G Man

I'm researching some old pottery for a friend who wants to sell it. Unfortunately the marks are in what I take to be Chinese or Japanese. I don't understand either and have found nothing on the net that matches these symbols, I don't even know whether they are the right way up.

Can anyone help by telling me what it is and what it means, please. This is a link to a picture of the marks. http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/compus_me...

Thanks

I found this in an old jewellry box that I was trying to repair, it broke and this thing fell out now I'm trying to work out what it is. Worst of all it's turned into a race between me & my wife with her legions of e-bay contacts.

It is in the form of a maltese cross made of some golden coloured metal.

There is a ball at each of the eight points or finials.

The arms of the cross are covered what looks to be a dark red enamel.

In the centre are the intertwined numbers 1888, I put them in that order because that's the way they read to me. The '1' is the largest number, that's intertwined with a slightly smaller '8' with a smaller '8' on either side, just like the numbers I've seen on buildings.

On the back there is an inscription 'H Lewis, New Bond Street, London' and the number 416

Now I've researched H Lewis and, if I'm right, they were at 7 New Bond Street from London from 1876 - 79 and then as Henry Lewis & Co. 172, New Bond Street. London from 1880 - 98.

This is the firm that made a piece that Christies are selling and on that piece they call themselves 'jewellers to the queen'. That and the fact that New Bond Street is in Mayfair make this a fascinating little find.

I've looked up notable events for 1888.

Queen victoria recognised the Order of St John in that year and they have a Maltese cross as their emblem but it's black & white and as far as I can see has never resembled my little medal

The Football league was founded in 1888 but does not seem to have anything to do with a Maltese cross. Same goes for the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

Nothing else seems noteworthy.

Here's a link to a picture

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/compus_me...

Recently found out I have had a heart attack without knowing it & now I need by-pass surgery.

Having the op in mid November and so far I'm feeling pretty laid back about it 'coz there's really no option.

Would like to hear from anyone who's been through this. What I would welcome is advice on

- preparation, anything you did, or wish you'd done before the op

- what I can expect in the post-op period and during recovery, plus

- advice on what to do / not to do to make recovery easier.

I have the 'Ultimate Civilization II Classic Collection' version of this game. It comes in a big dark green box that'a about 8cm deep. I've been looking forward to playing this for ages but I have a problem and it's too late to take it back.

It should contain a single cd and on that cd should be CIV II, CIVII multiplayer,and the expansions 'Fantastic Worlds' and 'Conflicts in Civilzation'. It does contain a single cd and all the appropriate manuals.

My problem is that when I load the game I get the basic CIV II but nothing else. I've browsed the cd, I've searched for .SCN files, and I can't find anything other than the basic game.

The cd is labelled 'the ultimate version of the best selling game.... etc'

The product number in the bottom, centre of the cd is MPX9126ODO1R.

I think that I've either been sold the standard CIV II in the wrong box, or I've got a faulty version of the real thing. Whatever I've got I think I'm stuck with just the basic game, but I'd like to know if I've been unlucky or if I've been had.

To help me decide which, if you have the either standard CIV II or the Ultimate CIV II could you confirm whether the number on your cd matches mine and whether, under the CIVILIZATION II title your cd says it's 'the ultimate version... or not.

Bought a small oil painting of white roses in a vase.

It was signed by Robert Lox so I tried looking him up.

Can find references to a picture e-bay in Souh Africa and another reference on an instant valuation site, but nothing more.

Really surprised 'coz I can usually find more on than this on the net.

Can anyone give or point me towards more information, please?

Also, is my sister's husband's brother's wife my sister-in-law?