Antique Marketplace News

with Jessica Rickman CPPA, Certified Personal Property Appraiser As an appraiser with almost two decades in the world of antiques and collectibles, I’ve seen everything from George Washington inaugural buttons ...

By Amanda Sheriff and J.C. Vaughn Comic book and comic art sales thrived in 2025, setting multiple records for major key books, the work of top artists, and important moments ...

By Shirley M. Mueller, M.D. In recent years, Labubu dolls—quirky, sharp-toothed collectibles sold in sealed “blind boxes”—have become a global sensation. At first glance, they may look like yet another ...

by Barbara Miller Beem It’s February, the shortest month of the year, even though sometimes it feels like the longest one. Outside, the weather is frightful. Inside, the fire is ...

by Laurence Carpenter For much of the twentieth century, scarcity in music memorabilia was accidental rather than designed. Instruments survived by chance, stage costumes were kept or discarded without thought ...

by Douglas R. Kelly There’s a Dutch maker of toy cars that keeps popping up on my radar screen with new (well, vintage) examples of its output. Best I can ...

by Sloane Middleton Mann For many vintage lovers, shopping with your business isn’t just about what you sell. It’s about them seeing you as a trusted source. You might have ...

by Jessica Kosinski There are a lot of cartoon bears out there, and I love them all. Long before I was a writer, I was a classic TV nut with ...

by Jessica Kosinski Antique Hubley “America” Tri-Motor cast iron toy airplane $1,825 (Bids 73, Bidders 21) Antique Hubley “America” Tri-Motor cast iron toy airplane 1920s. “Giant 100 year old cast ...

By Shirley M. Mueller, M.D. Buying something you desire can make your brain glow, literally. Certain regions fire with excitement, anticipation, and reward, turning the object in front of you ...

By Douglas R. Kelly Alright, show of hands: how many of you have finished up a day of antique, artifact, or treasure hunting by bringing your finds into a restaurant ...

by Barbara Miller Beem “You say it’s your birthday? Well, it’s my birthday too, yeah!” Just when you thought you were in for a holiday from the holidays, here it ...

by Amanda Sheriff and J.C. Vaughn The record for the most valuable comic book has been reset. Heritage has sold Superman #1 CGC 9.0—the highest-graded copy of the book—for $9.12 ...

by Jessica Kosinski As a child of the 1980s, I have fond (and not so fond) memories of using rotary telephones. Home phone lines were the norm because, even though ...

As a professional appraiser favoring American antiques and Southern folk art, I recently had the privilege of examining what is unquestionably one of the rarest and most celebrated icons of ...

by Sloane Middleton Mann Instagram has become the go-to platform for vintage shops. But here’s the hard truth: most sellers are using it wrong. Instagram was never built for direct ...

By Lynn Garson, Southern Vapors Excellent example of Sileda Wales cranberry and silver perfume bottle with assay marks, 6 inches tall This article delves into the transformative innovations in antique ...

Story and photos by Donald-Brian Johnson Just for “Daddy,” a gingerbread man with flocked glitter finish visual. Hallmark, 1946. Watch out for that snowball! The “sweet little niece” pictured on ...

By Chris H. Beyer - Copyright 2025 Author’s Coca-Cola tray collection display Coca-Cola® serving trays were issued by the Coca-Cola Company for a period of nearly 70 years to merchandise ...

By Rob Wolfe of American Pickers If the past year has proven anything, it’s this: the antique business is far from slowing down. Auctions have been strong, private buying has ...

by Jessica Kosinski $3,317 (Bids 66, Bidders 25) Amazing rare! Vintage Barbie Bubble Cut Midge Ken Wedding Party Gift Set NRFB. Up for auction is a fantastic, very rare, original ...

By John Sexton Q: I bought this belt and pistol in a tag sale in Stratford, CT, for $300. My wife is upset with me buying it, but I love ...

