Craigslist: A fine piece of Africa

A fine piece of Africa - AED1 (Toronto, Canada)

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Reply to: sale-t9ckd-1125008693@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}
Date: 2009-04-16, 6:36PM GST

This antique Bamoun King's bed was carved in Cameroon( Africa). This bed was carved for the Baka king in Central Africa. The baka pigmies live in the rain forest of Cameroon, Gabon, Central Africa and Congo. Pigmies are generally about 30'' tall and their main activity is hunting. They live in perfect symbiose with nature. The bed is made of solid wood and is 54'' long, 20" wide and 16" tall. You may notice that the bed is a bit long for a pigmy, the reason is the king believe that by sleeping on a longer bed he will be taller than his people. There are 24 carvings of pigmies on each side of the bed for a total of 28. The faces of the pigmies is reminiscent of the movie ET of Steven Spielberg which is appropriate because there are legends of alien paying visit to pigmies.

I will take offer of the highest bid
Shipping will be extra depending on location.

• Location: Toronto, Canada
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1125008693

Roger Podacter

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A fine piece of Africa - AED1 (Toronto, Canada)
11 messages

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Roger Podacter	Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 10:21 AM
To: sale-t9ckd-1125008693@craigslist.org
Good day friend, I really like your Craigslist posting. Do you have any idea of the age of the piece? Thanks, Roger

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Mamadou Diop	Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 12:25 PM
To: rogerpodacter66@gmail.com
Hello Roger, Thanks for your interest in the pigmy bed. I have this piece for 7 years now and i was planning to keep it for much longer. I bought it from the daughter a missionary priest who served in Central Africa in early 60's. I believe that this piece is at least 70 years and may be longer. It is in good shape because it has aged well. I am still receiving offers and i am sure it will sell this month. Please let me know what you think. Best regards, Mamadou Diop Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:21:37 -0400 Subject: A fine piece of Africa - AED1 (Toronto, Canada) From: rogerpodacter66@gmail.com To: sale-t9ckd-1125008693@craigslist.org ** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY ** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home ** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping ** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html [Quoted text hidden] this message was remailed to you via: sale-t9ckd-1125008693@craigslist.org Windows Live Messenger makes it easier to stay in touch - learn how!

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Roger Podacter	Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 12:39 PM
To: Mamadou Diop
Mamadou, It definitely looks very unique, but I question how comfortable it would be as a bed. I can't believe it was made over 70 years ago, surely it would have had some kind of mattress paired with it. It looks to be wood on the top, and that would hardly be comfortable. Being that it is only 20" wide I highly doubt my 16 year old son would be able to use it. But, I still may be interested in purchasing it for my 10 month old daughter. She is much smaller and currently cannot speak, so I wouldn't have to listen to complaints about the discomfort. How much are you currently asking? Sincerely, Roger [Quoted text hidden]

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Mamadou Diop	Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 5:41 PM
To: rogerpodacter66@gmail.com
Hi Roger. Yes your 10 month old will not be able to complaint about but you may here her crying...Well you are right it is made of wood. In Africa they would put some animal skin to make it confortable or leaves. This piece can be use however as a coffee table. It is decorative. I have receive few offers and the most i got is $4,600. I know this is worth a lot more but i have to sell because i need the money. Where are you located? regards, Mamadou Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:39:53 -0400 Subject: Re: A fine piece of Africa - AED1 (Toronto, Canada) From: rogerpodacter66@gmail.com To: kabess7@hotmail.com [Quoted text hidden] Tell the whole story with photos, right from your Messenger window. Learn how!

