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.
/ Talk of the Trade
In the Maker's Hands: Connecting objects with their makers enhance our understanding of the antiques we value

In the Maker’s Hands: Connecting objects with their makers enhance our understanding of the antiques we value

At the heart of the items that we collect and admire are the stories behind their creation, craft, and use ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
1787 gold doubloon coin, $9.36 million, Heritage

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 1787 gold doubloon coin, $9.36 million, Heritage

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A 1787 gold doubloon coin, the finest example of just ...
/ Columns
Early 19th century English Glasschord by Chappell & Sons. According to Wikipedia, the glasschord is a crystallphone that uses keyboard-driven hammers to strike glass bars instead of metal bars. photo: Yale School of Music

Great Collections: The Yale Collection of Musical Instruments

The Yale Collection of Musical Instruments was established in 1900, when Morris Steinert, an entrepreneurial figure who played an important ...
/ Antiques Peek
French Victorian Lyre Music Stand

Antiques Peek: Take A (Music) Stand

by Jessica Kosinski In the world of music, there are many instruments you could choose to play. However, deciding on ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Kobe Bryant road jersey, $337,334, Grey Flannel

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Kobe Bryant road jersey, $337,334, Grey Flannel

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A 2009 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals game-worn ...
/ Talk of the Trade
"Collecting Music in the Virtual Age." Now that music is online and digital-based, what is left to collect?

“Collecting Music in the Virtual Age.” Now that music is online and digital-based, what is left to collect?

The ways we listen to music are always changing, but the people who feel the need to amass as much ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Hasselhoff’s K.I.T.T. car, $345,000, Diligent Auction

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Hasselhoff’s K.I.T.T. car, $345,000, Diligent Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall Actor David Hasselhoff’s personal K.I.T.T. Knight Rider car, with full ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Lovebird carnival display, $8,540, Pook & Pook, Inc.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Lovebird carnival display, $8,540, Pook & Pook, Inc.

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A lovebird carnival display by Baranger, a maker of colorful ...
/ Antiques Peek
1920s Adam’s Fine Marshmallows tin aka “snake in a can”

Antiques Peek: Gifting For Gags

by Jessica Kosinski Giving gifts is always fun, but there’s a special kind of gift that can sometimes be extra ...
/ Columns
Lot 740: Steve Martin Oscars poster signed by celebrity attendees at The 2010 Academy Awards ceremony

Great Collections: The Collection of Steve Martin at Julien’s Auctions

Emmy, Grammy, People’s Choice, and Academy Award Winner hardly begin to describe Steve Martin, who has entertained us for decades ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Bill Traylor painting, $293,750, Christie’s

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Bill Traylor painting, $293,750, Christie’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A folk-art painting by Bill Traylor, titled Two Dogs Fighting: ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Patriotic sand art bottle, $275,000, Skinner, Inc.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Patriotic sand art bottle, $275,000, Skinner, Inc.

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A patriotic presentation sand art bottle meticulously crafted circa 1885-1890 ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Wayne Gretzky 1979 rookie card, $1.29 million, Heritage Auctions

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Wayne Gretzky 1979 rookie card, $1.29 million, Heritage Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A Canadian version of a 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky Edmonton ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Eddie Van Halen guitar, $231,250, Julien’s

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Eddie Van Halen guitar, $231,250, Julien’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A guitar custom-made for rock legend Eddie Van Halen, built ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Hermes leather handbag, $8,750, Crescent City

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Hermes leather handbag, $8,750, Crescent City

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A circa 1992 Hermes Kelly Sellier black box leather handbag ...
/ Talk of the Trade
The Parlor: An Island of Formality. You entered it only rarely, and you weren’t meant to be comfortable there. But every house had to have one, no matter how high the cost.

The Parlor: An Island of Formality. You entered it only rarely, and you weren’t meant to be comfortable there. But every house had to have one, no matter how high the cost.

No room in the American home in the nineteenth century was more tenderly cared for, fussed over, or jealously protected ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Wells Fargo stock certificate, $2,875, Holabird Western Americana

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Wells Fargo stock certificate, $2,875, Holabird Western Americana

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A rare Wells Fargo and Company (NY) stock certificate from ...
/ Antiques Peek
Arts and Crafts era Stickley Side Table

Antiques Peek: I Like My Tables On the Side

by Jessica Kosinski When talking about a modern parlor or living room, there are certain items that immediately come to ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Coca-Cola litho sign, $6,000, Rich Penn

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Coca-Cola litho sign, $6,000, Rich Penn

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A Coca-Cola litho on cardboard “Prevent Forest Fires” sign, 33 ...
/ Gavels n Paddles
Mackintosh bedside cabinet, $328,000, Lyon & Turnbull

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Mackintosh bedside cabinet, $328,000, Lyon & Turnbull

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A bedside cabinet by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (Scottish, 1868-1928) sold ...
Archeologists have discovered what they claim is the world’s oldest natural pearl on Marawah Island, off the coast of Abu Dhabi. The pearl dates back 8,000 years to the Neolithic period – the last stage of the Stone Age. It was found in a layer at a Neolithic site that dates to 5800 B.C. to 5600 B.C. “The presence of pearls at archeological sites is evidence that the pearl trade existed from at least as far back as the Neolithic period,” said Abdulla Khalfan Al-Kaabi, the director of the archeological survey.

Exploring Antique Technologies: Science and Sparkles – Demystifying your Jewelry Collection

by Kary Pardy How many times have you looked through a jewelry display at your favorite antique shop and was ...
/ Antiques Peek
Early promotional card for birthstones featured at the local jeweler

Antiques Peek: Birthday Bling

by Jessica Kosinski Have you ever received or purchased jewelry that featured your birthstone? The tradition of birthstones incorporated in ...
Russian triptych icon, $25,000, Doyle

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Russian triptych icon, $25,000, Doyle

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A patinated metal and cloisonné enamel triptych icon, featuring a ...