1. "Favorite Borden Memorabilia?"
Posted by stuart on Mar-18th-03 at 7:51 PM

A question for all the Lizziebilia collectors out there: What is your favorite piece of Borden memorabilia, and why?
I'll start. Mine is an original copy of  Porter's "Fall River Tragedy" that I found in a local used book store back in the early '70s for $1.50. It was missing a page, but who cares? It gives off an aura that I can't quite describe. But the feeling of being close to Fall River in the 1890s is very strong.
I'd love to hear others' stories.

My entire collection is only three books --- by Evan Hunter,
Victoria Lincoln & Frank Spiering. But at least I've got 'em!

I don't really have a collection outside of my books.  Not to sound corny, but, my favorite parts of my Borden memorabilia would be all the wonderful people I chat with on this forum.  They bring Lizzie to me in a way I never could have on my own. 

I've just had my cookies.

Thanks Susan, we really appreciate you too!

I'm still thinking.

I've been thinking all evening, sort of.

Maybe the most prized would be Stef's video of 92 Second Street.
Our mother was still alive, though she'd had 2 strokes.  I couldn't go to Fall River because I was her sole care-giver.  (and for her 12 cats) 
It was about a week before my birthday and Stef called me from the house, the sitting room to be exact!
I took a poloroid self-portrait of me on the phone with Stef at Lizzie Borden's Second Street murder house.
In that way, we shared the experience.  Our mom got to say hello, too.
When Stef returned she brought us the video and we 3 watched that exciting scene unfold. .. and at one point, Stef standing next to the Borden Memorial waves at me in the movie and calls out "Hi. Kat!"  It may be edited out now but it's still there in my copy.
That was a wonderful birthday present she shared with myself and our mom.

(Message last edited Mar-19th-03  3:48 AM.)

That was a nice memory Kat, gave me goosebumps. 
My favorite memorabilia is also my personal pictures because
the trip to Fall River was the first real vacation my son and I
ever had, we spent 3 or 4 days there, then to Williamsburg,VA, then
to Wash. DC, a fun 2 weeks when he was still young enough (14 I think)
to enjoy hanging with Mom!  I love this Lizzie-button I have, just a
button with picture of Lizzie, no writing; an envelope postmarked
from "Lizzie Borden Station" Aug. 4 1992 from the FRHS; a "fan" from
the play "Slaughter on Second Street" (it has Lizzie's pix on it);
a bookmark with Lizzie's pix and signature and quote "I know I am
innocent, and I have made up my mind that, no matter what happens,
I will try to bear it bravely and make the best of it"; my FRHS
brochure signed by Florence Brigham..  I saved a lot of stuff from
the restaurant "Lizzies" I guess we really liked the food there!
Hope to hear what goodies others have! 

Not sure if it would be the ceremonial parade axe I picked up (for a song) at an area antique mall OR the nifty beaded pears that my nephew, Austin picked up for me for Christmas the year I decided on my project.  Said items are in my "Lizzie bathroom" along with the urinal/vase w/ velvet pansies that hangs on the wall.  Should I mention the pear tree I sponge painted into a corner?  Sure has made this dreary Ohio winter more tolerable.

Ooo, do you have any pics of your finished project?  Or, is it still in transition? 

I do have a set of very lifelike pear salt & pepper shakers. I
always thought of them as being French Country -- and I do have
a pansy keychain & a few pieces of handpainted porcelain things
also with pansies & a little jewely box covered in pansies. I
guess that is a bit of a collection.

Susan...it's not totally finished yet.  My sis has a digital camera & said she'll do some pics to post here, if we can ever get our work schedules to mesh.  She works midnights, 12 hour shifts; I'm working 3 part time jobs to make ends meet (one midnight, one evenings & one morning); thank goodness for pencils & calendars.

Well, I am looking forward to seeing it, don't hurry on my account, just take your time. 

I wish I had an original Porter. I bet you nearly yelled out loud when you discovered it and tried to keep your excitement to yourself in case the store clerk/book seller figured out that you had the find of the century in your hands!

One of my cherished items is a Fall River police constable badge. Another is the copy of Knowlton that kat bought me for Christmas. It was a huge surprise! And a loving gesture.

I too am thankful for the very close friends that I have made through the study of Lizzie. Not just ordinary run of the mill friends, but best friends, true friends, great friends. If it wasn't for Lizzie Borden, we never would have met!    Thanks Susan for thinking that about us. I feel the same way!

The trial that Harry did.  It's a dream come true for me.  I have wanted to read the trial since I was a kid. 

The other source documents as well.

Why can't I find an original Porter for $1.50??  I go to garage sales.  I've been good!  Congratulations on your find, Stuart!!  

I've been collecting pear and pansy things these past couple of years.  I can't pass them up.  I'd love to see Zoe's photos, too, when she is ready to post them. 

And all the Bordenites I've come to know, and those I've yet to know.
I've found some really wonderful people thanks to our common interest.
Good, true friends.  That aspect really outweighs everything else for me.  Even finding a Porter for a buck and a half.

My favorite has to be the Lizzie Borden mouse pad.  Not blowing our own horn but it is really a beautiful piece, almost like art.