By Amanda Sheriff and J.C. Vaughn After the usual late summer doldrums, things have definitely heated up in the worlds of comic book, original comic art, and pop culture auctions ...

with Jessica Rickman CPPA, Certified Personal Property Appraiser During a recent estate appraisal, imagine my initial shock when this stunning piece of jewelry from the collection literally stared right back ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Now, where was I? Before I got sidetracked last issue with a visit to the world of Packard, we were digging into Revell’s H-O scale plastic ...

by Barbara Miller Beem Welcome back to The Charm, a monthly look at how to use old things in new ways. And while we’re on the topic of old things, ...

by Sloane Middleton Mann It’s the most wonderful time of the year—especially if you’re selling unique, one-of-a-kind, and easily giftable items. The holidays have the potential to break your sales ...

By Donald-Brian Johnson | All photos courtesy of Lisa Pektor A grouping of the time capsule box and its contents from 1891 around the cornerstone of the “New Bee Hive." ...

by Shirley M. Mueller, M.D. “Look at me,” the large, not-to-be-missed porcelain cried out. And I did. It was not unlike the way cats meow at me in an animal ...

By Amy from 2ndlife.furniture.restoration on YouTube Before After Have you ever wondered how to restore antique furniture and bring it back to life? In this post, I’ll walk you step ...

By Rob Wolfe of American Pickers Walk into any stylish home today, flip through Instagram, or browse a trendy furniture store, and chances are you’ll spot it: sleek wooden sideboards, ...

By Yasmina Greco, Crazy4Me, Reprinted with permission Pixieware from Holt-Howard, Davar, Lefton, and Lipper & Mann There are remarkable individuals with a golden touch, turning everything they touch into treasure, ...

By Shirley M. Mueller, M.D. In the mid-1950s, the United States experienced the emergence of a design movement that would forever shape our visual vocabulary: mid-century modern. Characterized by clean ...

By Amanda Sheriff and J.C. Vaughn One of the things many horror fans enjoy in fright flicks is the spooky atmosphere bolstered by the uncanny, often jarring music composed for ...

by Donald-Brian Johnson During the 1940s and ‘50s, most ceramics and pottery firms were based on the West Coast. Two of the best-loved, however, made Madison, Wisconsin, their home: Ceramic ...

By Jessica Rickman, Certified Personal Property Appraiser Recently, I attended The Nashville Show, a prominent annual antiques show in Middle Tennessee. There, I had the opportunity to examine an original ...

by Jessica Kosinski The phrase "Mid-Century Modern" most often refers to goods produced in the middle of the 20th century. Today, the phrase is how we label a certain type ...

by Barbara Miller Beem If you could see me right now, you’d find me hunched over a laptop. I’m in my dining room, and I’m seated on a chair that ...

by Sloane Middleton Mann Let’s be honest: posting product photos on Instagram isn’t a marketing strategy. It’s a hope and a prayer. If you’ve been using social media as a ...

by Tamara White Estate sales are the one place where the saying “One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure” holds true. These sales offer the chance to find valuable items ...

Estate sales are more than a way to clear out a home — they’re curated snapshots of a life, where every object has a story and potential value. For buyers, ...

by Shirley M Mueller, MD In a nutshell: Though many collectors try to de-access their collections before death, this often does not happen. If sold at an estate sale handled ...

The real hidden gems are often tucked away in unexpected places. By Nicole Letts https://www.southernliving.com/reasons-to-check-closets-at-estate-sales-11748953 Kimberly Murstein and her grandmother, Gail Palm Beach residents Kimberly Murstein and her grandmother, Gail, ...

by Jessica Kosinski If you are an avid collector like me, you have probably been to many estate sales over the years. My collectibles of choice tend to be various ...

By J.C. Vaughn: President of Gemstone Publishing and Amanda Sheriff: Gemstone’s Editor-Digital. PopCultureSquad.com’s Bob Harrison also contributed to this column. In the early 1980s, there was an explosion of independent—generally ...

browsing through clothing at an estate sale ...

I found this antique apothecary cabinet in a local optician’s shop and immediately had the feeling it carried an incredible history. I couldn’t resist uncovering its story while bringing it ...

