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.
/ Antiques Peek, grates, old houses
1870s Furnace Register

As Grate As It Gets – Antique Heating Grates

by Jessica Kosinski As someone who lives in an older home, I have a strong appreciation for the charm of ...
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut coupe race car sold for 135 million euros ($142 million) at an invitation-only auction held May 5th by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, $142 million, RM Sotheby’s

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A 1955 Mercedes-Benz ...
/ Talk of the Trade
My Old House Story

My Old House Story

Every old house has a story. Here is mine: In 1998, my husband and I said goodbye to our corporate ...
Kurt Cobain’s 1969 Fender Mustang electric guitar played in the grunge rock group Nirvana’s breakthrough hit and 1991 music video Smells Like Teen Spirit sold for $4.5 million at a Music Icons auction held May 20-21-22 by Julien’s Auctions in New York City. Also, Johnny Cash’s owned and stage-played 1956 Martin model D-21 acoustic guitar hit $437,500; and the pink gown and accessories worn by Madonna in her classic music video Material Girl went for $287,500.

Kurt Cobain guitar, $4.5 million, Julien’s

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium Kurt Cobain’s 1969 ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Oil on board painting by Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1901-1970), titled Black Truck (1967), sold for $326,660 in an online-only Canadiana & Decorative Arts auction held May 14th by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. in New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada.

Maud Lewis oil painting, CA $413,000, Miller & Miller

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium Oil on board ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
A collection of six Newcomb Pottery pieces sold for $11,938 at an Important Estates Auction held May 13-14 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans, LA.

Newcomb Pottery group, $11,938, Crescent City

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A collection of ...
Completed Bench by Leif Johnson

Upholstery Across the Ages

by Leif Johnson, TLC Upholstery, Palmer, MA, interviewed by Judy Gonyeau The true beginnings of upholstery took place in Ancient ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
A U.S. one-cent stamp commemorating the Pan American Exposition of 1901 with an inverted center

U.S. 1901 one-cent error stamp, $5,500, Holabird Western Americana

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A U.S. one-cent ...
/ Talk of the Trade
History Hunting in the Great Outdoors

History Hunting in the Great Outdoors

With the start of summer the antiques trade traditionally moves business outdoors. Fields, fairgrounds, and outdoor venues, dormant through the ...
Circa 1850 “Hourglass” Saratoga trunks (top and right) photo: Paul Norton

One Hundred Years of American Trunk Innovation

By Paul Norton Trunks and travel articles tell a story of adventure and intrigue. The impulse to travel—into town or ...
/ Antiques Peek, Buster Brown
Buster Brown & Tige cast iron still bank c. 1915 made by A.C. Williams in Ravenna, Ohio

Buster Brown Collectibles Bustin’ Out All Over

by Jessica Kosinski Have you ever heard of Buster Brown? If so, you are not the only one. For well ...
/ Talk of the Trade
JOA Cover June 22

Making Fashion History

Every year on the first Monday in May, everybody who’s anybody in the world of fashion and celebrity attends or ...
/ decoy, Gavels n Paddles
Wheeler duck decoys, $216,000, Copley Fine Art

Wheeler duck decoys, $216,000, Copley Fine Art

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A pair of ...
Baird Coca-Cola clock, $17,010, Jeffrey S. Evans

Baird Coca-Cola clock, $17,010, Jeffrey S. Evans

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Baird Chicago-era ...
/ Columns, Courting Chair
John H. Belter Rococo Revival rosewood carved and laminated tête-à-tête, chair ca. 1850-1860

The Courting Chair

by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor When two were courting in early 19th century France, Victorian England, or during America’s Gilded ...
Boba Fett prototype figure, $204,435, Hake’s Auctions

Boba Fett prototype figure, $204,435, Hake’s Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Kenner 1979 ...
Magic: The Gathering card, $45,000, Bruneau & Co.

Magic: The Gathering card, $45,000, Bruneau & Co.

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Magic: The ...
/ Antiques Peek, Lockets
Victorian Locket

Lockets: Holders of Keepsakes and Love

by Jessica Kosinski Love is a beautiful thing. It is so beautiful, in fact, that there are many symbols of ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
BTS Grammy ensembles, $160,000, Julien’s Auctions

BTS Grammy ensembles, $160,000, Julien’s Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium Seven custom-made ensembles ...
The Evolution of Courtship

The Evolution of Courtship

This past March saw new seasons of such fan-favorite period pieces as Bridgerton, The Gilded Age, and Sanditon return to ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Laverne coffee table, $27,060, Neue Auctions

LaVerne coffee table, $27,060, Neue Auctions

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Philip and ...
Restored 1910 Brown Street Clock with a Seth Thomas No.2 auto-winder.

Street Clocks & Their Restoration

By Eric Ryback, restorer and owner, Saint Louis Street Clock Company “I never wore a watch. I always depend on ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Patek Philippe wristwatch, $229,000, Kodner Galleries

Patek Philippe wristwatch, $229,000, Kodner Galleries

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Patek Philippe ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Saint-Gaudens statue of Lincoln, $1.2 million, Skinner Auctioneers

Saint-Gaudens Statue of Lincoln, $1.2 million, Skinner Auctioneers

Results of Recent Auctions From Near and Far by Ken Hall A statue of Abraham Lincoln by Augustus Saint-Gaudens titled ...
Hopi Indian polychrome dish, $9,400, Pook & Pook, Inc.

Hopi Indian polychrome dish, $9,400, Pook & Pook, Inc.

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Hopi Indian Sikyatki ...