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S e c r e t s
The inspiration for this box figurine was Traddles, the Perry’s pet
tortoise. Here, Titan the tortoise celebrate
his 150th birthday. The mouse peeks out above the “Good Luck Son” card.
When the lid is removed,
the interior cavity is shaped like a bassinet. Could the birthday turtle
be planning a family? At the time that
Peter was carving this piece, the space probe, Cassini, was launched
on a scientific mission to Saturn. It uses
the gravity of planets to propel itself towards its final destination
going from planet to planet, hence the inscription
inside the first edition, VVEJGA, meaning Venus, Earth, Jupiter Gravity
Assisted. Version 1 also has the date
and time that the space probe will reach Saturn – 8:30 July 1 2004.
Inside Version 2 are a pair of running shoes.
The interior lid is inscribed with the name of the astronomer who discovered
Saturn’s largest moon Titan in 1655.
Other variations include a screw, a partial screw, or a cigarette lighter
under the table.
Hallmarks include ©, heart, HBC logo, ed.#, and Pc.