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Roger Podacter	Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 8:08 AM
To: Mamadou Diop
Mamadou, $4,600 seems like quite a lot for an uncomfortable toddler bed. I searched on eBay for "toddler bed" and I found that the vast majority of them were around 99 cents, but some were pricier. There were a few bassinets around the $300 range. Many of these also had very cool cartoon characters decorating their sides, which my daughter would probably be more fond of, instead of the alien skulls on your toddler bed. Right now I am living in my parents's basement in a small ranch in Sacremento. I was living upstairs in a bedroom, but a recent career change has forced me to relocate to the basement. I was working as a Customer Service Architect at McDonald's, but I recently opened my own homemade finger tassle decoration business. Are you willing at all to go any lower than $4600? We may even be able to work out some sort of trade involving your toddler bed and my finger tassles. Regards, Roger [Quoted text hidden]

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Mamadou Diop	Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 11:34 AM
To: rogerpodacter66@gmail.com
Hello Roger, Thanks for your reply again. I think you don't understand this piece because this is not a toddler bed. I will in fact advise you to get a very comfortable bed because this one will not be good at all for your toddler. My bed is pricier because it is a piece of art and history. I got few offers from collectors and art dealers, and few private people just like you. I am holding on because i know that it will sell. I know you are in transition, therefore it will be silly to invest in such pricy piece. I wish you the best in your business. regards, mamadou Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:08:40 -0400 [Quoted text hidden] Internet Explorer 8 makes surfing easier. Get it now!

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Roger Podacter	Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 12:54 PM
To: Mamadou Diop
Mamadou, I don't think you understand. A well constructed toddler bed is extremely difficult to find. Your toddler bed seems to have stood the test of time and still looks to bed in tremendous shape. Also, I don't find it silly to invest in a $4,600 toddler bed for my little Harriett. She is a princess and deserves nothing but the finest toddler bed that the finger tassel business can provide. Do you call raking in $400 a week being "in a transition phase"? I just got back from Starbucks, where I bought a cappuccino for $4.87. I gave the girl a crisp five dollar bill, winked and walked straight out of the store. I can afford to do those kinds of things when business is booming. I am sorry if I come across as being rude, but I am offended with your views on my situation. Now please level with me, what is the highest bid you have received so far? Regards, Roger [Quoted text hidden]

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Mamadou Diop	Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 1:04 PM
To: rogerpodacter66@gmail.com
Hey Roger, I totally agree with you that Harriett deserves the best that is available out there. I would do the same for my daughter but i don't have any. I understand what you want but i right i have a collector in Dubai who is ready to pay $4600.00. I know it is way out there but i will give you this bed if you come up with $4000.00. I am heading to Africa in May and i need the cash. Best regards, Mamadou Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:54:24 -0400 [Quoted text hidden] Create a cool, new character for your Windows Live™ Messenger. Check it out

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Roger Podacter	Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 1:31 PM
To: Mamadou Diop
Mamadou, I must be honest with you. My finger tassel decoration business is a farce, and I never worked as a Customer Service Architect for McDonald's. I am 36 years old, unemployed and a registered sex offender. I had to go door to door in my parents' neighborhood and introduce myself and my condition to each and every neighbor. However, I do have a daughter named Harriett, a 16 year old son named Glen, $9,000 in my bank account and I really am interested in purchasing your African toddler bed. But upon showing Harriett a picture of the bed she began to cry. I am assuming this is because of the freaky alien skulls that line its sides. I then showed her one of the 99 cent eBay toddler beds decorated with Sponge Bob characters and she was smiling like a cheetah stalking a 10 year old boy. At this point I think the only solution for you is too either go to a store and buy some stickers to decorate the bed or you could carve smiles onto the faces of the alien skulls. I just don't see any other way to make everyone involved in this transaction happy. I would be willing to scan some images of Disney characters that she likes and send them along to you to use as a reference. If you feel that you cannot honor this request, I will be left no other choice but to open an eBay account, wait 6 more days and purchase the Sponge Bob toddler bed for 99 cents. Cordially, Roger [Quoted text hidden]

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Mamadou Diop	Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 2:43 PM
To: rogerpodacter66@gmail.com
All the best Roger, This isn't for you. Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:31:25 -0400 [Quoted text hidden]

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Roger Podacter	Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 2:46 PM
To: Mamadou Diop
Thank you Mamadou, I think we should both cancel our transaction. I have decided to keep the current crib for Harriett and begin my search for a coffee table. If you have any coffee tables you are looking to sell or if you know a human who is selling one, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you, Roger [Quoted text hidden]

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