. I "was retired" shortly after. On the first morning after my last day at work, as I left the bedroom and walked past it, the inscribed plate fell off the thing.

I found that event sufficiently appropriate that I never put the plate back on, although it had been applied with a small piece of "management tape"** that could have been easily replaced.

** mamagement tape = "double sticky" aka "two faced."

John

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 05:44 PM

Hey Dan, excuse me if no one else has suggested this but a local Boys Club or Y or Karate Club might make use of them, especially if you donate a few bucks for engraving.

Subject: RE: BS: What does one do with old Trophies
From: Severn
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 11:48 PM

You can continue to leave them alone, and they'll become old atrophies ......