Folklore: Interesting eBay item

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: open mike
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 10:25 PM

edprogs??

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: GUEST,spongebobby
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 09:03 PM

how about this for a strange ebay item?

interesting item, eh?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:31 PM

It sold today, but you can still visit the link for a while.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 08:58 PM

Thanks for the update on the commentary!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 06:35 PM

For the Permanent record... :-)

Question & Answer Answered On

Q: who is hazel? Is this a new development?
10-Feb-06
A: She's our crumhorn player

Q: Would you be prepared to extend the bidding dealine as The Wild Hunt Bedlam Morris would very much like to add this stick to our own collection of used Morris items but we have unfortunately spent all our funds on beer and would need time to raise the capital in order to bid.
10-Feb-06
A: We would consider instalments at 10% per day interest.

Q: Is this stick suitable for use as a mast for a catamaran i am building? If the stick breaks when im sailing can i have a refund?
10-Feb-06
A: More suitable for a Kittenamaran

Q: Thank you for your clarification regarding the Oslo connection, and the DNA therein. Would I therefore infer that there may be other Nordic DNA present? If succesful in my bid, would the seller accept a pint of Old Peculiar at the local hostelry of his (or her?) choosing?
10-Feb-06
A: It has often been suggested but never proved that other Nordic DNA may be present - any beer acceptable as long as it's not Gr@@@e K@@g IPA

Q: As an (anachronistic) American Morris Dancer I have an urge to gain control of your stick. The reason is of course that there are no, or very very few, sticks in America that are, in fact, English. Therefore I have several questions, to whit: 1) Is an apology in order due to my previous assertion referring to possesion of the stick, and 2) If the stick were to come to America, would it feel as bad as we do under the current American Legislative Administration? Thankyou for your attention, XX (I've drawn enough attention to myself already)
10-Feb-06
A: Almost certainly

Q: If sharpened to a point, would this stick be suitable for polishing off a vampire? Thank you.
10-Feb-06
A: Unfortunately not - apparently hazel does not posess Vampire killing properties

Q: I will see your broken stick and raise you a broken rock. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6247104447
10-Feb-06
A: We gave up using rocks - sparks caused by vigorous dances caused hats to be set alight

Q: I'm looking for a stick capable of use in the Suffolk dance known as STEAMBOAT, which I know well. Can you assure me that it knows the dance better than Trevor Newsome, or indeed any other Morris Men of Little Egypt?
09-Feb-06
A: If it knew Steamboat as well as it should it would not have ended up in its present parlous state. A bad morris dancer always blames his stick.

Q: Does the stick come with a warranty? If so, is there also an option for an extended warranty?
09-Feb-06
A: Yes, the warranty guarantees that the stick is broken. Any extension would depend on the ability of the dancer to perform extreme thrusts whilst executing the perfect reverse caper.

Q: The buyer for which I am acting as broker asks: Has this stick ever been used abroard? Were there any problems with customs? Would it be suitable for use by a female morrise danseuse? Is it possible to guarante that it is cleansed of any traces of the Dave Jukes DNA referred to in a previous answer?
09-Feb-06
A: Your buyer can rest assured that the stick is licensed for worldwide dancing. Any use by a female danseuse should have been logged in the risk assessment file and there is no record of such in this case. Cleansing of Sir Dave Amundsen Jukes DNA traces would incur an additional fee of 1million krone.

Q: Hmm.. are you sure this is true 'in action' damage? Looks more like some bloke's squashed it with a well placed boot. It alters it's value quite a bit if it's been faked.
09-Feb-06
A: Absolutely genuine dancing damage. Would you doubt the word of a Morris Man???????

Q: If we were the winning bidder could we collect in person... thus saving on the exorbitant postal costs listed?
09-Feb-06
A: Unfortunately not. The stick is at present convalescing in a private clinic in Switzerland and will be dispatched from there.

