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, 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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/ Antique Marketplace News, Bucket Brigade, Columns, Expert Insights, Exploring Antique Technologies, Kary Pardy, Leather Fire Buckets, New York City Fire Museum
1. Club fire buckets were decorated with their chosen logo, and few examples are as impressive as this Adroit Fire Club example from Salem, MA, ca. 1820. Emblazoned with the club’s name, the owner’s name, and the motto “Delay Not,” this striking example depicts men fighting to save a Federal-style house from burning. According to Sotheby’s, which sold the bucket for $40,000 in 2020, other examples from the Adroit Fire Club carry on the theme of the burning house surviving. photo: Sotheby’s, Triumphant Grace: Important Americana from the Collection of Barbara and Arun Singh, 2020

Exploring Antique Technologies: Leather Fire Buckets – Painted Americana at its Most Helpful 

by Kary Pardy Imagine you lived in the 17th or 18th century. Chances are good that you would be surrounded ...
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/ Talk of the Trade
Harvesting History: While seeds lie at the root of our national and international food supply and agricultural economy, technology continues to be the game-changer when it comes to planting and harvesting.

Harvesting History: While seeds lie at the root of our national and international food supply and agricultural economy, technology continues to be the game-changer when it comes to planting and harvesting.

The legend of Johnny Appleseed as an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to the Midwest and beyond is ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Goldin Auctions, Ken Hall, Mia Hamm rookie card, Misc
Mia Hamm rookie card, $34,440, Goldin Auctions

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Mia Hamm rookie card, $34,440, Goldin Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A rookie card of U.S. soccer legend Mia Hamm sold ...
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/ AmeriCorps, national service, Salvation Army, Talk of the Trade, VISTA, volunteerism
A History of National Service: Over the past half-century, U.S. public policy has sought to increase the number of Americans engaged in service activities and volunteering.

A History of National Service: Over the past half-century, U.S. public policy has sought to increase the number of Americans engaged in service activities and volunteering.

In John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961, the President called on all Americans to commit themselves to ...
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/ Copy of the Declaration, Freeman's, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall
Copy of the Declaration, $4.42 million, Freeman’s

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Copy of the Declaration, $4.42 million, Freeman’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall Signer Charles Carroll’s copy of the Declaration of Independence sold ...
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/ Antiques Peek, Antiques Peek, Jessica Kosinski, railroad-grade pocket watch
Longines Express Monarch Canadian railroad pocket watch, 1901

Antiques Peek: Workin’ On The Railroad

by Jessica Kosinski  When you think of the history of railroads and railroad collectibles, you might picture toy trains first ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, Misc, Prince handwritten lyrics, RR Auction
Prince handwritten lyrics, $150,986, RR Auction

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Prince handwritten lyrics, $150,986, RR Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall The handwritten lyrics to the late entertainer Prince’s song Nothing ...
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/ Bruneau & Co., Copy of Avengers #1, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall
Copy of Avengers #1, $23,125, Bruneau & Co.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Copy of Avengers #1, $23,125, Bruneau & Co.

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A copy of Marvel Comics’ Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963), graded ...
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/ Gavels 'n' Paddles. Ken Hall, Gavels n Paddles, Julien's Auctions, Kurt Cobain, Nevermind, Nirvana
A self-portrait caricature drawing by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, created during the group’s 1992 Nevermind promotional tour, sold for $281,250 at a Music Icons auction held June 11-13 by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Kurt Cobain drawing, $281,250, Julien’s Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A self-portrait caricature drawing by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, created ...
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