Let me give you a case in point.
My grandfather owned a lumberyard for many years. With the exception of the last 5 years of it's existence, he contributed to the community, helped his friends build houses, garages, and the future of Muenster, Saskatchewan.
In the last year of the business, his boys (my uncles), gradually sold all of the store off. Around this time, I began my journey as a collector and began looking for all toys western. I had already found most of my present collection, and was in the process of starting my writing.
Then it happened.
I was visiting one day. My Uncle and I were talking, and my eyes drifted over the lumber price board, the fishing hooks, the screwdrivers, and the lighters. I looked left, and ran my hand through the dollar bin, then glanced inside the glass display cabinet. I looked up and saw sunglasses. I didn't need sunglasses I thought. But today, I SAW the display.
During the promotional campaign for the last Lone Ranger movie, Clayton Moore was unmasked by George Washington Trendle. For almost 5 years, Clayton appeared without the mask, with his eyes still hidden by SUNGLASSES. For all of his public appearances, he had dark glasses on.
What I was looking at was a rare Lone Ranger Sunglass display board!
I asked my Uncle if they were selling the board.
"Sure."
I explained myself. But I had to pay $2 for the sunglasses. I would have paid $20 for the board.
Taking the board down, I looked at the picture, and shook my head. For over 15 years I had looked at that display and not seen it. Now, I saw it. My grandfather had made holes in the main picture (for more shades), and had written in black feltpen across the middle $6.95. A small consolation, I said, this is a rare item.
Clayton, in the picture looks youthful, although he was in his late 60's when the picture was taken, and he could have been the grandfather of the admiring twins, but HE is in the picture.
The felt pen mars the image, but it is a good reminder of the Lone Ranger and his struggle to regain the mask that had become his trademark. Sunglasses or Mask, Clayton Moore was the Lone Ranger, and would be so until his death in 1999.
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