Antique collector invests heavily in rare Edison fan
- Toh Chee Keong, a Singapore antique collector, purchased a fan believed to be linked to Thomas Edison for US$37,500 in 1999.
- The fan features an engraving of a young Edison and an inscription, although the exact origin date remains unclear.
- This artefact has become a source of pride for CK, contrasting with the burden it posed for its previous owner.
In Singapore, Thomas Edison memorabilia has captured the attention of antique collectors, with a particular focus on a unique fan. This electric fan, reputed to be linked to Edison, has been in the possession of collector Toh Chee Keong, known as CK, for over twenty-six years. CK bought the fan in 1999 for US$37,500 from a mysterious seller named James. The fan is engraved with an image of a young Edison and an inscription that suggests its significance as a gift from the New York Edison Company. Despite its impressive provenance, CK faces uncertainty regarding the specific details of the fan's creation, as it may have been designed either around 1892 or shortly after 1901, but conclusive evidence has not been established. This artifact has stirred interest in the antique community, demonstrated by the previous owner's difficulty with constant inquiries from fellow collectors, contrasting sharply with CK's pride in ownership. CK's experience with the auction highlights the excitement and risk involved in collecting valuable artefacts.