bill Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 We stopped to see Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on our recent trip to the Northwest. Jules Charbneau married the owner's daughter and managed the shop for awhile around 1909/10. The shop is still in the same family, quite a feat after more than 100 years. It has changed with time, but they still have many of the items that made them the place to visit on Seattle's docks. I picked up two enlongated or smashed cents for my collection. These became subjects for two more composite images today. The image on the obverse is the shop's mummy, Sylvester, from the Gila Desert in the American Southwest. Sylvester was shot in the 1890s and his body treated with arsenic for some unknown reason. He was exhibited at fairs and Ripley's Believe it or Not Museums until he was purchased by the shop in 1955. The mermaid (and her baby) are another artifact from another time. When was the last time you saw a real mermaid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Neat images and souvenir cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Neat! I was thinking of the YOCS in London when I first saw your post as they've sold lots of souvenir spoons over the years. Did you get lunch at Ivar's by any chance? It's one of my favs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 A Dickens of an Old Curiosity Shop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted June 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 We didn't stop to eat lunch when visiting the shop, we headed out for Idaho right after our visit. We had a great visit with the shop's owners, talked about memories of Jules, the shop, and old Seattle. Great people. And yes, the name was inspired by Dickens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 The shop looks very modern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted June 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 The docks have been rebuilt and the buildings rebuilt on several occasions in the past 100 years. I think this is their fifth location (if I remember right) within a two or three block radius over time. They have a short history online. They were also the subject of a book, 1001 Curious Things: Ye Olde Curiosity Shop and Native American Art, by Kete Duncan, published by the University of Washington Press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hussulo Posted June 15, 2011 Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 Thats cool, I have seen pictures of the "mermaid before" but hadn't heard about the mummified bandit. - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted June 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 Sylvester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCoinCzar Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 What is wrong with me? I have lived in Seattle for eight years now and haven't even heard of this awesome place. I must go for sure and eat at Ivar's. That would make a nice complete day for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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