"CURIO KING.”

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 April 1937, Page 3

"CURIO KING.”

DEATH IN BLACKPOOL Blackpool recently lost its best-known townsman, “Old Mr Percival, ” the “Curio King,” who had a smile for everyone, residents and visitors alike, as he walked along the streets of the famous English seaside resort. Eli Percival died at his home in Topping street, surrounded by the thousands of treasures which gave him his unofficial title. He had just celebrated his 93rd birthday. Mr Percival’s hobby, almost an obsession, w r as the collecting of curios. His former home in South King street was one of Blackpool’s recognised “sights” for visitors. Almost every part of the globe contributed to his amazing collection. His curios varied in size from diminutive coins to ship’s rudders and stuffed crocodiles. Every day in the holiday season his crockery, mantraps, sundials and innumerable other treasures were on show in his front garden, and visitors lingered before his gate for hours at a time, fascinated by the collection. Inside the house there were hundreds of other relics reputed to be worth many thousands of pounds, with many of which Mr Percival refused to part at any price. His bedroom at one time was so crowded with odd and valuable articles that he slept on a temporary bed at the stairhead. Before moving to Topping street, however, he disposed of several of his heavier possessions. He was a boxing “fan” and gave numerous valuable bells for competition in the Blackpool Tower Circus during the winter months. Mr Percival’s outdoor dress was unique—and expensive. The ‘'buttons” on his jacket and waistcoat were .sovereigns and gold coins of other currencies. Mrs C. M. Tiffen of Waipawa snd her small son, Kenneth John, are visitors to Palmerston North. Mrs Tiffen is the guest of her sister, Miss Shirley Fannin.