I couldn't resist this, even though I now feel guilty because the price is really above the (meagre) budget I've been assigned for indulging my passions. I can only plead that it fits outstandingly in my experimental stove-stock. http//cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6516662424&category=87064 Except that they actually exist, I couldn't find any info at all on Selus stoves. Anyone know any more about them? Jur
I hope you get this one, Jur. Great container, too. I own a Selus brass keroburner. It is a 1 3/4 pint collapsible. The one I have is unfired and is a nice looking stove. It's of standard configuration. It has a tin, which is in perfect condition but is plain blue, with no brand markings or graphics. I only know what you know: the Selus stoves exist. It is especially interesting to see this petrolburner, which is only the second stove of the brand I've seen. I have no more info, and I recall that the operator of the French stove site 2 or more years ago had little information when I enquired. I too would like to hear more about the Selus brand.
Nice score and the price was pretty good. I tried to bid but was refused as I was in the US. I really would have liked to have gotten it. I am glad however that it went to a fellow enthusiast. Send some pics when you get it fired. Hard to find anything on the French stoves as there aren't alot of collectors there that I have run into. Rob
OK Rob, pictures and further info on the stove will follow as soon as I get it. It appears though price could have been half if Ian and I, instead of unknowingly bidding against each other, had agreed beforehand who should have the stove! I'd say this proves a kind of gentleman's agreement might be useful, wherein the first who warns he's after a particular stove gets preference and the others will abstain from bidding - except for those who make it known they want that stove too badly for that. In that case, they and the first claimant might try to make a deal of it (maybe including some side-kicks; who knows?) and if that doesn't work out, well then it'll just be free for all. Jur
On the bidding idea, I don't agree, though it's more or less moot in my case. At least for now: it's been a bit over a year since I bid for any stoves. But I could start up again. Of course, there's nothing wrong with two friends or colleagues agreeing not to bid against each other. (Sellers don't like such agreements, and many of our colleagues here become sellers.) That's the agreement I had with my brother when we were both actively collecting; we'd talk it over when something came up. But first come first served won't work, for an obvious reason: we're from all over the globe, all time zones. There is no "merit" in being first to see a listing, at all. What it boils down to in my opinion is there simply shouldn't be any hard feelings when someone else also wants and bids on a stove.
My feelings on losing a bid to a fellow stovie from this board surprised me. The first time, I was actually happier he won. It was a very pleasant sensation. It's happened twice more with the same result. As a result of those occurences, I seldom bid nearly as aggressively as I have in the past. Don't get me wrong, I still bid on stoves and things I want, just not as aggressively on certain stoves if I recognise the competing bidder. I sniped a really sweet little GPS reciever last month for $52.00 USD shipped. I'd been eyeing the identical unit in a shop new for over $100.00 and had decided to swallow hard, and write the check before I saw the auction on e-bay. Gerry
I've had the same feeling, and I too would back off if the item wasn't something I was really wanting badly. In fact, there were probably only two times that I was in a true "must have" situation anyway. But I'd still bid often where others here were in. If you didn't, at least then, you wouldn't be bidding on many!
Jur winning the little Selus did'nt unduly bother me. win some lose some, and the way we were bidding there was no way we could have known what was about to happen. I hit it with ?41 at 5s to go, then ... I'm glad it didn't happen on a Tito Landi about 3 hours later, though.
Yes, that was some sharp sniping on both sides indeed! Neither would I've minded if the stove had gone to Ian there will always be others. Anyway, now this stove already has a story going with it even before I've actually got it. I expect it to arrive sometime next week and, as I said, will report in detail on it that I owe you at least. Jur
Jur, if along the line you turn up any info on Selus stoves, let us know here. This to me is a mystery brand, and since I have a very nice one I'd like to know more; 'course, most French rechauds are myseries....
The Selus just came in from France but will need a thorough overhaul before it can be lighted. This will take some time, so I'll give a few first impressions now. The Selus' general setup is a bit like a US M-1942's, in so far it too has a pump, folding legs and pansupports. However, the Selus' (brass) tank is slightly larger (higher). The burner- and pansupport-assembly is much simpler (no built in cleaning needle, for instance) and of lesser quality (mostly plain steel, instead of inox). Except for the words 'SELUS' on the fillercap, there are no markings on the stove anywhere. The stove came in its original tin with paper label all round, original instructions, chained key/tool, a paper packet of four prickers (both marked 'Selus' as well), and a few spare parts (including an unused leather pump bucket). The instructions are headed 'r?chaud ? essence "SELUS-CAMPING" pour le voyage l'auto le camping' (meaning selus-camping petrolstove for travel, car, camping) and continue with some characteristics of the stove and instructions on operating. Regrettably, not even the instructions give any clue about the manufacturer and/or age of the stove. From general appearance I would say it's just post WW II, maybe early 1950's. All in all it's a very handsome stove, but its provenance remains largely a mystery. To be continued ... Jur
I know I shouldn't, but your English is as good as mine, Jur. "... four prickers (both marked 'Selus' as well), ..." reminds me of the old chestnut: Mick: What you got in the sack, Paddy? Paddy: Pigs! Mick: If I guess how many there are can I have one of them? Paddy: If you can guess how many there are, you can have 'em both! The stove sounds very nice. I'm looking forward to seeing some action shots.
Mick: What you got in the sack, Paddy? Paddy: Pigs! Mick: If I guess how many there are can I have one of them? Paddy: If you can guess how many there are, you can have 'em both! Reminds me of the two old Down Easter's, Seth and Enos. Seth: "Enos, if ya had two pigs, would ya gimme one?" Enos: "Ayuh, of coahse Ah would." Seth: "Enos, if ya had two sheep would ya gimme one?" Enos: "Ayuh, ya know ah would." Seth: "Enos, if ya had two payahs a' shoes, would ya gimme a payah?" Enos: "Damn you Seth, ya know good and well Ah got two payahs a' shoes ! !" Or the old Swede, Jens. "How much for da fish bait" "I'll sell ya all ya need for a buck, Jens." "Gut, gimme two buck's vorth, den." How did copper wire get invented? Two Norwegian bachelor farmers arguing over a penny. I've got a million of 'em. Gerry
I've been looking for one of those for a while myself. Hard to find with the tin. I've seen a few variants around ebay & on 'net collections. Predominately petrol burners. Like Ed my only example is an unused kero-burner. Thanks for the copper-wire joke Thug, with a small alteration I can use that!
Ian I stand corrected! What I meant is that the paper packet is marked SELUS as well. Or does that make five? Ross but do you have any more info on manufacturer, dates, etc.? To the facts I already gave, I can only add that the tin's label says SELUS on one side (above a picture of the stove), and on the other side 'R?chaud Camping' and 'Made in France' (so the latter in English). Jur
I recall that my Selus keroburner says "Made in France" in English also. I bought it from a California seller that had more than one NIB one, as I remember. Interesant....
Two more http//cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=87064&item=6522821994&rd=1 http//cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32643&item=6168244224&rd=1 Jur
I am having problems trying to remove the burner from the tank on a Selus stove as described above. Has anyone got an view on what kind spanner would be able to get to the retaining nut? regards
