Rare Aquatic Cornish Pasty Victorian Museum Specimen Find

Tiny part of Boffins Bunker 'Cabinet of Curiosities ' Collection

Rare Aquatic Cornish Pasty Victorian Species Specimen

found in Scandinavian Museum Cabinet

Dear Boffins laboratory journal reader

Living in social & geographical isolation as the Boffin does (like you had not noticed) it was my various medication, meanderings, collections & tinkering's which drew me to the steampunk aesthetic.  Boffins own 'Cabinet of Curiosities' being various & peculiar, the steampunk objects & gadgets just nestle right in there alongside occult & natural history specimens.

The Boffin recently read on Brass Goggles forum that Steampunk is not just about Victorian-esque cloths!? 

For me it has never been about the cloths.  Heresy for some SP's, well yes, Boffin concurs there is something both airy & convenient about wearing nothing but an open back surgical frock gown, prosthetic assisted & converted elbow length rubber acid proof gauntlets, surgical face mask & multiple magnified optical lens apparatus in the laboratory (Health & Safety would approve). 

However this is apparently not a good look or socially acceptable day wear to answer the front door for receiving eBay parcels from the man of the postal service.  It's the bending to put the parcel down exposing lower nether region buttock cleavage due to wearing nothing but the open back surgical gown that clinched it, or should that be clenched it. Who knew?

The point being Steampunk is for some adherents to the genre/aesthetic other than cloths.  For the Boffin it revolves around my ever growing 'Cabinet of Curiosities'.

Which is why I was delighted to learn that an exceedingly rare example of the believed to have been lost 'Aquatic Cornish Pasty'  Pasty aquaticus had been located in a Scandinavian Museum Cabinet.



 Genuine specimen Finnish Museum Natural History;
 said by Prof. BB may be of the extremely rare 'Aquatic Cornish Pasty'

A little research quickly established no records whatsoever of a Victorian captive breeding programme of these strange & rather bizarre frilly tentacle creatures. Despite now being rumoured to have been used by the Bodmin Moor fishing fleet to herd towards nets,  the equally rare Cornish double winged flying pilchard as used to be caught off the East coast of Cornwall.

Now the geographically inclined will say 'Hang on , there is no East coast of Cornwall, that's called Devon' .  Exactly!  That is what makes these 'Aquatic Cornish Pasty' beasties so damn rare!

Both of the exceptional Cornish species said to be rarer than even a live specimen of the Scottish Haggis. 

Boffins Bunker has secured initial research funding from the Brass Ministry of Pointless Experimental Exercises, a micro small steampunk budgetary section of the Treasury Dept.  If the Boffin can procure a tissue sample from the Scandinavian museum pickled wet specimen, then Cornish Pasty, Jellyfish & Sculpey *TM cross breeding programme can be eventually begun in the Bunker early last year.

Boffins Bunker experiments cannot be any weirder than fish genetic DNA being used in tomatoes?

Boffin will let you know how we get on in time. (In time for what I'm not sure)

NB: NOT FOR THE SENSITIVE or WEAK OF STOMACH: 
For many more examples of 'Cabinet of Curiosities' Wet Specimens both real & faux visit Boffins Bunker research page on Pinterst  'Get Wet & Pickled' 

STEAMPUNK: Come in from cold of Brass Monkeys & warm up with Brass Goggles

See no evil, Hear no evil, speak no evil
......the 4th, do no evil (holding his neither regions) is missing

STEAMPUNK:
Come in from cold of Brass Monkeys & warm up with Brass Goggles

It can be cold out there in internet Aether. I find I have to wade through so much stuff to get to anything that I want, I feel like a virtual clothing fashion hoarder looking for a collar stud.

Trying to find out about Steampunk is no different.  In theory Steampunk is supposed to be on the rise in cultural popularity.  For those who become interested at a peripheral level, finding out more may seem quite complex & involved.

I could save you the effort of reading all this, by simply saying 'Brass Goggles'

But where did I start?
Well the search engine Google seemed the obvious choice.  For me that brought up 42,500,00 results for the broadest of search terms 'STEAMPUNK'.  Forty two & a half million results...and I'm not reading through all that lot!

Google has algorithm-ish type thingy-whatsits (I bet its steam nanotechnology manipulated by steam wizards) which apparently tailor  search results based on your IP address previous viewing/searches (or something like that). 

