Yesterday we went to the Pompeii exhibit at the local Science Museum which was quite a disappointment. Almost everything was replica including the casts of victims in most ordinary poses. The highlight was our visit to the gift shop which had a wonderful selection of Westair Reproductions Limited products. You know them. CT gets an inquiry every few months asking if they are real. Highlight was the complete set of 12 aurei of the 12 Caesars for $34.95. They were just a little small, not particularly detailed and painted bright gold. For that price, I wanted Boscoreale red! Lowlight of the selection was the denarius size antoninianus of Trajan Decius (same one that my correct size and genuine failed to sell in John Anthony's sale this week). I understand now why it did not sell since anyone who wants the coin could have the Westair for only $9.99. Add to that, of course, the $15 each exhibit admission. Museums just don't carry the thrill they once did. On the other end of the museum spectrum, I see that the British museum has released some of their highlight objects as 3D printer files. I have not tried one yet but I can see a little statue or two coming soon. Of course they are limited to the size of your 3D printer so I won't be getting that life size Roman bust but it is great to see the BM entering this field.
At one time, the Fort Frederica National Monument here (a 1730s British military outpost) had replica George II British halfpennies in their gift shop, for $12 or something like that. When you could get the real thing on eBay or elsewhere for half that price or less. They were not marked with the 1973 Hobby Protection Act-mandated "COPY" stamp, either. This in a National Park, of all places. Hmph. I guess Uncle Sam is immune to the law.
That's a shame about the museum visit @dougsmit. I visited Pompeii back in 2004 when I was in Naples for a 6 week pre-Olympics joint military exercise. I didn't know a ton about Roman history at the time but I was absolutely blown away. I spent the entire day just wandering the streets and imaging how daily life was back then and how horrible their last moments were. Seeing the victims was really striking. I hopefully still have the pictures I took on a CD somewhere. I would love to go back now and re-visit it with the knowledge that I have of Roman history. Would definitely make it more special.
https://sketchfab.com/britishmuseum I have had ocassional trouble with this page loading. Busy hours?