I just recently acquired two recordings in mp3 format for the song "The Old Fall River Line". One was recorded in 1913 by Billy Murray on Victor records, and the other in 1914 by Collins & Harlan, Columbia records.  Both used the acoustic method of recording. Kinda nice to hear even though a little scratchy. Had the tune going through my head all day one day last week.

During my last visit to F.R. (about four years ago), I made a pilgrimage to the FRHS. I hadn't been there in quite some time. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Brigham was the curator the last time I went and the building had not been restored and the exhibits were arranged quite differently.

I was amazed at how "professional" the place looked. Like a well cared for musuem. I was impressed. Anyway, at the gift shop I bought a box of Lizzie Borden stationary. I'm very stingy with it and still have some left. I only send it to people who I know would appreciate it and it never fails to get a great response!

P.S. I was somewhat shocked over the fact that the Lizzie Borden exhibit was the last on the tour. It had always been first and I used to go a couple times every summer to get creeped out by "the skulls."

Lola, was it just the photos of the Borden's skulls or the actual skulls? 

I believe the actual skulls were eventually buried, is that right?

I'm reaching way back in my foggy memory banks here, but I believe they had plaster casts of the skulls. Or the original photos or something. They were very creepy to a kid either way. They also had/have the stool she sat on in prison and a lock of Abby's hair, which I believe to be genuine. They were laid out in a case and had photos and other items as well.

Yea I see the fog too.
Was it Thibault who ended up with the plaster casts?
The skulls were buried.
I think they showed photo's of the skulls at the Borden exhibit.
Depending on a person's age, some here may be surprised to know that skulls and bodies and crime scenes and such were NEVER printed in books or out where kids could be exposed.
It was like the 60's before those kinds of photo's were in books in the bookstores.

Thanks, Lola.  I've never been there, am curious what they have on display.  Plaster casts of the actual skulls would still be pretty creepy to me.

Kat, thats pretty amazing about the photos not being in books before the 1960s.  I think that is part of the thing that drew me in to the Borden murders were the photos in the books.  Black and white, fuzzy and grainy pics of Lizzie and the gang, but, still clear enough to send a delicious little chill down your spine.

It reminded me of when I read Helter Skelter and it had the crime scene photos with the bodies deleted from the scenes.  Just recently I have seen some of the photos as they were, probably better that I saw the doctored photos when I young. 

This site several years ago gave a pretty good description of what the FRHS had. 

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/MAFALliz.html

I can't figure out what that long, fat object is that I point to with a red arrow.



(Message last edited Apr-13th-03  12:59 PM.)

Thanks, Harry.  I recall seeing this site and there was a question about Abby's bloodstained camisole being there, I don't think anyone has seen that? 

That thing looks like some post or peg to something.  Maybe someone who has been there can tell us?  Augusta?  Anyone? 

Maybe it's Andrew's Club from under his bed?

Or that hatchet handle that the cops were so confused about?
(Just kidding, folks!)

It looks like a policeman's billy club. I don't remember that in the exhibit. Would the Fall River policmen have carried something like that at the time?
BTW, thanks to all for sharing your stories. They are all very interesting to me, and they help me get to know all of you a little better!

This isn't Borden realated but have you read the Saratoga Springs mysteries by Stephen Dobyns?  And do you go to the racetrack?

Kat: I haven't read any of the Dobyns books, although my brother and mother have (I'm more of a British fan, myself). He uses many real local landmarks, but changes the names. Matt Witten, who writes "Law and Order" also bases his mysteries in Saratoga. Witten actually lived here until recently moving to LA. I don't think Dobyns ever lived here.
I went to the track once when I was a teenager, and found it to be the most BORING experience, so I was never eager to go back. Also, I own a retail business (antiques), so I am prety much tied to my store during the busy season--one has to make the money while one can!
PS: Sorry to be so OT.

OH thanks for replying!
Your mother and brother--didn't they try to get you to read those books?  They are well worth reading! 
I love British Mysteries the BEST and my rule is if I read American Mystery it has to be funny.
These are pretty quirky.
I think or I thought Dobyns was Canadian but I can't remember why I thought that.
Well at least you can say you experienced the track!

What can you tell us about your shop?

Well, it's a consignment shop that specializes on antiques and vintage items. I have a large selection of vintage clothing (which appeals to the Skidmore College students), as well as furniture, pottery, lighting, fabric, books,costume jewelry, and just about anything that soemone decorating in a retro style could want. Art Deco and Fifties Modern is very popular here (as it probably is in Florida where you are, Kit). I am constantly receiving new merchandise, so I am always packed full. My store is either a packrat's dream, or a a minimalist's nightmare!

This sounds really cool.
I hunted down places like this you describe in my youth in the late 60's, early 70's.
Do you have a catalogue you could promote here?
Or a few pictures you would like to post?
You could start a thread at the Second Street Second Hand Shop?
If you sell antiques why not advertise a few times?
It's not like you joined for that.  My suggestion...
(OH Lord am I starting a trend?)

My favorite items are my books and of course my personal pictures of Fall River, inside the B&B and my video footage. Whenever I need a "Lizzie fix", I bring out my photos and watch the video.