Ancient History

Ancient History, originally uploaded by sakraft1.

This image is from my original homepage, it dates back to 1996 or is perhaps older.

Napoleon 12 Pounder

Napoleon 12 Pounder, originally uploaded by sakraft1.

Purchase in the gift shop at the National Tower at Gettysburg, PA. The tower was a private attraction that offered amazing views of the surrounding countryside and parts of the battlefield. It was torn down.

This toy Napoleon has a brass barrel and a metal carriage (composition unknown). It is marked MFCO c1/1 on the bottom, which probably means Michael Falk & Co. and then the model number. According to this site they are still being made, but not by Falk. I'm guessing you might be able to find them for sale at battlefield park gift shops in addition to the internet.

I'm pretty sure I also bought a pin of the III Corps, 1st Division badge (a red lozenge) in the same gift shop. III Corps at Gettysburg was commanded by General Dan Sickles. He defied orders and moved III Corps forward of its defensive position creating a salient in the Union line. His troops were badly mauled and Sickles' own leg was blown off (by a cannon if I'm not mistaken). His leg wound up in an Army medical museum and Sickles visited it after the war. Sickles was well connected politically and was able (years later) to get himself awarded a medal of honor. Did anyone say hubris?

Historians debate to this day whether Sickles actions (which cost many lives) may have actually had some benefit at Gettysburg. Some say it may have drawn Confederate troops away from attacking the Union flank (which was attacked and famously repulsed repeated charges). There are other arguments for and against Sickles actions. But it was a good thing there were additional Union Corps to fill in the gap Sickles left.

Business Card: Waterloo Hobbies

Business Card: Waterloo Hobbies, originally uploaded by sakraft1.

This shop sold games. Role playing games, strategy games, miniatures and that sort of thing (and I don't mean video games). Its been out of business for a long time despite the fact that I spent lots of money there. This was a time when you couldn't buy things on the internet. There aren't many stores like this left.

Incidentally, this card is on a magnetic back (my own doing, it didn't come like that), and I discovered there is no danger in scanning a magnet, at least none with a low power one.

Entertainment Center: Kentucky Do-Nothing

Entertainment Center: Kentucky Do-Nothing, originally uploaded by sakraft1.

Back in those days, "Entertainment Center" had nothing to do with your TV or stereo, apparently. I'm pretty sure I got this at EPCOT on my first trip to Disney World when I was six. I guess then they sold stuff that was not branded with Disney logos plastered all over it.

Scott's Room 1988 - 2008

My room was extant from the year 1988 to 2008. Having lived in the house since I was born in 1982, I first came to have my own room in 1988 when the second story was added to the house (the house was built in 1952). In December 2008 I moved to Melville and the room was converted into a nursery for my nephew, Jackson Kraft.

The Crest of Grover

S. A. Kraft's Curiously Strong Cinnamon Golf Pencils

S. A. Kraft's Curiously Strong Cinnamon Golf Pencils
Artificially Flavored Pencils