By Donald-Brian Johnson A pennant to make sure honeymooners didn’t forget their visit to New York’s Niagara Falls. They fluttered from the lances of medieval knights, as horses thundered into ...

By Jessica Kosinski There is something magical about the bold lines and vibrant colors of vintage National Park posters. These posters, especially those created under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) ...

by Shirley M. Mueller, M.D. In modern life, with its high-speed internet, AI exposure, and stress-ridden workplaces, we rarely take the time to relax. But what if the antidote to ...

“50 Nifty Finds #12: Glamping Gear.” U.S. Department of the Interior. Last modified January 30, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/50-nifty-finds-12-glamping-gear.htm. The word “glamping” was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016 ...

Article by the National Park Service, nps.gov Welcome to a journey through time as we explore the rich history and significance of national parks in America. From the early days ...

Reprinted with permission from Wardrobe Shop, www.wardrobeshop.com Vintage accessories have become all the rage once again, thanks to the change in consumer attitudes toward buying and wearing second-hand goods. The ...

By Sloane Middleton Mann. Sloane is the founder of Business of Vintage, the world’s only marketing agency specializing in vintage and antique shops.  Follow @business.of.vintage on Instagram for vintage marketing tips ...

by Laurence Carpenter Vintage music is having a moment – and not just in playlists. We’re seeing a resurgence in vinyl, the return of needle-dropped nostalgia, and a spike in ...

By Judy Gonyeau The craze for vintage continues to rev up the popularity of reclaimed goods, regardless of if the buyer is young or old. However, it is not a ...

By Ashley G Garner There’s nothing quite like the thrill of hunting for vintage treasures in the fields of Brimfield, Massachusetts. As one of the largest and most famous antique ...

by Jessica Kosinski If you love jewelry with a story, character, and a bit of history, vintage jewelry collecting might be the perfect hobby for you. Whether you're drawn to ...

By Jessica Kosinski When talking about summer fun, there are certain activities that instantly come to mind: swimming, camping, biking, and more. In between those sun-soaked adventures, everyone has to ...

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about the slow, rhythmic hum of a vintage electric fan. Before central air conditioning became standard, these elegant machines stood as the ultimate symbol of summertime relief. Today, ...

Inspired by a personal essay circulated initially in a 2014 Article “Kitchen Collectibles: Ice Cream Freezers” by Diana Bulls, this article has been updated with verified historical references, expanded historical context, and ...

Content from Antiques Arena, antiquesarena.com. Used with permission.  Edited by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor, Journal of Antiques Glass, a material celebrated for its beauty and durability, is not immune to ...

For antique enthusiasts, summer marks the beginning of an exhilarating season packed with opportunities to uncover hidden gems. Picture the quaint fields of New England, where charming local fairs revive ...

By Shirley M. Mueller, M.D. Music memorabilia—especially vinyl records—serves as more than a nostalgic nod to the past. For many collectors, it is an intricate, deeply personal, and socially meaningful ...

By Laurence Carpenter, Music Memorabilia Expert From vintage concert posters to stage-used guitars, music memorabilia has long captured the hearts of collectors. But a new format is quietly gaining traction ...

Falmouth, MA - Highfield Hall & Gardens is proud to welcome back the College Women's Association of Japan (CWAJ) Contemporary Japanese Print Show this summer. As the exclusive U.S. venue ...

by Rob Wolfe At the turn of the 20th century, music took a revolutionary turn with the introduction of records, first made from shellac and later from vinyl. These early ...

A once-in-a-generation collection of materials related to Hans Christian Andersen—the Danish author renowned for his timeless fairy tales that have shaped literary history and inspired cultural phenomena across generations—will be ...

by Douglas R. Kelly All of the debate surrounding the U.S. government’s potential elimination of the penny—a coin with a long and illustrious history—ignores what I think might be the ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Ironing vintage toy boxes and writing about the process in the February issue of the Journal got me thinking about some of the other boxes on ...

by Rob Wolfe of American Pickers Among the many categories of collectibles I encounter, one that stands out for historical significance and nostalgic appeal is breweriana. This niche area of ...

