Tag: memorabilia

Their Finest Hour

COLLECTION DAY: SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER from 10am – 4pm

Their Finest Hour is a digital preservation project run by the University of Oxford, and supported by volunteers around the country, which aims to collate as many World War Two stories and artefacts as possible from across the UK.

The project is running a series of Digital Collection Days across the UK, where members of the public can bring war-related memories, photographs, diaries, and any other remnants of the War to be recorded and uploaded to a free-to-access online archive.

As these stories are fast fading from living memory, it is vital that they – and the wartime objects that often accompany them – are preserved for future generations.

The Collection Day will be taking place Saturday 25th November between 10:00-16:00, at Rainy Hall, New College, University of Edinburgh if you are interested in attending.

Sign-ups for the event are not compulsory, but would be appreciated (so that we can gauge numbers) via the following link: https://edin.ac/451MiRy.

Read the room: Rare Birds Books creates a booklover’s wonderland

  • Capital’s first female-centric bookstore
  • Best-selling book club set to launch in the heart of Stockbridge

From Friday 6th August, readers will be invited to visit Rare Birds Shop, located at 13 Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, to immerse themselves in a world of beloved book club favourites, must-have modern classics and the cream of the crop of newly published masterpieces.

From Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Malibu Rising to Torrey Peters’ Detransition, Baby, there will be a story, author and genre for every kind of reader, searching for every kind of world. 

Not only packed with the best stories the shop’s shelves will also see a collection of other must-have gifts and novel memorabilia.

From Rare Birds’ new candles, which are scented to pair perfectly with your current read, and graphic print totes emblazoned with the store’s logo, to small batch chocolate and stationery from women-led businesses, you are certain to come for the stories and stay for the merch.

Rare Birds founder, Rachel Wood, comments: “We’re so thrilled to be opening our first book shop in Edinburgh. We’ve always been deeply interested in women’s writing and we can’t wait to bring what we do online to life in our very own space.

“We dreamed of a really welcoming space where we could showcase a huge variety of women’s writing across all genres and create a space where booklovers could meet and socialise and that’s what I hope the space will be.”   

Shoppers will be able to choose from a range of female authored fiction and non-fiction books, as well as create Rare Birds’ signature personalised bundles, which are made up of 3 personal picks from the store’s world of stories. In the months to come, Rare Birds Book Shop will also be home to a number of in-store events, including author readings, book clubs and intimate shopping evenings. 

The book club you can’t read without, just got better. 

For more information visit https://rarebirdsbookclub.com/

New research reveals most valuable football memorabilia

Football fans could be sitting on a secret treasure trove after a new study named the most valuable collectables of all time.

With English football restarting this Wednesday, new research has identified exactly which football-related keepsakes have the most value in 2020. From classic replica shirts to sticker albums and other football memorabilia, fans could be sitting on a goldmine without knowing it.

New research from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk has identified exactly which football-related keepsakes have the most value in 2020.

Authentic and vintage shirts can sell for hundreds of pounds online, with footie fans eager to spend a small fortune to collect the memorabilia.

A David Beckham Manchester United home strip from their treble-winning 1999 season is worth £199.99.

Sporting memorabilia has always been a popular pastime for Brits to collect and invest in, with retro football shirts being particularly popular. The 1979-80 season Liverpool Home shirt fetches £499 online, and the Arsenal 1991-92 Away shirt worth £425.

The prices of other rare items, including medals, sticker albums and programmes, have also shot up and they can sell for hundreds. The complete Panini France 98 World Cup sticker album is now worth well above its cost price at £200.

A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Football is one of the UK’s favourite sports and with the Premier League season restarting, the whole country will be tuning back in.

“The upcoming matches are to be played behind closed doors, so there’ll be no new programmes to collect, but Brits may have some of the most sought-after programmes from the last few decades hiding in storage.

“FA Cup Final programmes are always high value, as well as programmes that were printed for a player’s, or manager’s, first or last match.

“It’s especially interesting to see which items the public may have hidden at home already. The team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk even have a replica World Cup Brazuca football from the 2014 World Cup in their shed, and we’ve found it to be worth £190.

“It’s no surprise that TV shows like Antiques Road Show and Storage Hunters are popular, because Brits dream of finding something of value in the cellar or attic.”

To see the full study of the most valuable football memorabilia which can make Brits a profit, please visit here.

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh launch Covid-19 collecting drive

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh has launched a new Covid-19 collecting drive with an open call to Edinburgh people to contribute their own items and stories which reflect how life in the city and the city itself has been impacted by the global pandemic and lockdown.

The curatorial team leading on this project are gathering public contributions in order to record and preserve this significant moment in Edinburgh’s history, so it can be chronicled for future generations.

The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown has affected every aspect of the lives of Edinburgh’s residents, and Museums & Galleries Edinburgh are keen to create a contemporary collection which charts these significant changes to everyday life in the city.

The call is for donations of objects and stories which capture the everyday experiences of the people of Edinburgh and the many ways in which they adapted and responded as their lives were transformed by Covid-19.

Items such as a note of an offer of help received by a neighbour, pyjamas worn all day indoors or a rainbow artwork created in support of keyworkers are all welcome. These are of course only suggested items and the call is very much about recording those objects and stories which helped people cope and get through the many challenges and uncertainties presented by the pandemic.

Those who are keen to contribute are asked to email 

anna.macquarrie@edinburgh.gov.uk 

with details and an image if possible on the item or items for potential donation.

Given the current lockdown restrictions, no physical donations will be accepted until venues reopen but the curatorial staff will contact those contributors to make arrangements at an appropriate time.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This is an extraordinary period in our history that in due course we will want to look back on. By collecting objects, photographs and first-hand experiences of citizens now, we’re making sure we can capture this moment for future generations.

Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “Often we look back and wish we could ask previous generations about the historic events they lived through and witnessed – this is our chance to document Edinburgh and Covid-19. The stories and images we capture for this collection will create a valuable insight into 2020 for generations to come.”

Anna MacQuarrie, Curator of History, Museums & Galleries Edinburgh said; “Our social history collections reflect daily life in Edinburgh over some hundreds of years.

“It’s never been more important for us to continue to show changes in the city than during this pandemic. Object donations from Edinburgh residents will help us to preserve experiences of this challenging time for future generations to understand how everyday life in the city changed so much and so suddenly.”

Further details on the project can be found www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk

Junction to benefit from Trainspotting 2 auction

The Junction is one of two local charities to benefit from the proceeds of the Trainspotting 2 auction, which will sell memorabilia from the Trainspotting 2 film. The online auction takes place next month to coincide with the film’s US release. Continue reading Junction to benefit from Trainspotting 2 auction