Trip down memory lane: Selling history, one pieces at a time

Couple scavenges for vintage items to sell to collectors.

ISLAMABAD: One man’s trash is another’s treasure. With this idiom as their motto Shahzebul Haq Malik and his wife Anum go around the country digging out pieces with the aim to preserve heritage.

An interesting collection of items is clustered on a shelf and on the dining table, taking you back in time. The style, the feel, the look and even the scent of these items is not something one can buy at a store today. From gramophones, telephones, cameras, luggage to antiques, coins, and swords, each item was considered a must-have once upon a time.

For the past two years, the couple has been travelling to junkyards in Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Karachi, Bahawalpur and Jamrud digging out interesting pieces for hours, even days on end. They have also been gathering old items from family and friends who want to pass on their collection to those who would value the items and preserve them. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Anum Shahzeb said there was no commercial motive behind collecting and selling the items. It’s a hobby turned into a venture in an attempt to help people value these items.”

The older generation would hold on to things to pass it on to the next generation. As time went by, these classics lost their value and landed in junkyards. With the mission to discover and give these vintage items a home once again, the young couple goes around the country looking for must-haves for collectors.

The couple owns a 1955 Volkswagen Beetle which is the only oval Beetle running in the country. Participating in vintage car rallies from Karachi to Khyber since two years, they got to know enthusiasts who helped the venture by spreading the word.

Wanting to fit the “right” luggage bag in their vintage car, the couple got hold of 1950’s Samsonite bags from their grandparents which set the trend amongst other travellers. The couple does not believe in selling the items for a hefty price. “If you compare the prices of our items to those sold abroad it will make one wonder why would we sell it so cheap?” said Malik.

There are so many enthusiasts out there who want to revive culture or relive those moments in the past,” said Anum.

Interesting items include a 1951 Schatz & Sohne W3 clock discovered by the couple in Karachi. The fully functional clock comes with three chime options: Westminster, St Michael or Whittington and chimes on all quarters and strikes the hour. The timepiece is popular with collectors and is priced at Rs34,500. Other items include, 1950s Samsonite luggage for Rs4,500, 1a 928 Remington typewriter for Rs17,500 and a number of old magazines from the 70’s, such as an edition of Weekly Lahore, featuring the news of the toppling of Bhutto’s government.

“These vintage items are priceless, any price tag that you put on these items does not compensate for its age” said Malik. When people approach me I always say, “I can’t value your items, you need to know what it’s worth.”

The couple has no plans to expand their home-based initiative.  Although some collectors from abroad have purchased items from the vintage shop, they prefer selling them to people within the country. “We get many offers quoting higher prices than ours from collectors abroad, but the whole idea is to keep the items in Pakistan and promote the idea of preserving them,” said Anum.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2013.