One of my treasures belonged to the late Lauren Jakey. He was a classical musician, concert violinist, symphony orchestra conductor. We were best friends since we were five. He died in California eleven years ago. I was offered any mementos and I chose to take his orchestra baton. Not the brand new one that was still in it's case, but rather the one he used daily to reherse the orchestra. It is very scarred and nicked from tapping the music stand to make corrections to the orchestra. It reminds me, daily, of the perfectionist he was, and the need to "get it right." CHEERS, Bob