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
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 ...
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/ 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 ...
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/ 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 ...
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/ 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 ...
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/ 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 ...
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/ Antique Marketplace News, Columns, Expert Insights
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 ...
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/ 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 ...
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/ auction results, cloisonné enamel triptych icon, Doyle in New York City, