They asked for what?! – The John Travolta mask

Cold cases; unusual items; and annoyingly incomplete stories.

#5 The John Travolta rubber mask

 John Travolta mask
Too life-like for some.
I think it looks more like nick-nack
from The man with the Golden Gun

“I am a semi-professional John Travolta impersonator,” began the email. I took my feet off the desk, sensing something wonderful was about to happen. "I would like you to find the item that would make my act complete - a rubber John Travolta mask."

We found the mask (pictured above), but hesitated - surely singing would be difficult? Was this John Travolta act simply a man strutting around the stage to 'Night Fever', or was he the real deal, prone to belting out 'Summer Lovin'" in a T-bird jacket etc.?

"That's good," came the reply, "but it looks a little too much like him. Do you have any others?"

The concept of a semi-pro John Travolta impersonator was interesting to say the least, but one that doesn't actually want to look like John Travolta? We had chills, and they were multiplyin'.

Have you ever seen a JT impersonator? Have you ever seen JT? Replies below, please.

If you have a case for The Thing Detectives, please get in touch through the usual channels.

They asked for what?! – A pistachio nut shelling machine

Cold cases; unusual items; and annoyingly incomplete stories.

#4 the pistachio nut shelling machine

Shelled pistachio nuts.
Delicious, but hidden.

“I am looking for a pistachio shell remover or the plan for one," wrote the owner of a small pistachio orchard in Austrailia, "NOT a pistachio de-huller that removes skins.”

We were later told by a man who knew his nuts that an "economical machine to shell small quantities (i.e., less than a few hundred tons per annum) of pistachio nuts" simply did not exist.

But how could he be so sure? we wondered.

"Do not take my word for this," he said, "you could also spend ten years of searching and visiting the pistachio countries of the world to reach the same conclusion."

It was another brief glimpse of a bigger story - of a man roaming the planet with a pocket full of dreams... and nuts.

Click here for some fun facts about pistachios (in China it is known as 'the happy nut').

If you have a case for The Thing Detectives, please get in touch through the usual channels.

They asked for what?! – Strange cases (II)

Cold cases; unusual items; and annoyingly incomplete stories.

#2 The kingfisher tie

A kingfisher tie, best worn with a blue shirt

“I am looking for a man's tie,” the lady wrote, “material irrelevant BUT it must have a picture of a Kingfisher [the bird] on it at the front!! AND in colour.”

We had to wonder... how many ties are decorated on the back? And how many with Kingfishers that aren't birds?

Do you own a bird-themed tie? Please post your photos below.

If you have a case for The Thing Detectives, please get in touch through the usual channels.

They asked for what?! – Strange cases (I)

Cold cases; unusual items; and annoyingly incomplete stories.

# 1. “A boat-shaped xylophone”


The Ranat Ek, being played suspiciously.

We never did discover why someone from Bolton would want one of these. We found the Ranat Ek, but lost touch with the lady who - and I'm guessing here - is either very keen on boats or percussion.
Where is it now? If you've seen it please get in touch, Chris has a prize for you.

If you have a case for The Thing Detectives, please get in touch through the usual channels.