The 1st ten on my Google Steampunk search results:- Top of Google came a paid for advert for some fancy dress costumes to buy.  (Not a particularly good or encouraging start)

Then came:-
(1) Wikipedia entry:-  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk (The reading of which did not overly excite me, but was informative in its diversity)
(2) Google images of steampunk.  (Proliferated by seemingly leather clad persons & some fine creations gadget artefacts, but this changes frequently)
(3) Steampunk Empire; http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/ A forum (Mainly American) This was my own 1st point of entry into the world of SP.  I joined the good ship 'Steampunk Empire', although I am in the UK, I pop by nearly every day.
(4) The Independent, a UK newspaper article, (expounding that Steampunk is the latest fashion).
(5 & 6) Two commercial clothing websites (Yawn, sorry that was most rude of me)
(7) Steampunk Face book (Hmmm, make your own mind up on this one!)
(8) A 'How too Steampunk' (Now this I liked in parts)
http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-id/category-technology/channel-steampunk/
(9) Amazon (flogging mainstream stuff!)
(10) Steampunk.com article 'What is steampunk' (Now unfortunately this website set of my malware detector & the little Lilliput lady held captive in my computer started to scream  'Threat has been detected' like a demented female version of the Robot in Space family Robinson'  "Warning, Warning, Danger, Danger, etc. etc." which is why I have not included a link)

Now Google searches I find are like newspapers, the most interesting stuff is usually on page two & three.  (NB: I most certainly do not mean the red top tabloids, harrumph!)

Google search page two revealed for me two items of note:-
(1) Steampunk Magazine:- Informative (But felt a little sterile to me) http://www.steampunkmagazine.com/

& then we have...
(2) Brass Goggles;  A UK based forum http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/

Brass Goggles is the 'GO TO' site!

If you want to know more about the vast diversity under the umbrella term 'Steampunk', allocate some solid research time (hours spread over days multiplied by  beverages of choice) reading through oodles of postings that most suite your particular leanings & inclinations regarding steampunk.   Be aware some threads tend to meander & wander a bit.

I personally encountered problems registering on Brass Goggles over a period of weeks attempting.  The Brass Goggles machinery gremlins did not like my email addresses at all.  I eventually used an email from a seldom used account & finally joined the forum. Ta-dah, tenacity & perseverance over machines wins every time or that of use of a 4lb lump hammer!!

So there is no need to be out with the Brass Monkeys, in the past future world of Steampunk come in from the cold and see if Brass Goggles fit. (Even if it's just to lurk as a guest)

..............................................................

I have now complied with terms on a sticky thread on Brass Goggles that if I want to mention my steampunk blog on BG postings, 'quid pro quo' I have to have mention of Brass Goggles on my blog.

NB:  One of the lesser known steampunk websites I personally like can be found HERE

DASH! Bother & Blast! Wouldn't you know it.  There IS a Steampunk jewellery artist called 'Brass Monkeys'!  I wish to make it quite clear the above article was reference to the long accepted & historical term reference to Brass Monkeys as being an indication of cold & not intended as a slur in anyway upon the creativity of Steampunk Brass Monkeys, the artist.  Not being on Facebook I had not come across them.  However, in fairness here is a link to their FB page.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brass-Monkey-Jewellery/173790472695743 

Steampunk needs you...in the Northern territories!

The territories in the North need your steampunk assistance.



Dear Boffin Bunker Laboratory Journal Readers

The Boffin received a despatch Aether message over the tweetering network requesting urgent help.  A steampunk festival initiative needs a boost. 

The message may be found here:- http://craighallam.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/steampunk-needs-you/

All important further information for this worthy Steampunk venture may be found here;-   http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/steampunk-doncaster--2

Now who amongst the Steampunk brethren & sisterhood could not support the idea of a steampunk festival initiative in the North of England. 

The simplest of contribution is furthering information of the valiant aim via various social media....

...or putting long arms into short pockets & pledging/making a donation of a sovereign or two. You know it makes sense. 

Only through evangelical proselytising of getting steampunk & its diversity more widely known to the greater public will fresh blood & new explorers be recruited to the great adventure (the appreciation of the style, genre, aesthetics simply follows naturally)

Do something jolly nice today!
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/steampunk-doncaster--2

kind regards

Boffins Bunker

Proper Cornish Trevithick Steampunk Pasty from Cornwall

Proper Cornish Trevithick Steampunk Pasty from Cornwall

Dear Boffins Laboratory journal reader

Today is Richard 'Trevithick Day' in Camborne, Cornwall.  Mr Trevithick being one of the founding fathers of steam & his 'Puffing Devil' (Don't believe, then click the link?) therefore the Boffin thought he'd tinker up something proper Cornish steampunk in the laboratory.

