The Mystery of the Cookie Tin Piper

**artificer** · 28th February 12, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Singlemalt

It is an undisputed scientific fact that nothing looms larger in importance to the heart and mind of a seven year old boy than the family cookie tin. Fifty years ago when I was that boy, in a very Scottish-Canadian family our cookie tin featured the image of a very noble looking piper in full regalia. I can clearly remember asking my mother for something from piper tin and she telling me "that he was not just any piper, he is the Queen's piper".

Fast forward about 30 years (20 years ago) and my father has died. One of my tasks was to go through his workshop and decide what tools and supplies I wanted. In doing so I found the Piper Cookie Tin full of old bolts, hinges and parts. Of course I could not throw it away so I added it to my workshop where it served the same purpose for many years. A few years ago the hinges and the bottom of the tin gave out and I tossed them but somehow I could not bring myself to get rid of the decorated lid. I tucked it up behind a beam above my work bench. Today in preparation of a move of my own I found it again and it brought back a flood of old memories.

I looked at this image which has been part of my life for over 50 years and wondered, who was this fine man? Was he really the Queen's piper? I realize that probably a few clicks of my Google finger could solve this question but I decided I would rather share the story with the rabble and see if any of you could shed light on who this chap was. I know many on this forum are experts on the piping tradition and may enjoy the story of a small Canadian boy and his cookie tin.

Image below:

What a fantastic story! It's amazing how many memories and feelings can be attached to a simple, everyday object.

ith:

**sydnie7** · 28th February 12, 08:18 AM

Even if the piper is in "rough shape," your memories will still gleam each time you see him. I say shadow box, remember what the Antique Roadshow folks say about "patina"

**auld argonian** · 28th February 12, 08:43 AM

Patina!

int:

....remember the episode of Frasier where they turn The Antiques Roadshow into a drinking game? You pick a Roadshow word (patine, veneer, provenance...etc.) and every time they say it on the show it's bottoms up!

And you should frame that up. There are a lot of things like that knocking around here (I'm the archive, apparently, though I don't remember volunteering for the job) and I try to keep them safe. Always enjoy it when somebody from the family says, "Why did you hang on to THAT old piece of $#!+?"...because it's SPECIAL, dummy!

Best

AA

**Singlemalt** · 28th February 12, 08:54 AM

If patina adds value than this old lid its worth a fortune. How much extra do I get for the rust, scratches and dents?

I don't think my significant other would buy permanent display in our home. On the other hand I don't intend to toss it either. I will just stick it somewhere. I will probably forget it and find it again in five years or so and retell the whole story to whomever will listen!

**auld argonian** · 28th February 12, 09:00 AM

Your significant other won't go along?

I've got chunks of dislodged architectural ornament from old Chicago buildings adorning my shelves and walls....stuff that looks like it came from condemned buildings because it IS from condemned buildings. Your tin lid sounds like a venerable artifact...who could object to that?

Oh, well...De gustibus non disputandum est!

Best

AA

**Singlemalt** · 28th February 12, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Your significant other won't go along?

I've got chunks of dislodged architectural ornament from old Chicago buildings adorning my shelves and walls....stuff that looks like it came from condemned buildings because it IS from condemned buildings. Your tin lid sounds like a venerable artifact...who could object to that?

Oh, well...De gustibus non disputandum est!

Best

AA

Can you provide me the latin translation for "She who wields the duster rules what hangs on the walls"?

**Jack Daw** · 28th February 12, 05:02 PM

Well, I think it's a great story, too, and I've also become hungry for 'bisquits'!

[I brought home a box (not tin) of Girl Scout 'Biscuits' just today]

**crash** · 29th February 12, 07:20 PM

I'll try to get some pictures up of my tin. The company name is intact on the inside of the lid. I just can't remember it right now. My Grandmother wrote her name on the bottom of the tin in nail polish, I'm guessing so it wouldn't get lost at church bake sales. I wonder if it wasn't purchaced from the Walker's Store, the precurser to Mark's and Spencers, they were the department stores when I was very young.