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Older News & Events ScrapBook . . . Page 16
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Leaf through OHNS ScrapBook... 
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De Zwerver Dossier #2
[ stukken en brokken ]
−by V-Dubya
31 August 2007
The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music Chisels!
    
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A Hot Midsummer Weekend's Gleanings of Recent Nickel Carvings
    
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the ONION America's Finest News Source • June 4, 2003 • Issue 39•21
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“ IN GARY WE TRUST ”
U.S. Mint Employee Disciplined For Putting Own Face On Nickels
This desk calendar's page caught my eye while I was visiting my friend in Anchorage a year ago. It has been floating around in my journal ever since then so I thought it was past time to share it with all y'all.
I found the color picture on the ONION's website. - V-Dubya
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Bill Jameson's Most Recent Carvings
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Translation... “The Hobo File #2 [ bits and pieces ]”
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A blurry flash whizzing by on the railroad tracks
Down the Track: Hobo Handiwork
−by K.J.Longley for The Times of North Little Rock, Arkansas, 9/25/2003
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27 August 2007
An older “SGA” piece for the 2008 OHNS auction
This year I'll be sending in an older “SGA” piece for the 2008 OHNS auction. I don't have much time for nickel carving as of late and am not taking any commissions. This is a railroad spike I did some time ago with simple tools that I am quite fond of which is why I set it aside until now.
The intent was not a masterpiece, but rather something an average craftsman or hobo might have been able to produce. The work was done with chisels and punches. There is crude engraving on three sides and the top, plus there is a carved hobo nickel inlayed in the top done in a traditional style, the nickel is basic and intentionally done that way. ~ Steven G. Adams
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20 August 2007
Royals are right on track
This year's Hobo King married his queen in 2002 and no longer rides the rails:
“If I didn't have her, I'd probably be out there.”
−by Nick Coleman •
StarTribune.com • Minneapolis−St.Paul, Minnesota
Darrel Ray sat in the back yard of his northeast Minneapolis home Friday, using a magnifying glass and the sun to burn four big letters on the cover of a box that holds the memorabilia of his old life.
“K-I-N-G,” he was spelling, the burning smell mixing with the smoke from the campfire he keeps to remind him of the hobo camps he called home for 25 years, doing odd jobs for food, drinking, fighting and roughing it on the rails.
Ray, 46, was known as “Tuck.” But these days, you can call him King Tuck.
Last weekend, Tuck was elected Hobo King at the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa. In winning the crown (made from a Folgers coffee can), Tuck made it a family affair: His wife of five years, Julianna Porrazzo-Ray, 58, better known as “Minneapolis Jewel,” is a three-time winner of Hobo Queen.
Somehow, it seems right that a king and queen be together.
King Tuck rode the rails for 25 years, and he has the Social Security statement to prove it: Between 1976 and 2000, the statement shows, he earned a grand total of $2,943 and, for 18 of those years, there are only zeroes on his record. He got himself elected King on Aug. 11 by reading the following speech, which he had scrawled on a piece of cardboard, and which is printed here in its entirety:
“Howdy, my name is Tuck. My wife, Minneapolis Jewel, said I had to run for king. I rode the rails and lived outside for 25 years. I will continue to honor, cherish and spread the hobo word. After all, I rule the roost. But she rules the rooster.”
It was the joke about his wife ruling the “rooster” that got Tuck the most applause, winning him the title of Hobo King 2007-08, and the red robe and crown, which stay in Britt at the Hobo Museum.
Friday, the King had a denim jacket (bought at a used clothing store for $5) embroidered with his new title. He is the third hobo king from Minneapolis, joining Adman (2004) and Preacher Steve (1999). Jewel was queen in 1986, 1991 and 1997, and also is one of three Minnesotans to win that title, the others being Come On Pat (1996) and Half Track (2005).
Despite the unorthodox lifestyle, the ways of love run familiarly between hoboes.
Tuck met Jewel at the 1994 Hobo Convention. He was still riding the rails and she was still married to someone else, but when she auctioned off a picnic basket filled with her banana bread and homemade jams, he was smitten.
“A farmer bought her basket for $150, which was way out of my league,” Tuck says. “But I still chased her, because I knew that girl could cook.” “When he saw my basket, he said, 'Look at them vittles,'” Jewel recalls. “He was a diamond in the rough. And I knew I'd be married to a king some day.”
The couple married in 2002 and Tuck came indoors, to Jewel's home. Dog Man Tony was best man, and others at the wedding included men named Froot Loop, Tasmanian Devil and Charmin' Harmon.
