The one that got away
 

Here is a great story? The seller told me it was given to his grandfather by a South African Bushman in 1924. Too bad the dagger seems more recent than 1880 as the seller claims(1950s most likely) and it's from North Africa. I told him I was not born yesterday :D

Vincent Price ??? Should be High Price ;)

Sorry, but what am I missing here? I collect film props and although not familiar with this film, its 'usual' to show or at least talk about how the piece was used in the film?
Looking at the auction he doesn't seem to connect the object with the film?
was his father prop-master on the film, was it used in the film? Are these just random objects thrown together?
Am I having a senior moment?

You are correct there is no connection between the all the pieces :shrug: :confused: .

I never cease to be amazed at the theatrical fluff used to market items being sold. Without checking resources, I would say this dagger is probably from Cameroon or West African regions, probably not the North African regions implied. I have not seen the movie, but most movies that are based on Poe stories have little to do with the actual stories, using the titles for leverage.

Supposedly, the individual housed in the tower in the story was horrifically maimed by some African tribe......what tribe? where? and how in the world is this some ritual dagger?

I have never thought of Bushmen in Cameroon, nor in North Africa, nor these type daggers as ritual or ceremonial...simply typical accoutrements of daily wear in West African regions..... what would a South African bushman be doing with this dagger? Is this the kind of dagger shown in the movie?

I have little which belonged to my grandparents, but the things I have I would not consider selling regardless of the money I might get. Most of these things have great sentimental value, but monetarily mean little. I can always get a couple of hundred bucks...but the item...never could be replaced.
Just my perspective, not meant to minimize others who chose to dispose of family relics to answer financial needs. We're all there one time or another.

Its just that the old story, ....I just inherited this....gets old.

Best regards,
Jim

Jim

The dagger is Tebu and they are from the Niger/Chad region of Africa.

Vincent Price was a cool actor :cool:

I see the seller changed his description about 5 times or so.
The story got thinner, leaving nothing but some items put together :shrug:

I hope he also has a copy of "The Pit and the Pendulum". I wonder what type of knife he will be selling together with that movie :D :D :D

Thanks very much Lew, as always I very much acknowledge your keen knowledge of these African weapons, and appreciate the gentle correction.
Actually, my initial post was written a bit 'off the cuff' as it were, and I had recalled the swords with these profile pommels worn as arm daggers by the Mandara of Cameroon. These tribes are situated in northern Cameroon near Nigerian borders, which of course are near Chad to the east as well.

Africa is often interesting, and challenging, in the semantics of geographic terms, and my notation to West Africa was with thoughts of the typical references including Nigeria and Cameroon under the West African umbrella.
I thought of Tebu (Toubou), but without referring to notes did not feel confident in that detail without checking.

I must admit I was more compelled by the use of an actual weapon in a movie and researching the accuracy or lack thereof in the weapon seen. This has often been a favorite source for adventures in research, and my wife will often smile as we're watching a movie where a distinct weapon appears, knowing that I will definitely be searching soon after.

"The Oblong box" was one of the string of movies in the 1960's which took the titles of Edgar Allen Poe's works, and sensationalized these films whose plots typically had little to do with the actual tales. It's been a long time since I saw the film, but if I recall correctly, it seems the disfigured noble from unfortunate events in colonial regions was similar in ways to a Sherlock Holmes film (I think Sign of the Four?).
The Poe story had to do with a shipwreck off the American coast, a coffin and other details having nothing to do with the plot in the 1969 movie, if I am not mistaken.

In the movie, the disfigured noble who becomes a killer, after being maimed in some tribal ritual ? in Africa, becomes of course a liability to his brother who has kept him hidden. The brother decides to transport him away from the place and needs to have him appear dead (the oblong box ploy). He entreats the help of an African witch doctor who uses native potions for this.
Here again are my West African inclinations, as the British presence in these
regions was well established, and the profound presence of Vodun, which became voodoo in outside cultures, notably used drug induced catatonic states, or deathlike appearance in 'zombieism'.

Frankly, the 'story' used in the sale description was good, but its 'movie oriented' association has been fun as well.

Here's to Hollywood!!! :)


All the best,
Jim

Babes in nighties and dungeons what more can you ask for. :eek: :cool:

The seller has relisted this item so please can the moderator lock or close this thread.