It is said that the Cornish once had such a reputation for putting anything in their pasties that the Devil refused to cross the Tamar from Devon least he end up in a pasty. 

Now given the propensity of steampunkers to add gears, watch parts, sprockets, rivets & pistons  to anything that they can lay their hands on...it seemed only right and proper to 'steampunk a pasty'.

The Cornish are right proud of their pasties, just look at the stink kicked up when that up-country gentleman (I use the word very loosely) tried slapping a VAT tax on pasty's.



Because the Cornish once had a reputation of putting anything in a pasty,
 the Devil refused to cross the Tamar from Devon least he end up in one! 

What is more the Cornish pasty is a protected species, seriously!  It has PGI protected status from the Brussels European Commission, just like Champagne does from the Champagne region of France.  If a pasty is made anywhere else but in Cornwall (UK) it cannot by European law be called a Cornish pasty.

...and if you really want to upset a Cornish person...put carrots in your pasty.  They will not be impressed. 

Don't even start on whether it should be crimped to one side or down the middle, that's how civil wars are caused.  Then there is the whole short crust verses flaky pastry debate, that can keep Cornish bal maids jawing for hours as to one or the tuther.

Even the spelling of it; 'pasty' or 'pastie' can cause a long discussion.

Steampunkers will add gears, clock parts, rivet it & put a piston in
 anything if its in their reach & they can get their hands on it!

It is said in Cornwall that the pasty was invented for the Cornish tin miners croust (see Cornish dialect words), the end left over bit of the pasty which was held in the miners hands was then left as a token offering for the 'knockers'.

More recent research in 2006 has thrown up a little dilemma from Devon in 1510, but we won't talk about that....tis blasphemy in Cornwall!

Now I have to go as there appears to be a flame torch bearing lynch mob making its way up from the village towards the Boffins Bunker laboratory.  They will be here 'dreckly' & after what happened to Victor Frankenstein & his experimental laboratory I'd better go batten down the blast doors.

kind regards

Boffins Bunker

NB:- Judging from this video of the 'Puffing Devil', the day went well.

Pickle wet specimen creatures for the Steampunk Victorian Cabinet of Curiosities

Pickle wet specimen creatures for the Steampunk Victorian Cabinet of Curiosities

(Alternative title: 'Get Wet & Pickled')
(Another alternative title: 'A wet specimen is for life, not just Halloween')



Genuine Museum preserved Wet Specimens

Every respectable gentleman (& some less respectable) of Victorian leisure & science would have had a virtual home museum of artefacts & objects in their private collection, often housed in the library or study.



Malplaquet House, London
image acquired from Pinterest

A Cabinet of Curiosities, or Wunderkammer of quirky, weird & natural (& unnatural) wonders. These were often after dinner conversation pieces for the gentlemen (& the more adventurous non-swooning ladies).

Now these collected objects could get pretty bizarre & genuinely quite creepy.  However, no respectable well read person of Victorian science or barking mad laboratory boffin would surely have been without their wet 'specimens'.  Boffins Bunker no exception & we had to create a few of our own for our cabinet of curiosities.




From Boffins Bunker's own 'Cabinet of Curiosities'
(i) Real Snakeskin Oil, (ii) Kraken Squid Cephalopod, (iii) Occult Divination Nutshells



 

Wet squid specimens nestled amongst other objects in
the Boffin Bunker 'Cabinet of Curiosities'

I have an inspiring image collection of Cabinet of Curiosity collections here on my Pinterest http://pinterest.com/boffinsbunker/cabinets-of-curiosities-wunderkammer/

but where does one get specimens?

Ah, well, that takes application & dedication, ferreting about and often looking at things in a slightly different perspective...like the luminous fishing bait moppet lure used in the above wet Kraken squid specimen.

"I collect.
What I cannot collect, I create. 
What I cannot create, I imagine.
What I cannot imagine...others will,.. in time!

A virtual collection of wet specimen images may be found here on Boffin Bunkers Pinterest board 'Get Wet & Pickled'

So Steampunk ...Cornish Masked Ball & a Rabbit Hole

So Steampunk ...Cornish Masked Ball & a Rabbit Hole

Picture liberated from Masked Ball Website

Trawling through my early morning Aether Cornwall messages with my 1st coffee of the day I spotted the combination of (a) Masked Ball & (b) Rabbit Hole.  Now that's enough to make any Steamer prick their eye balls up, even an old laboratory recluse like me.

