> I went looking for it. But that's the sort of thing one 
> > easily in your venues than through normal channels.
> You never know; oddball items do turn up.  I found a last rites kit 
> once in a white elephant room.  Bought it and redonated it elsewhere; 
> I purchased it for the 14k gold strips sitting inside it.  Every so 
> often odd bits crawl out of basements or fall out of attics.  I keep 
> my eyes peeled for hallmarked violin bows too. 

Bows make sense, because they're easier to lose track of
than violins. I've had at least one stolen out of my case.
I suspected someone, but there was no proof, and the kid
probably needed the money more than I needed the bow.

A word to the wise, though - some very fine bows aren't
signed. Same with violins, from which another interesting
sidelight. There are very good violins out there that have
had their labels removed and glued into lesser instruments,
because at one point perceived genuineness of label was 
considered a strong implicator of genuineness of fiddle.
The original would be somewhat devalued, but its identity
might have at the time been verifiable by other means -
certificate, reputation, or whatnot, or else the perpetrator
just wanted to keep the original in the family, so resale
value wouldn't be so important. It would have been sort of
like a situation where someone whose ancestry was known
didn't really need a birth certificate, and that document
could be used by someone else. Cloning John Doe, as it were.
 
> > the market to the degree that fake cancellations started happening.
> > A most amusing sidebar.
> I keep my eyes peeled for those too. One rule of collectibles is 
> "Collectibles aren't".  Things made to collect will never be as 
> valuable as the real thing, and the postmark proves said stamps were 
> actually used in the countries printed on them. I've been known to 
> use the other kind for decoupage; it's about all they're worth.

Well, a limited edition of a hundred thousand, what's the 
point? But as long as the population increases, those silly 
Hummels and Swarovskis will still be worth something to
somebody.

> > > Horrors!  Girl germs on the violin!  
> > Worse, girl germs in the design.
> Ack!  Call the doctor!  Call the exterminator!  Girl germs!

There was this backlash in the liberal '60s, which didn't
last long. This went through many professions. High Fidelity
ran an article on women composers, some of whom cited, such as
Fanny Mendelssohn, were first-rate, and others, such as Anne
Danican Philidor, were utter mediocrities. It turned out that 
that particular Anne was a guy anyway, some names being more 
unisex back in those days.

Mostarda di Cremona
categories: condiment
yield: 4 c

4 dried figs, cubed 1/2"
1 unripe pear, peeled, cubed 1/2"
1/2 c dried apricot, cubed 1/2"
1/2 c dried cherries
1/2 c dried apple, 1/4" julienne
1 1/2 c dry red wine
1 c sugar
1/2 c honey
1/2 c prepared mustard
1/4 c mustard seeds, cracked 

Place fruits into a mixing bowl and stir to mix.

Boil wine, sugar. and honey together for 3 to 4 min
or until slightly reduced and syrupy. Remove from 
heat and stir in mustard and seeds.

Pour over fruit and allow to steep 24 hr. 
Jar and refrigerate.

evelynathens at food.com