“He's lived a hard life, but he's still a handsome man,” Jewel says of her king. “He's a hard worker, honest, has a big heart and appreciates things because he never had much. He's a tough old bird, but I knew we could get along.”
Tuck still has rough edges, including a bawdy tattoo (“I tell him to put some pants on that girl,” Jewel says), broken bones in his back that have fused together and a mouth with only two teeth on top. But he has cleaned up a lot, spent three weeks in treatment to help him stop drinking, and taken a factory job.
The King's days riding the rails, he says, are over.
“I don't advise anyone to be a hobo anymore. It's illegal and dangerous, and since 9/11, cops treat you like a terrorist. If it was still like it used to be, I wouldn't have a problem with it, except for my wife. I'd miss her. But if I didn't have her, I'd probably be out there.” “He can go if he wants to,” says Minneapolis Jewel, nodding toward train tracks half a block from their home.
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“I won't stop him.” |
Nick Coleman • ncoleman@startribune.com |
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17 August 2007
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Carol's 9K charm is a “Gobbo”
Antique Show Finds −by Carol Bastable • BoTales • Volume 16 • Issue No. 2 • Summer 2007
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Excerpt: “One most interesting find is a 9k charm that looks exactly like a reverse carved buffalo turned into a hobo. The head and hair look just like the buffalo's head and the hump on the back must be adapted from the buffalo's hump. The little man, measuring one half inch, is well dressed in a top hat and tails. The charm dates between 1900 and the 1930's as determined by the lightweight hollow manufacture and the toning of the gold. If it is of the thirties period, it could signify a once wealthy man now in the midst of a depression with his hat extended for donations.” −by Carol Bastable
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Mike Cirelli tells us that Carol's 9K charm is a “Gobbo”, an Italian good luck icon. A Gobbo is commonly portrayed as being a well dressed hunchback in a suit and top hat and occasionally holding an umbrella, horse shoe, and/or a cornetto.[1] He is also sometimes shown making a “corna”[2] with one hand. It is supposed that if you rub his hump it will bring good luck. The word “gobbo” is often used in Italian as a synonym for hunchback.
[1] The cornetto, cornuto, corno, or cornicello is an Italian Sicilian amulet of ancient origin. Corno means “horn” and cornicello means “little horn” these names refer to a long, gently twisted horn-shaped amulet worn in Italy to protect against the Malocchio “evil eye”.
[2] The corna (Italian for horns, also mano cornuta, horned hand and fare le corna, to make the horns) is a gesture with a vulgar meaning in Mediterranean countries and a variety of meanings and uses in other cultures. Its origins can be traced to Ancient Greece. It is realized by extending the index and little fingers while holding the middle and ring fingers down with the thumb.
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−from Alaska State Museum
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While doing research for this NEWS item I followed a thread that lead from Gobbos to Billikens to Kewpie Dolls to Teddy Bears. Oddly enough Billikens took me North to Alaska which is where I was actually traveling very shortly after I was following that particular research thread but all that is fodder for another time, another day and another NEWS item. ~ V-Dubya
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Special thanks to Don Farnsworth, BoTales Editor, for providing the scan of Carol's 9K charm for this NEWS item.
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Carving Chips.....
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Cliff Kraft felt so bad about cutting the tail off V-Dubya's 30" trophy Walleye...
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...that he insisted on buying a Walleye skin mount. Thanks Cliffy!
 
Now we know what a Walleye with a tail looks like!
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There is an America that has slipped from our ken,
a place of freight trains, shadows and hoboes
Scenery Junkies
−by John Mark Eberhart for the Kansas City Star, March 14, 2004
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Carving Chips.....
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Engraver’s Café Interview with Lee Griffiths
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Hear about the guy who walked into a bar?
You would have thought he would duck.
My longer jokes are better!
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I was first introduced to Lee in the summer of 2004 while taking his scroll design class at GRS. Fortunately for me, our paths have crossed several times since. He is a humble and wonderful man. He won't tell you about the awards he has won or mention his accomplishments, but is always willing to answer questions and help other people to get a little further down the engraving road.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Lee Griffiths. ~ Tira Mitchell ~ www.Engraver.com
Engraver’s Café Interview with Lee Griffiths
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7 August 2007
Gil·lie also Ghil·lie • Scottish • A professional fishing and hunting guide.
