Monocle

Stumbled across this splendid site a few days ago and I've spent a very enjoyable time wallowing in firework nostalgia and revisiting my childhood memories. However I do need some specific information and I wonder if any forum members might be able to offer some advice?


I was rooting around in my usual antique and charity shops the other day when I came across something that made me rock back in amazement. There, strewn casually across the floor, was a small group of old fireworks which were still live and unlit! Now I've been collecting bits and pieces for years but I must admit that this was a first for me. Although I normally seek out old bits of music etc, the site of these fireworks lit my own nostalgic blue touch paper and I was transported back to the many happy hours I spent in the 60s making my own 'Penny for the Guy' dummy when I'd trundle him out in our old pushchair and spend the raised coppers and sixpenny bits on a wondrous array of fireworks from my local newsagents. I can't think of anything much more thrilling then the day when Bonfire Night appeared on the horizon and the shop's glass cabinets were cleared to make way for small boxes of 'Jack in the Boxes' , 'Spitfires' and 'Silver Fountains' and other seasonal delights. Needless to say I bought that handful of fireworks and have spent the last few days showing them to all my middle-aged chums. You cannot believe the amount of memories they have rekindled and the happiness they have created!


However, my dear wife is a little less happy about having old live fireworks in our house - even if they are sealed in an airtight plastic box. So I am reluctantly going to have to considering selling them...although I'd love to try and plead to keep one! With this in mind I need to find out whether it's legal to sell on old fireworks? I assume that they would have to be emptied of their powder if they went on Ebay and the like? Although it would seem a shame seeing they've survived so many years not to keep them intact? Anyway, I'd welcome your advice and also your help in identifying their age. They all have pre-decimalsation old money on their casings and I'll happily pop up some snaps if you are happy for me to do so.