CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE 12-POUNDER GRAPE

I miss the good old days when a digger could go out any day and stand a good chance of unearthing some really rare relics. Pictured are two of three complete stands of twelve pound grape I dug many years ago atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. They were dumped there by Confederate or Union forces following the surrender of the city. I found many another rare relic of the War during my years of searching the hills around Vicksburg. I even wrote a book about many of my finds that might be interesting reading for anyone considering taking up the hobby. If so, check out "How to Hunt Treasure." The book is available on Amazon, B&N, and many other bookstores, and has been a great seller.

STEIFF MOHAIR JOINTED TEDDY BEAR

This early Steiff Teddy Bear with boot button black eyes belonged to the same family here in Vicksburg since they purchased it sometime around 1900 –1910. He had lost his ear button when I found him, but his long nose, long arms, the big hump on his back, the center seams back and front, all proved his provenance. The 10 inch bear is blond in color; rust-colored floss was used for his nose, mouth and four claws on each foot. Other than a bit of minor soiling and a small spot on one pad, the footpads are like new, without insect damage or wear. There are no loose seams or body holes, not a loose thread anywhere. All five joints are snug, and there are only a few small areas of thinning or lost hair. His growler is non-working. I sold the little fellow to a collector who was thrilled to get him. You just never know what will turn up in the homes here in this old river town.

TINY BOTTLE

Looks like a bottle, right? It is, dug right here in Vicksburg. But it's all of 1" tall. I couldn't figure any way to clean its insides - a pin head would hardly fit through the hole. What in the world would have been sealed in something so small?