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
Astronaut Gene Cernan’s Apollo 17 cuff checklist, which provided instructions for man’s last moonwalk (in 1972), and held handwritten notes for the last words spoken from the surface of the Moon, sold for $744,000 in an auction held Sept. 26-Oct. 21 by RR Auction in Boston.

Apollo 17 cuff checklist, $744,000, RR Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium Astronaut Gene Cernan’s Apollo ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
Gavels 'n' Paddles: Galle cameo glass vase, $6,600, Woody Auction

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Galle cameo glass vase, $6,600, Woody Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A 9 3/4 inch-tall ...
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/ Antiques Peek
The Superelectric Toaster

Antiques Peek: Shine On

by Jessica Kosinski Every period in history had its trends and things it was known for. The Art Deco period ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
Tiffany Dragonfly lamp, $150,000, Heritage Auctions

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Tiffany Dragonfly lamp, $150,000, Heritage Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Tiffany Studios leaded ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
Lincoln signed check, $35,255, RR Auction

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Lincoln signed check, $35,255, RR Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A check signed by ...
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/ 1925 Paris Exposition, Art Deco, Miami Beach, Talk of the Trade
Celebrating Art Deco in the 21st Century

Celebrating Art Deco in the 21st Century

While design and fashion are sometimes difficult to define and assign to an era, Art Deco is one style that ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
John Wayne revolver, $517,500, Rock Island

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: John Wayne revolver, $517,500, Rock Island

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium The revolver used by ...
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/ Antiques Peek
19th Century Cut Glass Bourbon Decanter

Antiques Peek – Bourbon: The Gentleman’s Choice

by Jessica Kosinski It is impossible to talk about the gentlemen of the 19th and early 20th century without conjuring ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
1790 tall case clock, $92,250, Pook & Pook

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 1790 tall case clock, $92,250, Pook & Pook

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A rare, circa 1790 ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Louis Marx toy motorcycle, Milestone Auctions
Louis Marx toy motorcycle, $22,800, Milestone Auctions

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Louis Marx toy motorcycle, $22,800, Milestone Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A Louis Marx & ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, Weiss Auctions
A rare American Flyer G. Fox & Co. S gauge toy boxcar train, from a limited production set made in 1946, sold for $18,975 in a two-day, online-only Toy & Train auction held Aug. 11-12 by Weiss Auctions in Lynbrook, NY

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: American Flyer boxcar, $18,975, Weiss Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A rare American Flyer G. Fox & Co. S gauge ...
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/ Talk of the Trade
December 2021: Stylin’ in the 19th Century

December 2021: Stylin’ in the 19th Century

We often hear the word “dandy” applied to wealthy, fastidiously dressed, 19th-century gentlemen unduly devoted to themselves, their image, and ...
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/ Andrew Jones, Gavels n Paddles, Munnings equestrian works
Munnings equestrian works, $662,500, Andrew Jones

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Munnings equestrian works, $662,500, Andrew Jones

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium A pair of paintings ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles
Johnny Ramone guitar, $937,500, RR Auction

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Johnny Ramone guitar, $937,500, RR Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall All prices include the buyer’s premium The Mosrite Ventures II ...
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/ Columns, fountain pens, Heritage House, Parker Pens
1910 Saturday Evening Post advertisement for the Lucky Curve pen, Parker’s second patented pen.

Great Collections: The Parker Pen Archive at Heritage House

Back in 1888, George Safford Parker (1863-1937) was working part-time as a seller and repairman of fountain pens. As he ...
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/ Antique Desks, Talk of the Trade, writing tables
A Lesson on the History of Desks

A Lesson on the History of Desks

If you are one of those people who feel ‘any surface will do,’ then it might be hard to understand ...
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/ Antiques Peek, Columns
1848 Paperweight made by Baccarat

Antiques Peek: Decorate Your Desk

by Jessica Kosinski When talking about collectibles related to writing, it is impossible to ignore the topic of paperweights. Before ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, Route 32 Auctions
An Evinrude porcelain flange sign with excellent gloss and color, rated 8.9, 21 inches by 18 1/2 inches, sold for $30,750 at the Iowa Gas Auction held Aug. 5-6 by Route 32 Auctions in Des Moines, Iowa

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Evinrude porcelain sign, $30,750, Route 32 Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall An Evinrude porcelain flange sign with excellent gloss and color, ...
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/ Antique Marketplace News, autographs, Autopen Signature, Columns, Expert Insights, Exploring Antique Technologies, Kary Pardy
This 2011 photo depicts Bob Olding of Damilic Corp, a leading present-day manufacturer of signature machines, demonstrating the vintage Autopen Model 80. The machine uses levers and your favorite pen to duplicate programmed signatures, and while this can be a lifesaver for public officials, many in the government still use it sparingly. Though President Bush received a Justice Department Ruling in 2005 to sign a bill via autopen, he opted not to, and went out of his way to sign in person. Photo: via USA Today and Damilic Corp, Associated Press, 2011

Exploring Antique Technologies: Acing the Autopen – Helping Collectors Feel More Confident with Mechanical Writing

by Kary Pardy Footage from a 1950s 9-second video shows a grey, boxy machine using mechanical levers to exactly mimic ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall
A 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, one of only 19 built, sold for $9.52 million at a Monterey Auction held Aug. 12-14 by Sotheby’s in Monterey, CA

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT, $9.52 million, RM Sotheby’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, one of only 19 ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, Painting by Frank Sinatra, Potter & Potter
A framed acrylic on canvas painting by Frank Sinatra, a floral-themed work signed “Sinatra/89” lower right, sold for $38,400 at a Disneyana & Pop Culture Sale held July 30th by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Painting by Frank Sinatra, $38,400, Potter & Potter

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A framed acrylic on canvas painting by Frank Sinatra, a ...
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/ Alderfer Auction, Alderfer’s, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall
An 1882 Proof 66 trade dollar sold for $16,800 at a Coins and Currency auction held July 28th by Alderfer Auction in Hatfield, PA

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 1882 trade dollar, $16,800, Alderfer’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall An 1882 Proof 66 trade dollar sold for $16,800 at ...
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/ Elvis Presley photograph, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, RR Auction Boston MA, Signed Elvis Photo
A color, semi-gloss photograph of Elvis Presley, inscribed to Ed Sullivan, “To Mr. Ed Sullivan, My sincere thanks to a great guy, Thanks, Elvis Presley,” sold for $19,445 in an online auction held June 25-July 14 by RR Auction in Boston, MA

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Signed Elvis photo, $19,445, RR Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A color, semi-gloss photograph of Elvis Presley, inscribed to Ed ...
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/ Columns, Great Collections, Svalbard Archipelago, Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Svalbard Global Seed Vault entrance

Great Collections: Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Deep inside a mountain on a remote island in the Svalbard archipelago, halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Heritage Auctions, Ken Hall
A 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst guitar sold for $350,000 at the sale of the Neal Schon vintage guitars collection held July 31st by Heritage Auctions in Dallas, TX

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar, $350,000, Heritage Auctions

  Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst guitar sold ...
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