The last few weeks a number of Empire items have gone up on eBay by
slowjoeys antiques (Joe). I have spoken to him on the phone and he told me he has the Empire display, which can be seen in Donald Stilson's Empire book that some of us have (photo of that attached to this post). It seems that Donald, Carl, and Art (another fellow mentioned in the book for photos) were near each other and likely friends.
Joe is a older fellow, in his late 70s and is very nice to speak to. I called him to suggest he should likely push the "Carl Pilletteri's Empire Collection" part in his sales. While that is likely shooting myself (and us) in the foot, it seems the right thing to do to give the province of these Empire items. Oh, Joe bought from Carl's son the whole collection... so many other items are on their way to eBay (I assume).Anyways, Joe isn't sure about shipping the display as it is rather large and has its own custom made storage/shipping boxes. Joe is in the Rochester New York area and as much as I think it would be cool to have this display, driving to NY from Texas for Steam engine stuff isn't going to happen for me! Perhaps one of you guys here are interested in it for a local pick up? Just PM me to reach out for his contact number. I did asked him if he was okay that I am posting this and he was thankful. I am not getting anything out of this in return and made the point to Joe I am not looking for anything in return on any sale.
Photo of Page 39 that Joe referred me to of what he has from Carl Pilletteri's Empire Collection. I should be getting some photo's from Joe too.
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My buddy Slowjoey called me up about Carl's B-40. It isn't just the display but the B-40 Engine, though the display is mostly a reproduction. To get it to me, I am not taking the long base and will re-re-created it (somehow). I am okay it being a reproduction as I have the display paperwork that Carl made to go with it.
The B-40 has the mesh around it and some kind of oiler on it - unsure if that came from Empire or it was stuck on it at some point. Though it looks rather old and likely period correct.
Here's some photos!
@txlabman tells me via a message that the oiler isn't original. Though I have to agree with what he told me, it does look pretty good sitting on the engine :-)
Think I'll have to agree with Charlie, that oiler just isn't Empire original. However, it may well have been found desirable for continuous running, rather early on?!?!
If it was used as a means to display Empires in a store, then the mesh
around the B-40 was probably to keep fingers from getting burnt on the
fins while it was running.
@txlabman tells me via a message that the oiler isn't original. Though I have to agree with what he told me, it does look pretty good sitting on the engine :-)
I have seen another B38 with the oil hole threaded for an oiler. If it’s threaded, it likely had the oiler installed from the get-go for extended run times with the display. Like the book says, some had it, but likely most didn’t.
Both my B-38 and B40 have the oiler hole threaded. So I guess some B-38s don't have their oiler hole threaded?
The B-40 engine showed up early this morning on my door step, looks like the box couldn't fit in mailbox out on the street. One box of the display, I expect its the pulleys, is being delivered later today. I'm just waiting for the postman to finish at the street mailboxes.
The Carl's B-40 engine has a new heater, since the back chrome plate is missing. That's a bummer but no big deal but I'll be looking for another B-38 now as that will bother me to no end. What I have done is move my current B-38 heater cylinder to the B-40 base. I also took the time to flip the front plate, the shaft oiler was clocked wrong for whatever reason. It was fun getting all those aluminum rings off but now I can oil it properly.
Here are the pulleys, the platter is still on the way. They are made up of solid brass and heavy as f*ck. Matter of fact the USPS Priority box fell apart as I was removing it from the mailbox! They both have a single ball bearing at the bottom of the shaft and when I spin the middle pulley it spins forever.
I'm thinking perhaps they are repo's that Carl made or had made. If they are repo's they did a pretty darn good job and spent a ton of money on just the raw brass alone.
Both my B-38 and B40 have the oiler hole threaded. So I guess some B-38s don't have their oiler hole threaded?
I have seen quite a few B38 engines without the oiler hole threaded.
I decided to open up the backend that came with the B-40. Very interesting solution to the heater but WTF is that - something from a old stove oven or perhaps space heater???
While I get that the PO did what they needed to, just a shame the back cap is gone. Heck, remaking the heaters in these Empires isn't all that hard - if you have all the original bits that is. Oh well...
Here is come supporting documents that came with the setup that was made by Carl. I do plan to keep this stuff with the B-40. The set missing a few little Engine model badges, which is a bummer. I suppose I could re-recreate them - if I could get the font/color correct.
Perhaps it is just me but I like to keep stuff like this. I can hardly image a collector going as far as Carl did to make the display.
I have been doing a bit of Goggle Book searching, there was the magazine "Playthings" that had great ads for toys. Sadly only a few are fully scanned and searchable in Google Books. However, I did find two different B-40 ads and in color no less! Also putting in a B-30 here too, which shows the early solid fly wheel.
I love stuff like this.
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