# Got something cool that only true aficionados recognize? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 8, 2015, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091 "2015-02-08T03:27:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/81 "2015-02-17T11:10:31Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I collect old medical books, and also have an Amazon account on which I sell all kinds of things. I found an 1892 book by Dr. Osler at the tail end of a rummage sale, when they were selling things for $5 a box, and found out recently that this book, which is in very poor condition, is worth at least $1,000. Osler: “One finger in the throat and one in the rectum makes a good diagnostician.” I looked up Rhodes piano at Wikipedia, and found a dismissive reference to Roland “digitial pianos”… but I could have sworn that the one I remembered was actually a Roland branded item. One of the things I liked about it was that you could actually play it (quietly) with the power turned off. And the action of course. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/82 "2015-02-17T16:51:07Z")
I have a signed print of the painting of Ned Overend that was done when he won the first UCI mountain bike world championship and was inducted into the mountain bike hall of fame in 1990. In 1992 some friends and I put on a mountain bike race to raise funds for a local scout group. We contacted the artist, contacted Ned, and he agreed to autograph 500 of them that we could sell and use as prizes. I have number 7 of 500. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/83 "2015-02-17T17:23:32Z")
I am a computer nerd and all my computers have [this keyboard](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/IBM_model_M2_for_Sweden_and_Finland.jpg/640px-IBM_model_M2_for_Sweden_and_Finland.jpg). If it has to be explained to you then you won’t understand. Nothing beats the original IBM buckling-spring keyboards. I have another one in the closet just in case. ---
**Author:** ![tsarina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@tsarina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsarina)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/84 "2015-02-18T05:14:42Z")
One of my dearest friends was the equivalent to king of his Mardi Gras krewe and brought me as his date to a few hoity-toity dinners that year. As party favors, I received two one-of-a-kind pins that Mardi Gras collectors would beat down my door for. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/85 "2015-02-18T06:21:42Z")
A couple of dozen Versace vintage neckties. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/86 "2015-02-18T13:52:00Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Every self-respecting science nerd has a copy of the Chemical Rubber Company’s Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Many of them are quite old, from the '50s or '60s, handed down over the generations from teacher to student. I have a copy of the 19th edition, from 1934. I have a first edition of “How to Lie with Statistics” floating around somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/87 "2015-02-21T20:43:54Z")
> [@glee](#): > > In 1969 I wrote to Professor Tolkien. > I got a typed reply with signature. 🆒 > > (Sadly I’ve mislaid it… :smack:) I have (had?) a Muhammad Ali autograph I got when he came into the restaurant in NYC where we were having lunch - I was in college, probably 1982 I’d guess…it’s been years since I seen it…but I guess that’s a topic for another thread… ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/88 "2015-02-21T20:47:49Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Every self-respecting science nerd has a copy of the Chemical Rubber Company’s Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Many of them are quite old, from the '50s or '60s, handed down over the generations from teacher to student. I have a copy of the 19th edition, from 1934. I have the one I bought as a freshman in college - 1980. When I started at the small chemical company where I now work, I was pleased to see the small library contained the founder’s CRC from the 1930’s (don’t remember the exact year.) ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/89 "2015-02-22T03:46:24Z")
I have several postmarked letters that are part of a musher in the Iditarod’s “mandatory” items to finish. They are signed by the biggest names in long distance sled dog racing. Quite cool is you even have a clue of what I am talking about…🙂 And a fully functioning 1931 hoosier cabinet, 99% complete. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/90 "2015-02-23T01:12:59Z")
> [@ThisSpaceForRent](#): > > I have several postmarked letters that are part of a musher in the Iditarod’s “mandatory” items to finish. > > They are signed by the biggest names in long distance sled dog racing. Quite cool is you even have a clue of what I am talking about…🙂 > > And a fully functioning 1931 hoosier cabinet, 99% complete. Iditarod I know. But I haven’t a clue as to what a “hoosier cabinet” is. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/91 "2015-02-23T01:15:58Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > I am a computer nerd and all my computers have [this keyboard](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/IBM_model_M2_for_Sweden_and_Finland.jpg/640px-IBM_model_M2_for_Sweden_and_Finland.jpg). If it has to be explained to you then you won’t understand. Nothing beats the original IBM buckling-spring keyboards. I have another one in the closet just in case. A couple of years ago I invested in a [Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate](http://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-ultimate/), with [Cherry MX Blue](http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Blue) key switches. The keyclick is amazing, guaranteed to annoy everyone around you, and the feel is absolute perfection. On top of that, you get serious geek cred when you show somebody your totally blank keyboard. An unexpected coffee-in-laptop emergency the other day prompted me to go to the main office to get my computer fixed, and they finally gave me a docking station, so my Das Keyboard is back in action after a year hiatus. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/92 "2015-02-23T01:28:09Z")
\*\*Got something cool that only true aficionados recognize? \*\* This summer I’ll be heading to a model rocket competition. It’s the same one that I used to compete in many (many) years ago. There are various competitions - launch an egg the highest and get it back in one piece, glider duration, scale model, etc. One of the competitions is for “classic model”. It has to be an original or reproduction of a model rocket that was in production prior to 1990. I’ll be bringing a Centuri Magnum Jayhawk that is a scale model of the [Raytheon (Beech) KD2B/Q-12/AQM-37](http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-37.html) The kit dates back to the early 1980’s and the build looks pretty nice (if I do say so myself). The kit was only in production for a few years, so those in the know will be very jealous (I hope). ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/93 "2015-02-23T07:54:46Z")
Yup. I have an autographed SNOOKY PRYOR 78. Thanks to a Brit friend that I have never met face-to-face. He sent it to me for a surprise birthday present. Bluesfreaks would recognize. 🆒😃 God bless him. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/94 "2015-02-24T02:48:39Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > I have a bass clarinet with extra low notes on it. So you’ve got a low-C? Very cool. Or is it some crazy custom-built instrument that goes even lower? (Yes, I play bass clarinet.) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/95 "2015-02-24T04:15:28Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > It’s a [Fender Rhodes Mark I](http://www.fenderrhodes.com/models/mark1a.html)electric piano, exactly like the one in the first photo. > > … > > I bought it used over 25 years ago hoping to learn to play it (never did). When you bought it, did the guy throw in the black keys for free? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091/96 "2015-02-24T04:17:43Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > So you’ve got a low-C? Very cool. Or is it some crazy custom-built instrument that goes even lower? (Yes, I play bass clarinet.) Get a band-room! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-something-cool-that-only-true-aficionados-recognize/712091.md?page=4)