I saw a blue boxed Optimus stove advertised locally. It was listed as an “Aptimus 8R”, but as far as I could see it had a built-in pump and was a 111B. It was about a 45 mile drive one way to the seller’s house, and it wouldn’t normally be worth my while to make such a hike, but it just so happened that I was already going to be more than half way there today on another errand, so I asked if I could look at the stove following my first errand, and the seller was willing and available, so… off I drove. Sure enough it was in fact a 111B. It had been listed at $80 originally, but they’d dropped the price recently, and I haggled further, pointing out that given its age it really should have all its seals replaced, so… we closed the deal at $50. Not the cheapest that a 111 has ever been obtained for by a long shot, but I felt a pretty good deal none the less. Then I noticed a bigger blue box on a nearby bench, and jokingly asked “is that the big brother to mine?”, and he said “actually it is, would you like to take a look at it?”, so I said “sure, why not”. I’ve never seen one in person before, but I’ve seen them on ebay going for a pretty penny… it was an Optimus 22B! I asked him if he was getting rid of it too, and he said “I suppose so”, “so how much would you be asking?” “Oh… I guess $60”. So I look it over slowly (to allow my heart rate to drop ) and then I count out what’s in my wallet ($43) and I say, “is there an ATM anywhere nearby?” Fifteen minutes later the deal is done and I’m driving home with a 111B, a 22B, and a smile. Not a bad day.
