PIECES OF EIGHT? NOT QUITE!
In spite of the, usually, limited space aboard boats, we have noticed
that many sailors love to collect things. For some it is models and
half-models of ships or boats. For others scrimshaw. Still others are
fascinated by a particular motif, such as an anchor or compass and will
collect anything bearing that motif.
 
One of the more fascinating mariners we have come across lately is
four-times circumnavigator (three times alone) and
lifelong sailor, Utz Müller-Treu, whom we met in Bequia where his Colin Archer "Frøken"
lies at anchor in Admiralty Bay. He is seen here in a hat of his
own making.
The
first solid silver coin Utz ever handled was given to him amongst his
change in Venezuela, as a young seaman, starting out in the navy.
"I decided to keep this coin for as long as I could..."
Born in 1932, Utz was fifteen years old the first time he went to sea,
for his native Germany, on the largest sailing ship in the fleet and he was tickled at the
thought that the coin was almost as old as himself.
He bound the edge of the coin with a knot we call the Turk's Head, no
mean feat on a such a surface, and still wears it around his neck,
over fifty years later!
To see the close-ups of the coin and the Turk's Head binding, just click on these
individual miniature photographs. 
In
the next issue, we'll take a closer look at that hat Utz is wearing in
the photograph, amongst other
things...
Are you a
collector of anything marine? Or of anything, come to that! We'd love to hear about your collection.
Anyone who deals in collectible artifacts and curios is also welcome to write in and tell
us their story and if there are pictures, so much the better.
E-mail us with requests for information from other readers, or to tell
us about interesting relevant websites you have found - talk to us!
This page could be very interesting - it's up to you!
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