Every profession has its tools, which evolve and refine to keep pace with technology and the changing needs of the trade. Here are examples of four different vocations and the museums that showcase the collections that tell their story. Medical…
Collecting with Jeff by Jeff Figler Imagine a modern day running back for the Denver Broncos or New York Jets running smack into a 350 pound defensive lineman – with only a leather helmet. That’s a bit hard to believe…
Like Buttah’ Churns by Jessica Kosinski When it comes to tools of the trade in the kitchen, few are more iconic than the butter churn. Today butter churns are mostly decorative. They are still used on some farms, and especially…
by Patrick Leach Renowned Connoisseur of Antique Tools, Owner of Supertool.com featuring “Patrick’s Blood and Gore,” and Purveyor of Fine Used Tools It’s easy to collect tools. They are all over the place. They had to be for America to…
Collecting with Jeff By Jeff Figler As strange as it may sound, advertising signs actually date back to ancient times. There are ancient paintings on the walls of shops in Pompeii. Later, there were signs that hung outside shops of…
A Celebration of Early American Iron by Erik Goldstein, Curator of Mechanical Arts and Numismatics, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation The upcoming exhibition From Forge and Furnace: A Celebration of Early American Iron opens November 24, 2016 at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller…
Comic Character Collectibles By JC Vaughn While our schedule at Gemstone Publishing may change from year to year, we know that one of the fixtures on it will be a trip to Comic-Con International: San Diego. While the New York…
Tools and American Life in the Pilgrim Era By Erica Lome Almost four hundred years ago, Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. This story is often told in classrooms, museums, and tours — and for good reason. Much of the American…
What better way to experience the past than antiquing in Connecticut. Whether you’re on the Connecticut Antiques Trail or off the beaten path, you’ll find shows, shops, flea markets and auction houses along the way worth the stop. UPCOMING ANTIQUE…
Tools of the Trades By Maxine Carter-Lome Eli Whitney is credited as saying “We can’t make anything until we make tools.” That’s the take-away from this month’s issue. Every profession has its tools of the trade, and those tools have…