Every year, Asheford Institute of Antiques takes a marketplace sampling of 'what's hot and what's not' by surveying its over 2,659 current students and past graduates actively employed or working ...

by Laurence Carpenter  In the world of music memorabilia, there’s a common misconception that collecting is reserved for the wealthy or seasoned enthusiasts who can spend six figures on an ...

By Douglas R. Kelly On the annoyance scale, there are probably worse things than a creased/wrinkled/crumpled box. I just can’t think of any at the moment. Finding a great vintage ...

by Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher When it comes to Civil War memorabilia, John Sexton is the go-to guy. His decades as a consultant and independent appraiser of Civil War memorabilia make ...

Cookie jars have been kitchen staples for decades. Most of us grew up with one – the kitschier the better - and have fond memories of what could be found ...

by Rob Wolfe of American Pickers  For centuries, collecting religious artifacts and iconography has been a pursuit that transcends time, geography, and personal beliefs. These objects often hold profound significance ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Best to get this out in the open, right off the bat: I’m not a rubber toy person. Over the years, I’ve owned a total of ...

by Rob Wolfe Christmas is a time to create memories, gather with family, and—let’s be honest—for many of us, it’s a time to decorate to the nines. And for a ...

by Douglas R. Kelly When my editor, Judy Gonyeau, pinged me a while back and told me that toy sleds might make for a fun topic for this Holiday issue of ...

Asheford Institute of Antiques, an internationally recognized and industry-accredited instructional curriculum involving the study of antiques, vintage items, collectibles, estate sale liquidations, and professional-level appraising services, is also known for ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Given the time and energy we spend pursuing antiquities and artifacts, it’s kind of surprising to me that we have a tendency to give short shrift ...

by Laurence Carpenter In recent months, the music world has been abuzz with news of an Oasis reunion. This long-anticipated event not only rekindles the flame of nostalgia for fans ...

With holiday breaks coming up, there's no better time to visit a museum, many decked out for the winter season. According to a figure released in 2024 by the Institute ...

by Rob Wolfe of American Pickers The antiques market is an ever-shifting landscape with new market entrants, ever-changing trends on what’s in and what’s out, and new ways of monitoring the ...

One of the most beloved aspects of antiquing, collecting, and thrifting is what we collectors call “the hunt”; knowing that your next great find is still out there just waiting ...

Whether you want to earn extra cash, grow your wealth, or diversify your portfolio, investing in collectibles is an exciting and fun alternative to traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, or ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Louis Marx is never far from my mind. I didn’t know the man, but his company made so many cool and wonderful toys in the 1930s, ...

By Rob Wolfe In the early 1960s people around the world were fascinated with imagining the future that technology could bring. There were many real and Hollywood-created reasons for this ...

This past June, both Barron’s and Kiplinger ran features touting sports collectibles as a winning investment. The Barron’s article, titled “Sports Collectibles Can Be a Winning Investment,” cited a 1952 ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Seems to me it doesn’t get much better than going on a summer vacation. This year, with family and job commitments, mine has been limited to ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Science fiction movies made during the 1950s are among life’s greatest pleasures for at least two reasons. One, we didn’t know as much—as individuals or as ...

On Friday, July 26th, all eyes turned to Paris and the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Over the next 16 days, athletes from 206 countries will participate ...

by Rob Wolfe of American Pickers I’ve always loved signs. They can tell you so much about the history of a place, an industry, a specific time period, and more ...

Elephant ivory has been exported from Africa and Asia for millennia with records going back to the 14th century BCE. During the 18th & 19th centuries, ivory decorative objects were ...

by Douglas R. Kelly My great friend of many years, Renny Schoonmaker, likes to call these kinds of things “go-with items.” These are the displays, the ads, and the accessories that ...

By Shirley M. Mueller, M.D. Most collectors acquire their treasures through traditional methods – purchasing from dealers or at auctions that specialize in physical items within their areas of interest ...