Q: I am interested in this stick, having acquired numerous similar artefacts over the last year. One particular item I am seeking is a stick reputed to have been used by a Norwegian, a Sir David Jukes I believe? Is it possible that this stick is graced with his DNA? This would enahnce my bid ceiling, so to speak. Thanking you.
09-Feb-06
A: You refer of course to our intrepid explorer who has dedicated his life to entering forbidden parts in his home country, including Trondheim, Lillehammer and particularly Oslo. His DNA is guaranteed to be present on this stick.

Q: Forgive me, but this stick seems rather puny and ill-used. Will we expect to see any healthy, robust, full-length sticks entering the market from the environs of Little Egypt anytime soon?
09-Feb-06
A: No

Q: Would you be willing to throw in a tube of plastic wood? I think it's saveable!
09-Feb-06
A: It'll need more than one tube

Q: Is it legal to use this stick across the pond? All our sticks only come from the states!
09-Feb-06
A: Depends what you want to use it for...

Q: If we sawed off the split part of the stick, does enough stick remain for short stick dances?
09-Feb-06
A: It might serve for Fanny Frail on a very cold day

Q: Agen!!!: Welch tonart ist die sticken: C/F, G/C, D/G?
09-Feb-06
A: Ein englischer Stock sein es ist in d/g natürlich

Q: If I used it to beat my dog, would you mind?
09-Feb-06
A: If you can run faster than your dog while carrying the stick that's fine by me

Q: Welch tonart ist der sticken?
09-Feb-06
A: Regrettably my Esperanto is a little rusty...

Q: Can you assure me this is the genuine article as i believe several cheap imports from Japan are being imported. Also has it any manufacturers marks for authentication?
08-Feb-06
A: Unfortunately the Guild of Suffolk Foresters Quality Assured Kitemark (GOSFQAK) was obliterated in the carnage

Q: Any woodworm?
08-Feb-06
A: Any woodworm attempting to build a home would have been sent flying into the audience during vigorous danciing, so no.

Q: Have you provenence for this seemingly delightful item, or must it (in anticipation of future and hopefully inflationary submissions to auction in the round) be regarded as an orphan pedicle of no particular intrinsic artistic value? Obliged, m
08-Feb-06
A: In truth its artistic merit is entirely dependent on the skill of the dancer wielding it. On its own it is merely .........a stick. Albeit much loved.

Q: We buy quite a few sticks like the one you show and have to admit losing quite a few to unscrupulous members of the morris fraternity - in fact 'Interpole' keeps their eye on this very serious situation for us. So, how do I know that this is in fact your stick to sell - would you be able to supply a believable provenance?
08-Feb-06
A: DNA testing would show that only Little Egypt Morris Men have handled this stick

Q: I am told that these are quite rare and that like money, they don't grow on trees. Where do Morris sticks come from?
08-Feb-06
A: Other Morris sides

Q: I notice that this is a single stick. Does it have any fellow sticks to go with it or do we have to provide our own friendship sticks to go with the broken one?
08-Feb-06
A: Sadly it is now a single stick. Its fellows have shunned it as unworthy of public appearance and its lack of private health insurance rules out cosmetic reconstitution. A friendship stick would cettainly perk up the little chap.

Q: I have an identical stick in the boot of my car - do you think we'd get more if we sold them as a pair? Steve (Squire, The Traditional Ilmington Morris Men)
08-Feb-06
A: Probably not - we'd be accused of making these sticks two-a-penny.

Q: Is it possible to have a look at your stick before we buy?
08-Feb-06
A: Cheeky!

Q: The finish looks quite smooth in your picture - has this been de-barked in the traditional 'Suffolke Stylee' or is just worn out?
08-Feb-06
A: Simply worn through frequent use - particularly during Fanny Frail.

Q: Is this stick from a renewable source and furthermore would you offer postal insurance? I am a bit concerned that you've only shown the front view - could you let me know if there's any damage on the back? I am told that sticks from the area of Suffolk that you mention can be quite unreliable - would you give a full refund if not completely satisfied?
08-Feb-06
A: The stick certainly comes from a renewable source - coppiced Suffolk hazel. I can confirm all round damage so no refund needed.

Q: I wonder if the stick broke due to the excessive consumption of Abbot Ale? If I were to give the stick a retirement home here in the East with Barley Brigg would it thrive on the local Adnams?
08-Feb-06
A: It certainly would - this little chap was weaned on Adnams on many visits to Southwold

Q: I have been informed that Morris Sticks are reputed to bring luck to their owners. Do you have any idea as to how much luck is left in this model? If so, what sort of luck? Last time I got a morris stick it hurt my dog as it hit him on the head when I threw it for him and my girlfriend got pregnant (that might have been after wearing a morris man's hat though).
07-Feb-06
A: Well, this one brought us luck - when it was broken the other weekend the landlord was so upset he stood a round for each Morris Man.

Q: It is indeed a fine stick, but does it come with a carrying bag? PS Ironmen also have some used clog rubbers and faded fresh flowers for sale
07-Feb-06
A: No carrying bag - but it will be delivered in a natty cardboard tube about the same diameter as a whisky bottle....

Q: wat sise battries does it take i want to convert it to a litesabre
07-Feb-06
A: It's an ale powered model I'm afraid

Q: Q. Is it a right handed or Left handed Stick
07-Feb-06
A: This is one of the rare dual purpose sticks - or at least it was until the left hand end got split

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Kaleea
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 02:27 PM

Does the seller have any pics of the stick dancing to prove that is a dancing stick?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 02:22 PM

Last year there was an interesting Dryer Lint sale at eBay.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 11:16 AM

Looks like it's been chewed by a cow. Dang, I kin git all sorts of cow-chewed sticks out on Ken's Bar-B spread.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 11:04 AM

It's too green for the fire, too thick to toast a marshmallow on, and too short for a walking stick. However, it would be nice to buy it so I could save shipping costs by going to Switzerland to pick it up. (It's in a clinic there right now.) Say four months from now.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 10:18 AM

Some one is willing to pay £2.20 + £2p&p!!!!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Dead Horse
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 05:12 AM

Could it therefore be turned into clothes pegs?
Full marks to Little Egypt for re-cycling efforts.
On that note, I have a collection of odd bells, some slightly stomped on, and a few odd plastic flower heads garnered from the streets of Rochester during Sweeps Festival.
I never realised the potential of e-bay for passing these valuable articles on.
Thanks Egyptians.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 04:16 AM

Liitle Egypt is Glemsford in Suffolk, Uk. Apparently it was so called after the numbers of gypsies who would camp nearby.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: SussexCarole
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 05:52 PM

Could possibly be a good Xmas prezzie for someone...........

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Crane Driver
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 05:31 PM

That's a valuable item, that!

Sticks don't grow on trees, you know.

Errr . . . let me think about that one a bit more.

Morris dancers do NOT drag their knuckles - well, not those that hope to HAVE knuckles for very long.

Actually, most Morris dancers don't have knuckles anyway, on account of hitting them with sticks.

Andrew

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 04:21 PM

Read the Questions to the Seller. Someone's having fun. We should invite them all here.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 03:46 PM

LITTLE EGYPT is the name for the portion of Southern Illinois in the USA where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers converge at the town of Cairo, IL. I understand, therefore, the steamboat reference; that seems on the up-and-up. BUT I really doubt if Morris Dancing, with what Stan Rogers called, "It's lumbering knuckle-dragging Neanderthal beat!!", would ever have made an appearance anywhere near that part of the USA. The denizens down there know better !!!

Art

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 03:46 PM

903 potential bidders have viewed this item! And it doesn't even have a serial number. How do we know it's the real thing?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Beer
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 03:42 PM

Yep, This is a good one alright. Seems to me I burned a few of them valualbe items last spring clean up.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Anonny Mouse
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 03:38 PM

Yeah, right. I'll be in line for THAT one. Gimme a break.

Subject: Folklore: Interesting Ebay item
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 03:32 PM

I reckon this is a really interesting item and well worth a bid or two.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5662970037

Get bidding!!

Dave