Gentle Friends,
Yes, I stumbled. As if in slow motion, I watched my precious set roll off my arm and began its descent to the stair steps. It was with great agony that I witnessed the set bounce off one step and rapidly plummet down three more steps. As the set plunged, I watched the team of horses slowly detach from the coach. I saw figures fly in every direction. With what seemed a deafening roar, I heard metal hitting the steps. The coach itself managed to hit each of the four steps before finally coming to rest. Needless to say, I was temporarily paralyzed with shock! In all of my adult collecting life, I had never dropped a figure! As my paralysis began to wear off, I heard someone shouting curses known only to the most elite intellectuals and to the most drunken sailors! This most unfortunate state of affairs unexpectedly resulted in the……….
Seventh Step:
Sadly, I gathered up the debris that had been my Landau Coach set and I carried it, piece by piece, to my work station. While doing so, I experienced anger at my clumsiness, embarrassment, regret, depression, sadness, and a host of other uncomfortable emotions. My prized set and my beautiful work simply lay in a twisted heap on my table. And, there it was to remain for the next three weeks as I tried to productively process my trauma.
During this three week period, I could not bring myself to look at the set. I considered throwing the set away. I considered boxing it and placing it in storage never to be seen again. I certainly seriously considered never telling anyone of my stupidity and clumsiness. However, I found myself being daily haunted by something my friend, Peter, had shared with me. He had said if a figure is restorable and you make a mistake, you can correct your mistake. It was this haunting statement that lead to my……
Eighth step:
After the three week period had passed, I decided I must examine the twice damaged set to determine if it could be repaired. The pegs on the tongue of the coach were, once again, bent. The wheels on the left side of the coach were bent at angles almost approximating ninety degrees. The rear seat on which the coachmen rest was detached from the coach. Horses’ legs were severely bent. And, there were multiple large paint chips on the coach and the horses.
On a more positive note, somehow the coach lanterns were still attached to the coach. The human figures were intact. The wheels including some spokes were bent but not broken. I studied the damage every evening for several days. I wondered, “Could I possibly repair this set?” Could I make it look as good as it did before the fall?” I was very uncertain regarding the answers to these questions. Not knowing if I had the skills, I concluded I must attempt the repairs.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
I'm glad you decided to try your hand at your own repairs. Be careful thought as you'll find it can be adictive.