Ghillie Eion Fairgrieve
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Yesterday Derek “Degs” Pegnall showed us his recent genius and remarked it put him in mind of an English “Game Keeper” or a Scottish “Gillie”... often spelled as “Ghillie” according to my research.
I had never heard of a Ghillie and when I went looking for a famous Game Keeper or Ghillie in literature, my favorite source for naming the carvings I acquire, none became immediately apparent.
The Ghillie reference that caught my eye most often in my searches is a real live person who
I hope will either never hear of my transgression, or will forgive me if he does, as I've used artistic license and selected his distinctive name for this fine example of the nickel carving art form.
Again... THANKS Degs! ~ V-Dubya
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Translation... “The Hobo File #1 [ bits and pieces ]”
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1 August 2007
OHNS Milestone : 1000th Regular Member Number Assigned !
  
Derek “Degs” Pegnall of Harrogate, England just joined OHNS to become OHNS RM#1000. Degs is a professional engraver and a splendid example of the diversity of the artists who have created “Hobo” nickels over the last century that students of carved nickels have always realized were involved in the genre... although the involvement of multiple international artists seems to be a recent development driven by economics and enabled by the Internet.
The non-numismatic Degs engravings shown here are a Longcase Clock face... in a what we would call a Grandfather Clock on this side of the pond (or at least here in the Midwestern United States anyway) ...owned by Derek's Dad, Derek Pegnall Senior, and a Kawasaki Z900 motorcycle clutch cover. ~ V-Dubya
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I Can Do That!
While I was still in school as a young lad I remember my Dad mentioning he wished he'd trained as an engraver. He has been a semi professional artist most of his life. I ended up working in electronics when I left school but only for a short time.
I saw a local advertisement for an apprentice hand engraver, jewellery trade... hmmmm!!! Had no idea what was involved, but went along for an interview and started a few weeks later. I remember being given a pack of plasters and told I'd need them, I'd probably stab myself several times the first few days. Didn't get a hole in my fingers anywhere, but on leaving for home after the first day I trapped my fingers in the studio door... boy did it hurt.
This started me in my engraving career, been chipping away for around 32 years. Had a break from it for about 12 years until fairly recently, although I have been doing bits and pieces for friends and family etc. I started up again, fulltime, 9 months ago. This was after getting Internet access several years ago and finding the websites of people like Thierry Duguet, Adone T. Pozzobon, Marcus Hunt (already knew of his Father), and Steve Lindsay. I could name tons of engravers work that fired me up again. I then came across Sam Alfano's Engraver's Cafe and saw my first nickel carving and thought, “I can do that!”
It's a different ball game, but I was quite pleased with my first effort and stuck it on Ebay. Now... the UK Ebay doesn't show up on USA Ebay unless you guys in the USA do a world wide search, so... looking back on the experience, someone who will remain nameless, got a bargain. What you say!!!! You can put a reserve price on? I know!!! Lesson learnt. To be fair though, the guy in question has been a rock... support and advice that can't be bought.
Anyway... I'm addicted to carving and am thinking about setting up a Carvers Anonymous website for the new engravers/carvers that come along and need help with this addiction. I'm just working on my 28th fix! It may sound corny, but... thanks to the guys that have supported me by buying my carvings, and to the other carvers that have freely given help and advice; Steve Ellsworth, Bill Jameson, and Steve Cox. Thanks guys!
Most of all... I blame my Dad, cheers Dad...  ~ Degs 
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Carving Chips.....
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Derek Pegnall's Latest Magnum Opus!
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Degs was overheard to remark about “The Great Leveler”... “He's got a nice smile though!” ~ V-Dubya
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31 July 2007
Steps of Carving a Franklin Half Dollar
−by Bill Jameson
     
This is especially for new engravers who have only hand push gravers. The Franklin I'll be carving is a 1958 uncirculated half dollar which I purchased on eBay for $6. Step “A” is the Franklin half dollar before anything is marked or carved. Step “B” is where I make a rough design with a scribe and cut out a little below jaw, step “C” is where I've cut as level as I can “into” the scribed marks. Everything I've done so far can be done with a hand push knife graver and a hand push #36 flat graver. I'll add more pictures tomorrow as we design beard, hair and cloths. Remember this is a project especially for new engravers who have only basic tools. So get a Franklin half and carve it with me and if it turns out nice you can sell it and upgrade your tools. I'll be using my GraverMax to cut hair and beard, but you hand push graver users can cut both with your push gravers.
