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.
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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, ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ 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 ...
Read More
/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall
A hockey puck used in the final Stanley Cup championship game of 1928, won by the New York Rangers over the Montreal Maroons, 2-1, with Frank Boucher scoring both goals for the Rangers, sold for $66,000 in an online Sports, Non-Sports, Pulps, Comics & Comic Art auction held April 14th by Weiss Auctions in Lynbrook, NY

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 1928 Stanley Cup puck, $66,000, Weiss Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A hockey puck used in the final Stanley Cup championship ...
Read More
/ automobile travel, automotive history, historic road trips, history of domestic travel, on the road, Talk of the Trade
"Traveling Back in Time": We drive forward from the 19th century to explore the impact and inspiration of automotive travel in America

“Traveling Back in Time”: We drive forward from the 19th century to explore the impact and inspiration of automotive travel in America

     It was a big country but prior to the 20th century, few knew from first-hand experience how big ...
Read More
/ Gavels 'n' Paddles. Ken Hall, Gavels n Paddles, Kobe Bryant, Rookie Card, Topps
A black label pristine A black label pristine 1996-1997 Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Kobe Bryant rookie card sold for $1.796 million in a Winter Auction ending March 6-7 by Goldin Auctions, based in Runnemede, NJ.1996-1997 Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Kobe Bryant rookie card sold for $1.796 million in a Winter Auction ending March 6-7 by Goldin Auctions, based in Runnemede, NJ.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Kobe Bryant Topps rookie card, $1.796 million, Goldin Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall            A black label pristine 1996-1997 Topps Chrome Refractors #138 ...
Read More
/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, Rock-Ola 1937 World Series Baseball arcade game
            A fully functioning 1937 Rock-Ola 1937 World Series Baseball arcade game sold for $34,375 at an auction held March 21st by Fine Estate, Inc. in San Rafael, CA.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Rock-Ola World Series coin-op, $34,375, Fine Estate, Inc.

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall             A fully functioning 1937 Rock-Ola 1937 World Series Baseball ...
Read More
/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Ken Hall, Ming dynasty bowl, Sotheby's
A Ming dynasty, Yongle period exceptional and rare blue and white '”floral” bowl originally purchased for $35 at a Connecticut yard sale achieved $721,800 following a spirited battle between four bidders in an Important Chinese Art Auction held March 17th by Sotheby’s in New York City

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Ming dynasty bowl, $721,800, Sotheby’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall             A Ming dynasty, Yongle period exceptional and rare blue ...
Read More
/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Minneapolis Luthier Kurt Nelson, The "Cloud" Guitar
  The “Cloud” guitar custom-made by Minneapolis Luthier Kurt Nelson in the 1990s for the musician Prince sold for $132,868 in an online auction that began on Feb. 19 and ended March 10 by RR Auction, based in Boston.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Prince’s “Cloud” guitar, $132,868, RR Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall             The “Cloud” guitar custom-made by Minneapolis Luthier Kurt Nelson ...
Read More
/ Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Hake’s Auctions, MLK jailhouse logbook
Four jailhouse logbook pages bearing 12 signatures of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and five signatures of his associate Ralph Abernathy, signed during their 1963 incarceration at the Birmingham (AL) jail, sold for $130,909 at Premier Auction #231 held Feb. 24-25 by Hake’s Auctions in York, PA.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: MLK jailhouse logbook, $130,909, Hake’s Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall     Four jailhouse logbook pages bearing 12 signatures of ...
Read More
/ American Flyer train, auction results, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Philip Weiss Auctions
An American Flyer S gauge smoke-in-tender Northern 332 steam locomotive, 1946 or 1947, with a bronze brake tank, sold for $5,400 at a Toy & Train auction held February 24th by Weiss Auctions in Lynbrook, NY.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: American Flyer train, $5,400, Weiss Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall An American Flyer S gauge smoke-in-tender Northern 332 steam locomotive, ...
Read More
/ Civil War Collector, The Civil War Collector
Union soldier Benjamin Gustin’s letters worth more than the usual average price of $20 each, but the content will determine final values.

The Civil War Collector

by John Sexton Q: Mr. Sexton, I am writing hoping you can help me identify a pistol that has passed ...
Read More