Exhibition Castle of 1884

I held this castle over for yet another month because I want to have it up on the web during the April CVA meeting.  I still think it is worth the extra exposure.  As mentioned, this picture was taken with my new Ricoh 300Z digital camera.  Unfortunately, the zoom does not allow me to take a wide angle picture, so I have pasted two pictures together.  The question of whether this castle is "1884" or "1885" is open.  Both designations are known.  The castle was designed, built and exhibited by the Richter company in 1884.  But it became more famous for the larger exhibits in 1885.  So the "1885" date was attached.  But, "1884" is more correct, as news accounts of the castle prove.  

Only in the last few years has ann modern Anchor person seen a picture of this side of the castle.  Even though I have a large Anchor collection, I did not have enough sloped red roof/tower stones (262R) to build this castle in its original colors.  I was able to buy them from the new Anchor factory.  I also had to lower my building table to step-stool height so that the entire tower could be built.  I did reduce the base from eight layers to four.

This view is the best known.  It is found not only on the advertising triangle that Tobias Mey has, but it was printed in several of the Richter company catalogs.  By now the castle has been standing about four months.  So, it is stable.  I will take it down in late May -- early June.

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A few of you may wonder what I look like.  Here is a picture from Christmas, 1996.  This picture is about as good as they get.

For those who are really interested in Anchor stones, I have written a book about them.  (I just got tired of either looking up the same information again and again, or trusting my memory on specific details such as dates and names.)  It is expensive, US$70 (or 100 DM or 50 Euro) ppd, because I print it myself on my PC and color ink is expensive.  The book undoubtedly contains far more information about Anchor stones and sets, the Richter company, etc. than you'll ever want to read.  This book is a lot of work to print (I print about a dozen at a time, and is available in either English or German), so please don't think I am urging you to buy one.

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