Visit to a collector of old and odd treasures
Morris still on hunt since starting as teenage beach scourer
Do you remember coins with wagons on the back? While visiting Simon Morris and being shown around his fascinating collection of “old” things in Westbourne, he showed me a different sort of cupboard with very narrow drawers that hold old coins.
Inside were the copper coins with wagons on the back.
Morris talked about how as a teenager in East London he used to walk the beaches with his metal detector, finding all sorts of “treasures” buried in the sand, such as jewellery, rings, watches, knives and so on.
Some he has kept, others he had valued and then sold.
He also has a two-handed crosscut saw, among a collection of wagon wheels and milk cans.
From those early beginnings of scouring beaches, Morris continued to collect things from bygone years.
Over the years, more and more people have got to hear about his interest in old things, and bring him all sorts of things they have found.
He also has an intriguing collection of old locks and he pointed out a large ”goldy” one in the middle, which he found on a tip in Gqeberha.
He pointed out a German one and a beautifully hand-crafted one.
On Morris’s lounge wall is a large collection of African beadwork that he bought from someone.
He does not know too much about the meaning of the beads and would love to hear from someone who does.
If you or anyone you know could help, contact him on 083-703-6430.