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Post by ltstanfo on Feb 17, 2008 18:42:20 GMT -8
Nemo,
Now that I know what the item is, seeing its present condition and knowing that you already have functional replicas I would like to amend my opinion. I think you should leave the helmet alone or restore it enough ONLY to stabilize or preserve it.
Congratulations on the major find!
Regards, Ltstanfo
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Post by SeaRat on Feb 17, 2008 18:47:53 GMT -8
Nemo,
I agree with Itstanfo totally, and for the same reasons. Keep this helmet as it is. You have ones that can be dived, and this is a treasure from a time gone by. Don't mess with it unless it is deteriorating. Thanks for sharing.
John
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Post by Nemo on Feb 17, 2008 23:13:23 GMT -8
Thanks fellas. Ever since I disclosed what the item is, everybody has been of the same mind: don't restore it; preserve it if anything, but leave it original. The nice thing about old helmets like this is they really don't deteriorate much because it's all brass and copper. Age just makes 'em look better. I really don't want to restore it; which is funny because when I first saw it my immediate thought was to restore it and dive it. But now that I've thought about it, I believe that would be selfish. The helmet has a history that is more important than getting my kicks by diving it. I've come to respect it as a part of Leagues history, and that belongs to the Leaguers. I feel honored that I get to preserve it for posterity. (I still haven't decided whether to oil the leather seals or not. And the sidelights are so covered with the dust of ages, you can't even see through 'em. But am I planning to wash it? Nope!) We've taken a lot of good pics of the helmet as-is, and will use them to tell its story. I've also come up with some replacement parts, but only to give an idea what it once looked like. They will only be sitting on the helmet temporarily for photographic purposes: not fixed permanently to it in any way that could change it at all. It will remain 100% authentic. And in any pictures using those "non-Disney" parts, we will definitely point out the facts so there won't be any confusion. Eventually, the helmet will be on display somewhere, just as it is now; along with framed pictures of it back in 1954, pics of it with the replacement parts, and documentation as to its origin and history. Thank you all for taking the time to offer your advice. I never cease to be amazed at how many of us in the diving community are Leagues fans at heart, even after all these years. VBR, Pat
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Post by duckbill on Feb 18, 2008 1:48:57 GMT -8
Nice find! Now, go polish and fix that baby up and dive it!
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Post by duckbill on Feb 18, 2008 1:53:56 GMT -8
I'm just trying to throw you, Pat. I still vote to leave it as-is. Really, really neat! That is like the holy grail of The Leagues, and I can only guess how excited you must be to have found it. Congratulations!
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Post by sea.explorer on Feb 18, 2008 7:50:31 GMT -8
That is a tremendous find. I think that deciding not to restore a piece like that is an easy decision. Especially with the replicas in in your collection. -Ryan
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Post by Nemo on Feb 18, 2008 8:23:54 GMT -8
William said: "Nice find! Now, go polish and fix that baby up and dive it!" Yes...ahem...now let me see...where did I put the Brasso? William said: "That is like the holy grail of The Leagues, and I can only guess how excited you must be to have found it." You know, it's kinda weird. You sit there and look at the thing, and you get this strange sense of history. Like, "if this thing could talk", ya know? Downright spooky. Ryan said: "That is a tremendous find. I think that deciding not to restore a piece like that is an easy decision. Especially with the replicas in in your collection." Thank you, Ryan. You're right. It's funny how fast I did a 180 on that one. When I first learned of it, all I could think about was fixing it up and dunking it. What was I thinking? I must have had rocks in my head! Fortunately, I snapped out of it and came to my senses, with a little help from my friends. Mahalo guys! It's early monday morning here and I'm headed downstairs to tinker with the submarine. Hope you all have a great day! VBR, Pat
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Post by Nemo on Feb 29, 2008 14:01:57 GMT -8
Well, maybe I DO have rocks in my head. I don't seem to be able to restrain myself. We've also acquired some authentic diving boots from the movie, and I just can't get around the idea of assembling a very authentic Leagues rig and diving it. For now, I think the gear is safe. I'm going to be a good little boy and photograph it copiously while writing out the history behind it. But I'm only human. This is kind of like having Pamela Anderson as a roomate and trying to stay "just friends". VBR, Pat William said: "Nice find! Now, go polish and fix that baby up and dive it!" Yes...ahem...now let me see...where did I put the Brasso? William said: "That is like the holy grail of The Leagues, and I can only guess how excited you must be to have found it." You know, it's kinda weird. You sit there and look at the thing, and you get this strange sense of history. Like, "if this thing could talk", ya know? Downright spooky. Ryan said: "That is a tremendous find. I think that deciding not to restore a piece like that is an easy decision. Especially with the replicas in in your collection." Thank you, Ryan. You're right. It's funny how fast I did a 180 on that one. When I first learned of it, all I could think about was fixing it up and dunking it. What was I thinking? I must have had rocks in my head! Fortunately, I snapped out of it and came to my senses, with a little help from my friends. Mahalo guys! It's early monday morning here and I'm headed downstairs to tinker with the submarine. Hope you all have a great day! VBR, Pat
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Post by swimjim on Feb 29, 2008 17:06:27 GMT -8
This is kind of like having Pamela Anderson as a roomate and trying to stay "just friends"
You forgot to add,"When she is hitting on you"
Jim
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Post by Nemo on Feb 29, 2008 18:41:50 GMT -8
This is kind of like having Pamela Anderson as a roomate and trying to stay "just friends" You forgot to add,"When she is hitting on you" Jim Ha! Yeah right! Like I'd wait for her to make the first move!
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