The Missing Culture

This Mira music box of early 1900s is good example of simplicity combined with elegance. You replace the punched steel disk and swim in seas of memories. Roll a cigarette and dream of cabarets, jazz, big bands, dancing men and women with fancy dresses of the era. At least, that's what I do whenever I look at it. Estimated value: $ 1,500

Historians and economists included, many tried to explain what triggered industrialization and why it failed to emerge in various regions of the world. Let me throw in my explanation: The concept of time. How we perceived time, or passing of it, was a crucial factor for mass production and specialization. Societies that had a relaxed understanding of time failed (now, this failure is subjective) to evolve from agricultural to industrial countries. A souvenir from 19th century, a gold enameled watch: the ultimate instrument of precision timing and coordination. Radius: 5.5 cm Estimated value: $ 10,000

There was a time when sailors were sailors; no GPS, no machinery. You relied on friendly winds to move you, stars to guide you during the night and a compass like this J. Wardale to find North in the day. Scary, eh? Dated: 1918 Dimensions: 7.5x7.5 cm. Estimated value: $ 300

Just like the Pathe phonograph , this old portable gramophone shows what music lovers had to go through about a century ago. Be it a picnic or any similar outdoor occasion, they took their sandwiches, drinks, records and a gramophone. And off they went, on a carriage. Estimated value: $ 1,000

It could be difficult to tell today's generation music was listened with instruments like this Pathe phonograph of 1890. You place the drum into its proper place, wind it a bit, and here it is: music from the past. Estimated value: $ 700

Looking at this nineteenth century Ottoman ink holder made of bone, one wonders how difficult it must have been to write something. Yet, because of this difficulty we enjoy a heritage of inscription and beautiful works of calligraphy. Length: 34.5 cm. Estimated value: $ 8,000

You may wonder what kind of tools are used in Ottoman calligraphy . To your right is a picture of scissors and a section marker called makta. Scissors is in the form a pelican and both have plant motifs, inlaid with gold. Their length are 16 and 13.5 cm. respectively. The edge of makta is open-worked. 19th century Estimated value: $ 5,000

The once Istanbul cabs were phenomenal. Usually American made, Chevrolets, Buicks, Oldsmobiles, Plymouths, Pontiacs, they all strolled across the city. And they had taximeters, but I have never seen them operating properly; most were long out of order and you had to negotiate the fare each and every time. This meter is from 1930's. Those cars made their owners richer when old car dealers discovered Istanbul had a plethora of vehicles with really, I mean really affordable prices. Same does not hold true for the owners of taximeters as you can look at the price tag of this one. Estimated value: $ 120