Columns

These sought-after sections offer expert auction analysis, cultural commentary, and more, adding depth, variety, and a personal touch to every issue. Columns include Gavels ’n’ Paddles, Psychology of Collecting, The Beat, Pop Culture Collecting, Toys from the Attic, and Civil War Collector.
/ Gavels n Paddles
A Chinese famille rose porcelain vase with the Qianlong mark of the period sold for $504,000 at an Asian Works of Art auction held September 21st by Doyle in New York City.

Chinese famille rose porcelain vase, $504,000, Doyle

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Chinese famille ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
Ansel Adams Yosemite photo

Ansel Adams Yosemite photo print, $38,750, Holabird Western Americana

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium An Ansel Adams ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
American National pedal car, $66,000, Milestone Auctions

American National pedal car, $66,000, Milestone Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium An American National ...
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/ Antique Gifts, Talk of the Trade, Vintage DIY
10 Crafty DIY Antique Holiday Gifts

10 Crafty DIY Antique Holiday Gifts

Working on your holiday gift-giving list? This year, rather than purchasing a mass-produced plastic toy, a high-priced piece of electronic ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
Machine Man Robot, $84,000, Morphy Auctions

Machine Man Robot, $84,000, Morphy Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A circa 1960 ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
Kobe Bryant rookie card, $34,375, Hindman

Kobe Bryant rookie card, $34,375, Hindman Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium BGS 9 Mint, ...
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/ Antiques Peek, brand building, branding
M&M characters over time

M&M’s: Melts In Your Mouth, Not In Your Hands

by Jessica Kosinski There are many fun things you can collect, but branded items are often among the most interesting ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
Gorgosaurus skeleton, $6.1 million, Sotheby’s

Gorgosaurus skeleton, $6.1 million, Sotheby’s

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Gorgosaurus skeleton, ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
Nantucket curlew decoy, $228,000, Copley Fine Art

Nantucket curlew decoy, $228,000, Copley Fine Art

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Harmon Hollow ...
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/ Columns, mourning
The National Museum of Funeral History unveiled its new, highly anticipated George H.W. Bush Memorial Exhibit, honoring the 41st President of the United States and his wife, Barbara Bush.

The National Museum of Funeral History: The Heritage of Death Care

While not a favorite topic for discussion, “death care is one of man’s oldest professions,” according to Robert L. Waltrip, ...
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/ Advertising, branding, David Ogilvy, Maxine Carter-Lome, Talk of the Trade
The History of Brand Advertising

The History of Brand Advertising

While branding is and always has been an essential part of building any successful business, standing out from the crowd ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
An extremely rare 12-cent U.S. postage stamp with a portrait bust of George Washington

Rare 12-cent U.S. postage stamp, $19,520, Holabird Western Americana

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium An extremely rare ...
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/ Antiques Peek, mourning, Promotional Items
A wooden nickel given out by the Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home in Danville, KY, promoting their funeral and ambulance services – and a free cup of coffee! Selling on eBay for $3.95

Posthumous Promotions – Funeral Home Promotional Items

by Jessica Kosinski When it comes to collecting death-related items, a large category on which you may choose to focus ...
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/ Buzz Aldrin, Gavels n Paddles
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s flown Apollo 11 in-flight coverall jacket, worn during the historic 1969 mission to the moon and back,

Buzz Aldrin’s jacket, $2.8 million, Sotheby’s

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium Astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s ...
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/ Autograph, B.B. King, Gavels n Paddles, GIbson Guitar
A Gibson Lucille electric guitar signed by B.B. King,

Signed Gibson guitar, $16,800, Potter & Potter

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Gibson Lucille ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe gown

Marilyn Monroe gown, $218,750, Julien’s Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A gown and ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Tiffany, Tiffany Lamp
A rare, circa 1905-1910 Tiffany Studios Poppy leaded-glass table lamp sold for $541,200 at a Fine & Decorative Arts Auction held June 8-10 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, PA.

Tiffany ‘Poppy’ table lamp, $541,200, Morphy Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A rare, circa ...
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/ mourning, mourning rituals, Talk of the Trade, Victorian mourning rituals
Mourning the Past

Mourning the Past

Every culture - every religion - every person - mourns in their own way. The sentiment behind that expression, however, is ...
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/ Edgar Allen Poe, Gavels n Paddles, Signature
A rare Edgar Allan Poe letter signed and dated Aug. 24, 1846, in which he offers his condolences to a fellow writer, sold for $154,958 in an online auction held April 15-April 22 by RR Auction, based in Boston.

Edgar A. Poe signed letter, $154,958, RR Auction

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A rare Edgar ...
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/ Antiques Peek, Shaker, Shaker Brooms
A Selection of Shaker Brooms from Shaker Museum

A Good Broom and Brush

by Jessica Kosinski If you are looking for furniture that is as useful as it is beautiful, Shaker furniture is ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Star Wars
A Star Wars 1978 “Double Telescoping” Luke Skywalker production action figure, graded AFA 90, one of only two examples graded at that level, sold for $100,252 at a Spring Premier Auction held June 12th by LCG Auctions in New Orleans, LA.

Luke Skywalker figure, $100,252, LCG Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Star Wars ...
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/ clocks and watches, Gavels n Paddles
A gold Omega Speed- master wristwatch, No. 19, one of only 28 made and presented to Apollo 11 moon mission astronaut Michael Collins, circa 1969, sold for $765,000 at a Fine Watches & Timepieces Signature Auction held June 1st by Heritage Auctions in Dallas.

Astronaut’s wristwatch, $765,000, Heritage Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A gold Omega ...
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/ Ann Lee, Enfield, Hancock Shaker Village, Shakers, Talk of the Trade
The Shakers Come to America

The Shakers Come to America

When our children were growing up we lived in western Massachusetts and within an easy drive to two Shaker Village ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Meteorite
1516 A.D. sold for $4,125 at a Minerals Galore & Western Americana auction held June 2-5 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, NV.

288-pound meteorite found in China, $4,125, Holabird Western Americana

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium 1516 A.D. sold ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Rolex
A Rolex Daytona chronograph wristwatch (ref. 6263) slipped onto a new wrist for $90,000 at a Spring Fine Jewelry & Timepieces auction held May 19th by Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, CA.

Rolex Daytona watch, $90,000, Clars Auction

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Rolex Daytona ...
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