It is now the next day... and step “D” shows where I've cut hair, beard, cloths and etcetera. I've also cleaned up the field some and added a hatband. Step “E” shows where I cleaned the field up level, stippled the hat, added lines to hatband, added some frown lines in back of eye and sanded field and rough spots on subject. Still looks a little rough, let's sand a little more, let's burnish the lines and curves, sandblast it and age it out, and see what we got. The finished recarved coin, step “F”, looks ready to sell. Let's see some pictures of your recarved Franklins! ~ Bill Jameson
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Carved by Steve Cox
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I've long studied and enjoyed your body of work.
As with all the Masters, you make it look so easy.
Thank you, Bill, for this lesson. I look forward to the next one. ~ Stephen Cox
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26 July 2007
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Captivating Carving
with a
Problematic Provenance
A rare circumstance just occurred... two long time classic carving collectors disagree as to whether this carving is a classic carving or a more recent artwork. Don't ask me... as I have no clue. I just know that I LIKE IT! ~ V-Dubya
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Carving Chips.....
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Old Nicknamed Artists Synopsis Updated
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10 July 2007
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“Winter Alert”... Looking for a Carved Nickel
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“Nickel Carving of Interest”
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These sold on eBay February 23, 2003
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We are looking for the current owner of the designated “Nickel Carving of Interest” shown here on the left. It sold on eBay February 23, 2003 and may, or may not, have been sold in a lot of six carvings as shown here on the right.
Regardless... it is the carving shown in the
upper right position in the group photo.
We suspect that it was carved by the same classic artist that did the two carvings shown here below.
 
1913 “DelFavero” specimen
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1914 “Winter” specimen
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Do any of you have additional examples of carvings done by this classic artist? ~ Ralph Winter, LM-37
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6 July 2007
OHNS Members Certified To Order Medals
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RM-888 Ronald Basar ... IL ... 2007
RM-868 John J. Beccatelli ... PA ... 2007
RM-738 James R. Bell ... PA ... 2009
RM-773 John Belmonte, Jr. ... NY ... 2007
RM-751 Stephen T. Benko ... NJ ... 2007
RM-897 George R. Boster ... KS ... 2008
RM-879 Michael G. Branham ... KY ... 2007
RM-725 Stephen Campbell Sr. ... CA ... 2007
RM-933 Ramon J. Castro ... AR ... 2009
JM-878 Michael A. Cirelli ... PA ... 2007
RM-971 Gordon Clyott ... GA ... 2009
RM-928 John S. Coe ... CA ... 2008
RM-918 Stephen Cox ... NV ... 2008
RM-647 Denny Donnell, Jr. ... MO ... 2006
RM-876 Richard C. Edwards ... FL ... 2009
LM-50 Dan Engravalle ... NJ ... LIFE
RM-853 Glendo/GRS Corp. ... KS ... 2008
RM-856 Kermit Goda ... PA ... 2007
RM-800 Theo A. Gould, II ... CO ... 2006
RM-895 Jerome T. Graczyk ... WI ... 2009
LM-51 Glen Graves ... TX ... LIFE
RM-947 Gary G. Gunderson ... IL ... 2009
RM-834 David Gursky ... CA ... 2008
LM-52 Emmett J. Haralson, Jr. ... PA ... LIFE
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RM-808 Robert C. Harris ... SC ... 2009
RM-934 Steven O. Hartleben ... WI ... 2009
RM-880 John Heller ... NJ ... 2007
RM-973 John R. Hench, II ... NC ... 2009
RM-768 Jeff P. Hinz ... MT ... 2007
RM-778 Robert Horvath ... CA ... 2007
RM-871 Ronald L. Huffman ... VA ... 2007
RM-984 Edwin Johnston ... TX ... 2009
RM-757 David E. Jones ... OH ... 2007
RM-805 Rick L. Judd ... SC ... 2006
RM-780 James Y. Kwei ... NY ... 2006
RM-836 Phillip D. Lanmon ... KY ... 2007
RM-875 Boyd E. LaRue, Jr. ... IA ... 2007
RM-765 Kurt Laubinger ... OH ... 2009
RM-889 MamaJo LeCount ... MO ... 2008
JM-781 Jason Luski ... NY ... 2007
RM-739 W. R. Maines ... IN ... 2007
RM-775 Thomas S. Maione ... NJ ... 2007
RM-907 J. Robert McDermott ... TX ... 2008
RM-814 Domenic A. Meltio ... MA ... 2007
RM-929 Russel Vander Meulen ... IA ... 2008
RM-963 D. Wimberly Mixon ... SC ... 2009
RM-877 Charles Moore ... KY ... 2007
RM-900 James A. Olivencia ... OH ... 2010
