Worst DS Memorabilia?

[PennyDreadful]

I just ordered the newest upcoming "memorobilia" - the first series of audio dramas from Big Finish!  I'm really looking forward to these.

[jennifer]

Oh, I wouldn't buy one made of wood, glass maybe, like the original one on the show, but not wood. 

you are right it was glass that is why it was so pretty! my mistake

jennifer

[CastleBee]

Unlike the music box, here's one piece of DS memorabilia that seems to have been re-produced with quality in mind.

Well, either that or it was used as a prop and continued to be produced for practical purposes and not necessarially as the old "Willie Beater". 

I wouldn't mind having one but, I'd rather have a peice of jewelry based on the design.  I'd never smack Willie around with it though.

[BuzzH]

Unlike the music box, here's one piece of DS memorabilia that seems to have been re-produced with quality in mind.

I must say, the wolf-head canes I've seen at Festivals always seem to be of quality, but I'm not aware that they are produced by anyone associated with the show (MPI, DCP, Festival).  I always figured ppl either had them custom made or were just lucky enough to find them in specialty cane shops. 

[CastleBee]

I must say, the wolf-head canes I've seen at Festivals always seem to be of quality, but I'm not aware that they are produced by anyone associated with the show (MPI, DCP, Festival).  I always figured ppl either had them custom made or were just lucky enough to find them in specialty cane shops. 

There may be knock-offs but, I believe the genuine article (and the one JF used) is made in Germany by a company called Alpaca.  Here's one I just Googled...

http://www.fashionablecanes.com/store/117.html

From what I've observed over the years, the $267 price tag is pretty much average.  I've seen them on Ebay for a bit less.  The lowest price I've ever seen was an auction I followed (I'm nosey about such things from time to time) and the end price for a used cane was around $178.

[CyrusL]

I hope this isn't considered runor...
I have  been told (on one of the festival tours to Lyndhurst) that the canes used on the show were purchased at a shop near Carnegie Hall, that actually will custom size them for you. I was told that several were purchased from there throughout the course of the series, and as of that '90s, they were still in business.  I would not be surprised if they are a licensed distributor of the German cane Castelbee is describing.

Michael 

[BuzzH]

There may be knock-offs but, I believe the genuine article (and the one JF used) is made in Germany by a company called Alpaca.  Here's one I just Googled...

They are cool looking, I must say.  But I never understood how Barnabas the Vampire could stand to TOUCH the silver when silver (as in bullets) should have been akin to Cryptonite for him in that condition.  Vampire-lore entusiasts, correct?  Or no?

[Midnite]

But I never understood how Barnabas the Vampire could stand to TOUCH the silver when silver (as in bullets) should have been akin to Cryptonite for him in that condition.  Vampire-lore entusiasts, correct?  Or no?

For some vampires, a silver weapon makes a wound that doesn't heal.  A common repellent is garlic, but not silver.  And of course using a wooden stake is the more traditional method for killing a vampire.

I always believed that Barnabas' silver wolf's head cane was a homage to (or ripoff of) Larry Talbot, who, btw, can be seen holding the cane when he was between transformations.

What I wonder is why a vampire would want to keep such a highly reflective surface close by, but that's me.  

[retzev]

I read somewhere that the Wolf's Head cane (or Dog's Head cane, as it's sometimes called) is a traditional design that's available from a lot of makers, and that if a seller is advertising it as Barnabas's cane or mentioning DS in the advertisement, that they are probably jacking up the price in hopes of cashing in on an unwary fan.

But I dunno, I haven't been able to find one for much less than what they go for on eBay.

[petofi]

The cane has been around for longer than DS (it is made by a fifth-generation German family business)and has been widely available online in recent years.  Prior to that, medical supply companies and specialty shops carried them.  The canes have several varities, the most obvious being the head coming with or without red eyes. I'm not sure, but I think Jonathan used the one without.  The shaft commonly comes in maple or manila, (fashionable Canes offers Madagascar ebony)both stained black.  The one my fiancee bought for my birthday came with a removable rubber tip.  She purchased it online through Unique Canes, and DutchGard and Fashionable Canes also offer them.  Mostly, they cost around 250 - 280 dollars, but can run over 300 dollars. The one on ebay for less than that was second hand, but in good condition.  The metal the head is made of is called alpaca, an alloy of silver and nickel for strength and resistance to tarnish.  They will tarnish and dull a bit with use.


Petofi

[arashi]

I always believed that Barnabas' silver wolf's head cane was a homage to (or ripoff of) Larry Talbot, who, btw, can be seen holding the cane when he was between transformations.

Ah! The Wolfman is my favorite of the Universal Monster movies. The Sideshow Toys figure of Larry came with the infamous wolf's head cane. They also made a figure of Bela the Gypsy! I can't wait to get the Barnabas & Quentin figures and set them along side Larry, Bela, Dracula and Renfield.

[ClaudeNorth]

I remember looking through a cane catalog (it might have been DutchGard) and finding the wolf's head cane.  DS wasn't mentioned by name, but the description read, "Wolf's Head Cane (Yes, this is the one!)," which I found rather amusing.

[Fletcher]

Claude -- I remember the same catalog, and the same cryptic, "yes, this is the one."  And, that's all it took for me to spend two-week's salary (back around 1990) for the cane.  The day it arrived, I had a lump in my throat -- wow, I really had something important and real from DS. 

Today, the cane is near my front door in an umbrella-stand with a few other walking-sticks and umbrellas.   Once in a while, I notice visitors "eye" the cane with some vague recognition.  And a few of the actually comment on it. 

It's one of my favorite DS relic investments -- along with Josette's music box and my "Action Kits International" DS models.

[Midnite]

I remember looking through a cane catalog (it might have been DutchGard) and finding the wolf's head cane.  DS wasn't mentioned by name, but the description read, "Wolf's Head Cane (Yes, this is the one!)," which I found rather amusing.

The DS FAQ confirms that it was DutchGuard.     Then, it was $296.00; http://www.dutchguard.com/p-117.html shows only a $4 price increase since the FAQ was written.  Their online description now says:

Sink your teeth into the lore of this legendary alpacca wolf head cane; a favorite of vampires, movie actors, and those who relish a memorable style. ...

[Angelique Wins]

They are cool looking, I must say.  But I never understood how Barnabas the Vampire could stand to TOUCH the silver when silver (as in bullets) should have been akin to Cryptonite for him in that condition.  Vampire-lore entusiasts, correct?  Or no?

That reminds me of another scene where Barnabas and Julia are in search of Megan's coffin.  Currently a vamp himself, Barnabas asks Julia if she has the tools she needs for "protection."  She turns to him and gives him a big smile, reaches into her purse, and flashes her silver cross at him.  He nods and gives her a smile, as if to say, "Excellent, good job."  And they finished the scene with me sitting there with my mouth open, then doing my 'bots impression.  "Hello?  Excuse me!  Vampire here!"