Posted by Jean Fink on Wednesday, 20 July 2005, at 2:22 p.m.:
In Reply to: Wanted: Mitzi Spinning Wheel by J. Rappard posted by Arianie Keeney on Monday, 7 March 2005, at 6:27 p.m.:
Someone sent me to this message board after they saw my ad(following) on the Spin-Sales list.
am selling my wonderful Rappard Mitzi wheel,
made in
the 70's(and before??)in New Zealand by Rappard &
Co.
In the original brochure which came with it, the
wheel
is described as Scandinavian style"designed to
give a
lifetime of relaxed and faultless spinning. It
low
slung stability and large diameter(22.5") wheel
give
this wheel the ultimate of spinning bliss." I
would
agree.
You can spin with either double-drive or
Scotch-tensioning(there are directions showing
how to
do either), it has a 10mm orifice(easy to
thread), a
3-speed whorl, 4 bobbins, a lazy kate, a built-in
threading hook, and a larger 2-speed whorl.
Size--35"
High, 35" long, 12" wide. Ratios: 17-12-8 1/2-7
1/2-4
to 1. Five different ratios among the 2 whorls.
I don't know what kind of wood it is made from,
but
the finish is lovely and dark, with the patina of
35+
years of loving use. I am the second owner,
having
bought it in Canada from the original owner--an
aging
retired spinner-- over 5 years ago. There is chip
carving and also some carving on the treadle. I
would
characterize the condition as very good, with the
expected few age dings here and there. It
continues to
be an excellent spinner.
I am at the paring-down stage in life--kids gone,
smaller house, simplifying---and feel that 3
wheels
may be excessive. My Mitzi mostly sits in the
dining
room, looking beautiful, while I drag my
Majacraft to
meetings and demos,spin jumbo yarns on my Country
Spinner, and increasingly use my spindles at home
and
away. This is a purely logical decision. Gasp
and
sigh.
Price--$950. U.S. shipping, $50.00--carefully,
lovingly, anally packed.
Pictures @ http://photos.yahoo.com/overtwisted