In May of 2021, eBay consolidated its categories, requiring sellers to use Item Specifics (product attributes) to ensure buyers can find their listings. This change required sellers to “abandon perfectly ...

by Douglas R. Kelly If there’s an alternate me in a parallel universe, he may just be a  milkman doing his rounds in a Divco milk truck. Not that I’m a ...

Shopping at flea markets, garage sales, and thrift shops can be fun and exciting, but it can also be overwhelming when you are confronted with “stuff” everywhere the eye can ...

by Cal Hackeman, Treasurer, Stretch Glass Society American iridescent stretch glass brings color and excitement to your home entertaining and provides just the perfect splash of color when decorating your ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Hubleys have been pushing their way onto my radar screen lately. Over the years, I’ve more or less pursued the Pennsylvania-based toy maker’s “Real Toys” series ...

by Laurence Carpenter In my time as a professional music memorabilia dealer, I have committed myself to exclusively handling pieces of the utmost provenance and authenticity. This decision was grounded ...

Every year, the research staff at Asheford Institute of Antiques surveys its community of over 2,470 current students and past graduates who are actively employed or working within the antiques, ...

Happy New Year! We hope the passing of 2023 brings you health and happiness in the new year. As collectors, each new year brings the items we love to collect ...

Although the Journal focuses its editorial on antiques and “antique collectibles,” items in the range of 50 years or older, we often look at what’s “hot” in the collectibles market ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Most people familiar with automotive history know that Henry Ford’s Model T put America on wheels. In fact, the T changed the course of history, being ...

by Charles Snider for Ruby Lane An antique or vintage gift can be one of the most treasured and appreciated gestures for the holidays. An antique or vintage gift is ...

Each New Year is marked by change and defined by trends. As we wrap up our editorial year for 2023, we can’t help but look forward, which next year is ...

What could be more special than a holiday gift selected from the past? At Christmas time, the shelves of antique shops are filled to the brim with not only holiday-themed ...

In our pages and in my columns I write a lot about the Brimfield Antique Shows, mostly because the shows are in our ‘backyard’ here in Sturbridge where our office ...

by Charles Snider, Ruby Lane Customer Service I had the privilege of being at one of the closing parties at the famous luxury jewelry Henri Bendel boutiques on New York’s ...

From our favorite Disney heroes and villains to fan art that shows new aspects of the films and shows we have come to know and love, the wonderful world of ...

by Charles Snider, Ruby Lane Customer Service A classic story about collectible toys and the market for toys is often a variation of someone rummaging through their parents’ home basement ...

“Estate,” “vintage” and “antique” jewelry have always been popular finds at antique shows, shops and markets but now it’s more than just collectors buying up special pieces from our not-too-distant ...

by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor Simeon Lipman is a lifelong pop culture, film, music, art, history, and sports enthusiast, who has been appraising collections, curating auctions and exhibitions, and coordinating ...

I am sure, like me, you have been hearing a lot about AI – Artificial Intelligence. Artificial intelligence leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human ...

RubyLane.com made its online debut in 1998, a quarter of a century ago! The idea for building a robust, user-friendly platform for the buying and selling of antiques and vintage ...

1. 1940s Mid-Century Modern Art Deco Waterfall Dresser With Mirror, restored with Howard Restor-A-Finish a. Pieces like this can be purchased at garage sales, thrift shops, and antique stores (Usually ...

 by Douglas R. Kelly American toys that are made in Asia are nothing new. Over the last 35 years, many American producers have switched production to China. Before that, Japan and ...

by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor On the left, is a delicate portrait of a beautiful young girl. She may look a bit on the yellow side – what some may ...

You can always spot a sports fan in the crowd - whether at the stadium or on the street – because they’ll be the one sporting head-to-toe branded attire that ...

I recently read an article in Psychology Today by Dr. Shirley M. Mueller that got me thinking about my own experiences and others I have heard from; a side of ...

by Charles Snider, Ruby Lane From being one of the most popular dolls and toys in the world in the 1950s, to being the star of a feature film in ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Strange, but I don’t remember ever owning a piggy bank. What I did have growing up was a plastic bassett hound bank, which I’ve since learned ...