Turns out there is a cliff top ticketed party planned at Porthleven on May 4th.  That's  damn near right outside the Bunker laboratory door. 

Who knew?

Well actually clearly a lot of young folk (these urchins & urchinettes all communicate by magic & pheromones you know!) as all the early bird tickets for the Masked Ball are gone!  http://tickets.maskedball.net/event/summer-2013/

But indications are some regular tickets remain at time of lab journal writing!

This Porthleven Cornish cliff top event is in fact so close-ish  if I cut down some trees, shifted a hill slightly to the right, and excavated the valley floor by fifty feet I could probably with aid of low level ocular device even see the Masked Ball camp site from the Bunker blast doors.



Picture liberated from Masked Ball Website

Now anything that's likely to jig my laboratory test tubes into dancing a shanty on the shelf requires further investigation and it turns out the cunning blighters have done it before.  So certainly no novice Cornwall Masked Ball event.  This is planned, organised & clearly out for fun, if a little video I found is any indication. http://vimeo.com/64223348

I like it when people have fun, its a commodity in relative short supply.

Picture liberated from Masked Ball Website

Now although the Boffins Bunker is several miles from the sea as the crow flies, I can genuinely sometimes hear Atantic storm waves breaking on the shore when the wind is in the right direction. The chances are I may well get to hear the rhythmic beat of the Masked Ball carried on the wind, (or reverberating through the old tin mine tunnels beneath the bunker).

I will stand at the Bunker doors & from a distance, with a suitably liquid libation, jig solitary in conjoined spirit with these happy young folk.

For more information ;- http://www.maskedball.net/

Fuzzy Spectrum Steampunk meandering or What is steampunk?

Fuzzy Spectrum Steampunk meandering or What is steampunk?

Define steampunk... is it pre-'polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride'
  
Oh dear, Boffin has again been asked 'what is steampunk'?

For me & I can only speak personally, to me it is;-

A fantasy view of a pre WWI-past era envisaged into the future, created or enacted/stitched/built/written/painted/performed/etc. in the present

 had they had our technology in the past.

(There you go.... Clear as mud!)

Historical era wise for me  Steampunk draws influence from & reflects (but not slavishly copies) a style period from the end of the Georgian C18th running up until-ish the end in 1910 of Edward the VII reign or a pre-WW1 (1914-18), so Victorian-esque give or take a decade of style origin.

...or to put it another way Steampunk reflects mainly (but not exclusively)  a time pre-mass production of 'polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride' or 'Bakelite' as it is more commonly known as, an early plastic invented in 1907.

iRetrofone Steampunk styled after one of bakelite 
techstyles.com.au

Contradiction: But then I 've seen some fab Art deco influenced steampunk items, which historically design-wise runs up until almost the outbreak of WWII in 1939, so that pre-Bakelite guide is most of the way out-the-window ....



Deco lamp
featured on gadgets.boingboing.net  -

For those who say historically plastic has no part of the Victorian era from whence most steampunk draws influence from.  Well 'no plastic' ('squirms'), strictly speaking is not quite true as celluloid, (Ivorine or French Ivory) an early form of thermoplastic & often used as a faux ivory, had been around since the C1860's & was widely used for making many objects inside the mid reign onwards of Queen Victoria (1819 -1901).

x4 Celluloid Hair Combs c1890
previously offered at auction
 whitakerauction.smugmug.com  -

Basically, I see steampunk, as people socialising, making, creating & having fun!

 (Please don't try to put my perception of steampunk in a rigid box; unless its mahogany & then only if it has brass bound corners & recessed carrying handles!)

Now the Boffin developed steampunk interests in virtual complete isolation from any steampunk organised influences. In fact I've found steampunk moderately hard socially to break into on forums & in chat, but Boffin knows what he likes.  My influences may have been subliminal images from some science fiction films, the occasional stumbled upon picture & a healthy teenage diet (decades ago) of pulp Science fiction.

Having also been an antique furniture restorer & polisher as a form of employment years ago & being an avid collector of multiple & diverse 'things' may also have helped.

Most people once involved in steampunk I feel will develop their own sense of 'what is steampunk' to them...and that's just fine!  A sort of Fuzzy Spectrum of Steampunk ranging across a diversity of approaches, perceptions & appreciations.

Steampunk...it's what you make or make of it!

Kind regards

BB