desktop - Anything In Particular

Small Micronta Desktop LCD Display Digital Alarm Clock and Thermometer 63-9010

Jon Nix — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:41:22 +0000

A small battery-powered Micronta LCD clock which has a few tricks up its err... small sleeves. This relatively uncommon unit dates from the 1980s and is mainly brown plastic with silver tone panels. It measures just 8cm square with a height of 7cm. There is an alarm and snooze function, with options for either 12-hour or 24-hour clock display formats, and a thermometer which provides a temperature reading in either Degrees Celsius or Fahrent units. And it has a small light too to illuminate the display.
We think you'd agree that all is quite a lot crammed into such a small package.

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Large Original 1970s Chrome Desktop Newton’s Cradle aka “Ballrace” – Loncraine Broxton

Jon Nix — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 11:46:59 +0000

A rare opportunity to purchase an original boxed chromed Newton's Cradle. This is the Loncraine Broxton "Ballrace" which made its first appearance in the late 1960s. This one probably dates from the 1970s and is a very good example. Whilst it was originally sold as a kind of novelty item for the executive desktop or the living room, it now has genuine appeal both as a decorative item in itself and as a design piece from its era. In many ways, it might almost be said to be iconic.

This one is in good order cosmetically - just a few signs of age and use and some very minor signs of pitting to the chrome. The box is in good shape too, with minimal wear, considering its age.

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Vintage Chromed Kinetic Balance Novelty Desk Toy – Horse Rider

Jon Nix — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 10:57:00 +0000

A commonplace item back in the 1970s and 1980s, these "executive" novelties have a certain charm to them even now. This one is the "horse rider" variant and rocks back and forth on its podium until it runs out of steam, and is of good weight and construction (unlike some contemporary wannabees).

Measures approximately 11cm (4¼ in.) in length (from back foot to nose), with a height of 7.5 cm (3 in.)
The podium measures approximately 5cm / 2 in. in height with a diameter of 2cm (¾ in.) Has some signs of both age and use but generally in very good condition.

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Vintage Slate Mounted Desktop Perpetual Calendar

Jon Nix — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:52:29 +0000

Almost de rigeur once upon a time - you know, that time before your mobile phone did just about everything. The perpetual calendar is still a very nice desktop accessory and actually rather useful too. This one is mounted on a piece of slate (of course) with green felt underside. The body of the calendar is in black plastic with a textured finish and has a silver tone fascia. It works. It tells you the day, date and month, but only if you remember to change it (perpetually).

Measures approximately 23cm (9 in.) in width (across the front), with a maximum depth of 10cm (4 in.) and a height of 7.5cm (3 in.). It weighs about 750g.

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Vintage “Space Wheel” Kinetic Perpetual Desktop Motion Toy made by Downpace Ltd.

Jon Nix — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 18:53:59 +0000

Very uncommon and very captivating, this is the "Space Wheel", made in Taiwan and sold by Downpace. It's a kinetic, perpetual motion toy which uses the power of a magnetic field to help propel a three-legged "wheel" back and forth across it. On a black plastic base with clear acrylic, the Space Wheel is a simple but elegant piece of desktop distraction. See it working here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkX7vkPIIMa/

This one is complete and boxed with only very minor signs of age and wear, and includes some intriguingly titled and worded "instructions". Assembling the Space Wheel requires no tools or glue - the runners simply slot into the base, a HP7/PP3 battery is inserted on the connectors on the inside of the base, and, with a gentle nudge from one end of the runners, the wheel will find momentum and keep going until removed.

When assembled, the Space Wheel measures approximately 33cm (11 in.) across, with a height of about 7.5cm (3 in.) and depth of 6.5cm (2½ in.).

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1970s Papermate Mouse Novelty Pen Holder – desktop fun and kitsch!

Jon Nix — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 16:39:05 +0000

If this little thing doesn't bring a smile to your face, then, well... sorry. It's a pen holder from Papermate and made in F.R. Germany (that's West Germany to you and I) and dates from the latter part of the 1970s. It's a mouse. And it's on a spring. Which basically means when a pen is taken from or inserted into it, it bounces away in a very cheerful fashion. It's a simple bit of vintage fun for your desk... and an increasingly scarce item to encounter.

In good condition, without original box unfortunately. The mouse's tail does have a slight kink to it, but it's there - often they aren't, so let's be thankful. Pen not included in this sale - and the eagle-eyed might have noticed it's not a Papermate anyway ;)

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“9 in 1 Secretary Aid” desktop accessory made in Hong Kong

Jon Nix — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 11:49:00 +0000

In its original, but slightly worn box, and appearing to be unused (!), this "9 in 1 Secretary Aid" is pure 1970s plastic fantastic and is almost certainly not a "must-have". Housed in suitably brown plastic this desktop accessory comprises of a calendar, a tape dispenser, pen holder, letter rack, world time reference, handy trays for paper clips, business cards and pins, and a memo feeder! That's your nine in one!

In good condition and... it is what it is! Please note, you'll need to provide your own tape, pens, clips, etc.

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“Rocking Fellow” 1970s Chromed Desktop Balancing Kinetic Toy

Jon Nix — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 19:46:36 +0000

As common as flares in the 1970s, figures such as this "Rocking Fellow" were found on many a desk or shelf as a novelty item. This one, most likely made by Mr. Man in Taiwan or Otagiri in Japan, is a balancing figure who rocks back and forth on a chromed podium via his weighted balance bar. The "Rocking Fellow" is one of a series of figures with varying balance and movement poses.

The figure is in good visual condition. The podium has some pitting but is generally good, whilst the box is in reasonable shape bar some surface loss where some ill-advisedly applied tape has been removed.

When assembled measures approximately 13cm high by 13cm wide.

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Vintage Mid-Century Wood Block Desk Perpetual Calendar

Jon Nix — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 19:08:17 +0000

A small Mid-Century (or possibly even earlier) desktop perpetual calendar consisting of an angled wooden base containing two large cubes for the day numerals, two rectangular shapes for the day names, and six smaller rectangles for the months (one on each side). In un-tampered with condition this is a visually appealing decorative but functional item which would grace almost any room in the home.

The lettering on the day and month names shows signs of use but that's all part of its charm - they are legible. The day numerals show less sign of wear and tear. Otherwise, the wood is in good shape, no chips or cracks and nothing more than the evidence of time and use to show on it.

The calendar measures approximately 7cm (2¾ in.) in height and similarly front-to-back. The larger numeral cubes are approximately 3.5cm square (1¼ in. square) for reference.

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Vintage Classic Style Wooden Desk Letter Rack or Desktop Organiser

Jon Nix — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 11:03:11 +0000

A large classically styled wooden desk organiser or letter rack which is of no meagre proportions, the width measuring 39cm (15½ in.), the height 18cm (7 in.) and depth 10.5cm (4 in.), and with three useful compartments for storage of papers etc., each about 2.5cm (1 in.) in depth. It seems to be of a ply construction with possible oak veneer for the surface. It looks the part, with its curved compartment dividers and side pieces - a little bit Art Deco, if we may be so bold, although we cannot age the letter rack with any certainty.

This one has no chips or cracks, however, it does have some ink staining. It's character, we say, but if you want a pristine-looking item then you should give this item a miss. The ink staining is apparent to the right front corner and left hand side panel. We like it, we've made no attempt to remove it. It's a part of this item's history, so whilst we have cleaned and rejuvenated the wood more generally, we are happy to leave it otherwise.

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