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.
/ 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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/ Lionel Standard Gauge, Peter Cooper, railroad music, Railroadiana, Talk of the Trade, Trains
Riding the Rails: Like the Internet in the second-half of the 20th century, trains were the major disrupter of the 19th century. They changed the way we brought our goods to market, where we lived, and how we traveled.

Riding the Rails: Like the Internet in the second-half of the 20th century, trains were the major disrupter of the 19th century. They changed the way we brought our goods to market, where we lived, and how we traveled.

Like the Internet in the second half of the 20th century, trains were the major disrupter of the 19th century ...
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/ Doyle, Gavels 'n' Paddles. Ken Hall, Gavels n Paddles
A circa 1830 Continental center table, probably German, having a giltwood base lavishly carved with lions, Bacchic masks and floral swags supporting an alabaster top sold for $46,875 at an English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts auction held May 26th by Doyle in New York City.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 1830 center table, $46,875, Doyle

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A circa 1830 Continental center table, probably German, having a ...
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/ Cowan's, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, WWII binoculars
A US Navy ship’s bridge binoculars from World War II sold for $22,800 at an Arms & Armor auction held May 25-26 by Cowan’s in Cincinnati, OH

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: WWII binoculars, $22,800, Cowan’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A US Navy ship’s bridge binoculars from World War II ...
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/ Gavels 'n' Paddles. Ken Hall, Gavels n Paddles, Harris & Co., Massasoit Indian weathervane, Morphy's Auction
A late 19th century molded and gilded-copper weathervane depicting a full-bodied standing Massasoit Indian with bow and arrow atop directional arrow, made by Harris & Co. (Boston) sold for $258,300 at a Fine & Decorative Arts auction held June 8-9 by Morphy’s in Denver, PA

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Figural weathervane, $258,000, Morphy’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A late 19th century molded and gilded-copper weathervane depicting a ...
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/ Crescent City, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, Leicaflex 35mm camera
A Leicaflex 35mm camera with a Leitz Summicron 1: 2/90 lens and a Summilux lens 1:1.4/50, sold for $1,280 at a Summer Decorative Arts & Interiors Auction held June 18th by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans, LA

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Leicaflex 35mm camera, $1,280, Crescent City

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A Leicaflex 35mm camera with a Leitz Summicron 1: 2/90 ...
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/ Antiques, Charlston Museum, Collectibles, History, Hobby Lobby, Talk of the Trade
July Column: History Contained - A less literal, more 'out-of-the-box' interpretation of the topic

July Column: History Contained – A less literal, more ‘out-of-the-box’ interpretation of the topic

For this month’s theme, “History Contained,” we selected feature subjects that reflect a less literal, more ‘out-of-the-box’ interpretation of the ...
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/ Christie's, Femme assiste pres d’une fenetre, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, Marie-Thérèse, Picasso painting of his muse
Pablo Picasso’ portrait painting of his muse (Marie-Thérèse), titled Femme assiste pres d’une fenetre (1932)

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Picasso painting of his muse, $103.41 million, Christie’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall Pablo Picasso’ portrait painting of his muse (Marie-Thérèse), titled Femme ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Janet Jackson jacket, Julien's Auctions, Ken Hall
Janet Jackson jacket, $81,250, Julien’s Auctions

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Janet Jackson jacket, $81,250, Julien’s Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall Singer Janet Jackson’s epochal Rhythm Nation jacket with 1814 metal ...
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/ Antiques Peek, Antiques Peek, Jessica Kosinski, Ripley's Believe it or Not
The Ripley’s Museum at night on the Atlantic City Boardwalk

Antiques Peek: Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

by Jessica Kosinski Atlantic City has one of the most well-known boardwalks in the United States, and arguably the world ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, Letter from Hamilton to Madison, Lion Heart Autographs
Letter from Hamilton to Madison, $113,850, Lion Heart Autographs

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Letter from Hamilton to Madison, $113,850, Lion Heart Autographs

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A letter written by Alexander Hamilton to James Madison in ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Miller & Miller, Supertest petroliana sign
Supertest petroliana sign, CA$21,240, Miller & Miller

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Supertest petroliana sign, CA$21,240, Miller & Miller

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A Canadian Supertest Service Station double-sided porcelain hanging sign from ...
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/ Atlantic City, boardwalks, Coney Island, historic boardwalks, Ocean City, Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Talk of the Trade, The Atlantic City Boardwalk
Boardwalk Memories

Boardwalk Memories

Talk about boardwalks and almost everyone has a favorite and memories to share. Growing up in New York City and ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, whale totem pole
A 19th century Northwest Coast whale totem pole featuring a polka-dotted whale with a raven perched on its tail and a man’s face at the base sold for a little over $17,000 at a Native American Indian Auction held March 24th by Pook & Pook in Downingtown, PA.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Whale totem pole, $17,000, Pook & Pook

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A 19th century Northwest Coast whale totem pole featuring a ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, signed letter Albert Einstein
A typed signed letter by Albert Einstein, dated March 10, 1954, sold for $28,800 at a Fine Books and Manuscripts sale held March 13th by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago, IL

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Einstein signed letter, $28,800, Potter & Potter

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A typed signed letter by Albert Einstein, dated March 10, ...
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/ cast-iron, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Girl Skipping Rope, Ken Hall, mechanical toy bank
A J & E Stevens (American) Girl Skipping Rope cast-iron mechanical toy bank in pristine to near-mint condition sold for $156,000 at Part 1 of the sale of Aaron and Schroeder mechanical bank and toy collection held March 5-6 by Bertoia Auctions in Vineland, NJ

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: J & E Stevens toy bank, $156,000, Bertoia Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A J & E Stevens (American) Girl Skipping Rope cast-iron ...
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/ ALPCA, Antiques Peek, Antiques Peek, Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, Jessica Kosinski, Numberplates, Vintage License Plates
Early Massachusetts Porcelain License Plate

Antiques Peek: From Numberplate to License Plate

by Jessica Kosinski  There are many automobile-related collectibles people enjoy collecting. People have had fascinations with cars since the first ...
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