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RM-865 Larry D. Patterson ... IN ... 2009
RM-996 David A. Perkins ... CA ... 2011
RM-832 Jalaine K. Poirier ... FL ... 2007
RM-997 Alex Ptak ... PA ... 2009
RM-764 Lawrence J. Pung ... MI ... 2008
RM-940 Debbie Rexing ... TX ... 2009
RM-824 Ira Rezak ... NY ... 2008
RM-874 Donald E. Seekford, Sr. ... MD ... 2008
RM-788 Robert W. Shamey ... PA ... 2009
RM-898 A. J. Smith ... VT ... 2008
RM-848 Warren L. Stabler ... NJ ... 2007
RM-794 Steven R. Statland ... NC ... 2007
RM-866 Arol Steverson ... OK ... 2008
JM-960 Adam Taylor ... NC ... 2009
RM-820 Charlie Thomas ... IN ... 2006
RM-758 Robert A. Walker, Jr. ... VA ... 2007
RM-967 Jerry W. Walton ... AR ... 2011
RM-861 Craig Warren ... MO ... 2008
RM-785 Robert J. Wojtas ... IL ... 2007
RM-981 Donal L. Wolfe ... CA ... 2009
RM-850 Robert P. Wollert ... NJ ... 2007
RM-961 Max M. Zalkon ... FL ... 2009
20xx ~ Copper LIFE ~ Silver
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If you are on this list then you are qualified to purchase a membership medal from “Striker Token and Medal” at... 888-688-3330.
STM mentioned the possibility of having engraving done on these medals for a small fee so ask them about that if you are interested.
Contact V-Dubya
if you have any questions about your membership status certification. ~ Thanks- Rollie
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Regular Member • Copper $20
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This listing provides Membership status certification for placing STM order at 888-688-3330
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Carving Chips.....
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The YV330 ~ 2007 PLA 4th of July BBQ ~ Mixed Freight
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The YV330 was invited to be a part of the Pacific Locomotive Association (PLA) annual 4th of July BBQ and train spectacular.
It was decided to run it as mixed freight, representing an era of contraction for shortlines in the United States brought on by the Depression. In order for many railroads to survive on dwindling freight and passenger revenues, passenger and freight trains were consolidated into one train, typically run three times a week as a further cost savings. The trains meandered along in no great hurry, with frequent switching delays to spot cars at industries along the line and station stops for any passengers arriving at their destination. One funny story about mixed freight operation centered around an advanced pregnancy woman who became exasperated with the delays. She sought out the conductor and explained her condition and the urgency of expedited arrival at her destination. The conductor exclaimed “Why did you board the train while you were pregnant?” Her witty reply, “I wasn't pregnant when I got on board.”
Despite delays, mixed freight trains were a delight to railfans, who enjoyed watching switching operations. In the attached photo, Robert Dollar #3 heads up the mixed freight of a Flying A tank car, a Sierra hopper (identical to those used on the YV), a Sacramento Northern boxcar, Yosemite Valley Railway Post Office #107, and finally the YV330. If was a hot day, and we finally got to use the clever window stops Jack made to enjoy cool breezes on the YV330. Brakeman Doug Vanderlee boards the YV330, on deck passengers Gerda Jaworski, Bronia Buca and Claudia enjoy the view from the rear deck. The YV330 had another first on this trip; it is sitting on the South leg of the wye, new trackage for the YV330.
The YV330 will be in operation this coming Sunday, as well as the first two Sundays in August and September. Anyone seeking tickets to ride can contact the agent Al McCracken at 408-249-2953. The steam train is an extra train with two round trips, make sure you ask for that train when talking to Al. Adult tickets are $10, seniors $8, kids 3-12 are $5 and two and under go free. If Chevy Chase was to take his family on an early “Vacation” movie, he'd only be out $30.
Work will restart on the YV330 in Mid-July, with the proviso that the car has to be ready for scheduled operations (a great problem to have!) We will work on getting our brake system toned down. Currently, if the engineer sneezes our brakes set up. We actually need to reduce the braking force. As always, the more volunteers, the quicker the progress. ~ Wes Swift ~ 7/5/2007
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A flotilla of five peculiar looking
homemade boats mysteriously appeared
on the stretch of the Mississippi River.
The Real Grand Excursion
−by Mike Mosedale for the Twin Cities' City Pages, 8/11/2004
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