If you are someone who frequents annual outdoor antiques and vintage markets, no doubt you are seeing a shift, like I am, in the age and intent of show-goers and ...

by Sunseria Morgan, Jewelry Curator, rubylane.com Diamonds have not always been the bright shiny sparkling jewels that we know and love today. For centuries diamonds remained uncut in their natural ...

On May 6, the world tuned in to watch King Charles III and his wife, Camilla, crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom. In the months leading up to ...

By Douglas R. Kelly There’s an old saying among collectors that is more than just an old saying: “It’s not so much the toys/paintings/table clocks that matter … it’s the ...

By Glass Specialist Peter Wade It’s a beautiful, sunny day and you decide to go out for a ride and stop by an estate sale. You find a lovely piece ...

There was a time when no respectable casserole or Jell-O salad was served in anything but a brightly colored piece of Pyrex glassware — and every cupboard was stacked high ...

by Douglas R. Kelly Who doesn’t like winning prizes? Real prizes, that is, the good stuff … a jumbo stuffed animal at the carnival, or a cool treasure you pull ...

by Sunseria Morgan, Jewelry Curator, rubylane.com Czech Glass Jewelry The art of Czech glass production dates back centuries and is deeply rooted in the country’s cultural traditions. The land in ...

Every year, the research staff at the Asheford Institute of Antiques conducts an informal survey among its over 2,264 current students and past graduates to report on current market trends ...

By Amanda Sheriff, Gemstone Publishing Collecting movie posters is plain and simply a fun hobby that expresses the love for a film and appreciation for art. From an advertising standpoint, ...

by Charles Snider Happy Oscar Season! These days movie buffs or families can watch most of the films nominated for Best Picture from the comfort of their own homes.; however, ...

by Douglas R. Kelly You’d think I’d know better by now. I’ve been hunting and grooving on vintage toys for more than 40 years, and I’ve learned my share of ...

Over the past few years, I have written a number of columns and shared the perspectives and advice of others chronicling the rise of vintage fashion and the resale trade ...

If you are a history lover, no doubt museums are a favorite haunt. The following list of Top 10 Bucket List History Museums comes from a December 31, 2022 article ...

by Sunseria Morgan, Jewelry Curator, RubyLane.com Art Nouveau Jewelry. Emerging like the first wildflower in spring from a meadow of melting snow, slowly unfolding its petals to unveil new life, ...

Are you one of these people who has been holding on to items or collections from your children’s childhood or your own because you believe that one day they will ...

Did you know that August 17, 2022, was National Thrift Store Day? News to me. According to NARTS, The Association of Resale Professionals, there are currently more than 25,000 resale, ...

Anyone who has had to help a family member move or downsize, or been left with the responsibility of emptying an estate, knows the heartache of making the hard decisions: ...

After what seems like years physically distanced from the shows and markets that make antiquing and collecting such an exciting and engaging hobby, shows and buyers are back! This turnout ...

Small, independent businesses in towns across America are once again feeling the effects of a changing economic climate brought about by a confluence of challenges. This past June in an ...

Over the last 25 years since the first Star Wars movie hit theaters, legions of fans around the world have followed the tales and memorable characters associated with each new ...

Are you familiar with the term “fast fashion?” If not, you should be. It’s the hottest trend in the apparel industry today and it’s coming to a thrift store near ...

by Leif Johnson, TLC Upholstery, Palmer, MA, interviewed by Judy Gonyeau The true beginnings of upholstery took place in Ancient Egypt. Animal skins and dressed leather was stretched across a ...

By Paul Norton Trunks and travel articles tell a story of adventure and intrigue. The impulse to travel—into town or overseas—required bringing along one’s necessities. As 18th and 19th century ...

Over the last 25 years since the first Star Wars movie hit theaters, legions of fans around the world have followed the tales and memorable characters associated with each new ...