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Extensive Model Ships, Aircraft, Trains, and Toys Estate Liquidation

Posted 04-08-2008

The Old World Trader closed shop in December 2007. However, a long-time customer and friend recently passed away, and we are assisting the family with the liquidation of an extensive collection of hand-made model ships, model planes, trains, and toys. This collection includes hundreds of pieces, ranging from recent to antique and souvenirs to hand-crafted works of art. Please e-mail doyle@theoldworldtrader.com for more information.

The Old World Trader is Rolla's history store, and a whole lot more. Originally conceived as a rare maps and manuscripts shop, The Old World Trader has evolved to offer a much broader range of products. Today, you will find our inventory is divided into several general categories:

Authentic Artifacts
Our range of artifacts includes weapons, pottery, implements, and coins ranging from hundreds to thousands of years old. We focus primarily on classical civilizations and occassionally offer some precolumbian American Indian artifacts as well. You can generally find authentic ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Indus Valley, Byzantine, medieval European, Chinese, and other artifacts to choose from. We also offer an assortment of antique to ancient jewelry.
• Rare Maps and Manuscripts
  While our initial inventory consisted primarily of maps and botanical prints at least 200 years old, we have broadened our inventory to include original historic maps from periods as recent as the Vietnam War. Original maps and manuscripts can be invaluable to people researching genealogy or other history. Our oldest original manuscripts are several hundred years old. We also offer reproduction maps that are invaluable to historians and genealogists.

• Natural History
  This is our newest section, and it is a dramatic expansion of the small selection of fossils we used to carry. When we select fossils, we like to choose those that do not require labels for most people to know they are fossils. We like clear specimens, and we really like them big. We are not a rock shop, but we generally offer some nice mineral specimens too. At the time of this writing, we have specimens ranging from inexpensive trilobite souvenirs to a very rare five foot long othoceras specimen. We also offer museum-quality casts of prehistoric creatures and hominids. Kids enjoy the Eyewitness Kits that allow them to cast and paint their own specimens. Finally, the large collection of framed exotic arachnids, butterflies, other insects and mammal skeletons is fascinating to adults and children alike.

• History Books
  We are a Rolla bookstore that loves history. We offer the best selection of history books in the area. By "best" we mean lots of titles and the kinds of titles you will not find elsewhere in the area. Subjects tend to be more highly focused on particular periods, places, or events in history. We always stock titles extending from ancient history to American history, and everything in between. Special attention goes to ancient civilizations and the Holy Land. We also like things from the 15th to 18th centuries in Europe.

• Telescopes and Optics
  The study of the world and universe around us demands magnification. We can provide you with the right tools for the beginner or the advanced user. The Old World Trader is an authorized dealer of optical products by Orion Telescopes and Binolculars and Konus Optical Systems. We only offer quality optics on quality mounts. Anything less can stifle or kill the enthusiasm of a beginner. Doyle is an amateur astronomer himself and loves to talk about optics and astrophotography. It is important that you get the right scope the first time. Let us help you select the right scope for your needs and interests.

• Chess Sets
  The Old World Trader has one of Missouri's largest selections of fine chess sets. We rarely stock less than dozens of styles, and we focus on quality sets and accessories. You will also find chess clocks, tournament supplies, and other accessories. At the time of writing this, we have examples from Egypt, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Italy, India and more. Most of our sets range from $40 to $400. If you are interested in something truly spectacular, we can get world-class luxury sets as well.

• Exotic Gifts
  Inventory constantly changes, but we like handicrafts from other parts of the world. Thuya (thouia) wood boxes from Morocco, Egyptian blown glass perfume bottles and mother of pearl boxes, ebony carvings from Kenya, Russian nesting dolls and lacquer boxes, and many more exotic gifts can be found at The Old World Trader. We are Rolla's imported gift shop.

• The Frame Shop Gallery
  This is not actually part of The Old World Trader. We operate within the same space as The Frame Shop Gallery and Home Decor. This is a perfect match for us. A properly mounted, framed and displayed manuscript or artifact is well protected, and nobody in the area does a better job of conservation framing than The Frame Shop Gallery. Their extensive experience with artifacts and rare manuscripts sets them apart from other framers. We have relied on them to protect our finest personal pieces for years. When you purchase something from The Old World Trader and then walk it over to their framing counter on the same day, The Frame Shop will discount your custom framing project by 20%. It is also important to note they also offer an extensive inventory of original art and limited prints as well as fun things for the home. Our two combined inventories give visitors much more to look at. Finally, The Frame Shop Gallery is also home to Prewett's Stonydell Photography Studio. Erica Prewett does portrait photography in the studio or on site, by appointment.

Rolla is within an hour and a half of St Louis, Springfield, Columbia, and Jefferson City. We are only a short drive from Fort Leonard Wood. We recently moved from our old location by the Forum Cinemas movie theater.