I consider myself an archaeologist of the arcane, a preservationist of the bizarre, a taxidermist of dreams. Humbly, I lay before you what I have discovered travelling darker and curious byways. I have excavated the soil of Wonderland and crossed the Deadly Deserts of Oz. I have trowelled the ashes of Whitewood, Massachusetts. I have sifted through the debris of abandoned French chateaux, English manor houses, Italian villas, and Hungarian castles; risked life and limb on the streets of Gotham City; and tread carefully across Owl Creek Bridge. I have rooted through the soot of a shuttered pie shop in a forgotten London alleyway and ferreted the scoria beneath the Paris Opera House. I have mined the ruins of the Usher mansion, plundered the bedchamber of M. Valdemar, and entered into a palace where the Red Death once held sway. The relics with which I have returned are evidence—faint echoes of desecrated realms and passions long interred. May they prove the existence of what was once wrongly believed the stuff of but fevered imagination only.—Scot D. Ryersson


Arcanifacts are available for sale at: http://arcanifactsemporium.blogspot.com/ 


Scot D. Ryersson is accepting private commissions.  
You may reach him via e-mail at arcanifacts@gmail.com


Monday, April 27, 2009

LOT 412: Antique Incense Burner

When I first learned of Mr. Ryersson’s knack for unearthing unique and desirable “Arcanifacts,” I instantly realized that I must commission him for a piece to add to my own antiquarian collection. Having shared countless fascinating conversations with Scot through the years, many of our darkest whisperings inevitably led to continued speculations mired in the unfortunate events surrounding the demise of our late great friend and colleague, Dr. Julian Karswell. Whether actually struck by a train (as police reports have concluded), or destroyed by some terrible thing of his own design, it seemed only natural (or supernatural) that the first treasure for Scot to acquire for me should come from Karswell’s rightfully maligned, blackened estate.

-Stephen Banes (St Louis, MO)


Incense burner, instruction packet and matchbox


Burner opened to show incense grains and demon claw


Rune parchment found hidden in matchbox!


Lot 412 Instructions



Lot 412 catalog page from Karswell estate auction


Another page from Karswell estate auction catalog

(Lot 412 images taken from the private collection of the late Stephen Banes, who was found horribly mutilated on the morning of April 27th, 2009 and under mysterious circumstances, not at all unlike that of Dr. Julian Karswell.)

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An account of the final days of Dr. Julian Karswell can be found in the M. R. James’ short story, Casting the Runes (click HERE), and also made into a moving picture in 1957 called Night of the Demon (aka Curse of the Demon.) More information can be found HERE.

Posted by at 12:24 PM

2 comments:

Karswell said...

Well, as you can see, the reports of my horrible mulitation and demise are a bit overblown as I am still very much alive and only partially mutilated. I do place full blame of course upon Scot Ryersson who has yes yes yes delivered to me a great arcanifact for my collection. But a warning too, as these arcanifacts can prove lethal and/or terrifyingly real, asfor example when my "time allowed" was up, I learned the truth about not taking the passing of the runic curse seriously. (Note: emailing runic curses back to the sender as a scanned jpeg is not effective, at least not currently in the USA.)

Thanks again Scot for the tremdous (and painful) find! I just hope the demon still believes me to be dead or I--- wait... what's that sound... like a familiar tune... I... there!! THERE IN THE TREES--- AIEEEEEEEE!!!! ack!

April 27, 2009 5:06 PM
Jessica said...

It’s wise to choose a reputable company to organize your estate auction. If you have more valuable assets that need to be sold, a well-organized auction is the way to go.

June 11, 2010 3:09 AM

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