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
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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/ 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 ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Mercedes-Benz
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 ...
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/ 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 ...
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/ Fender Mustang, Gavels n Paddles, Kurt Cobain
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 ...
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/ 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 ...
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/ 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 ...
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/ Antique & Collectible News, Columns, Expert Insights, furniture, upholstery
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 ...
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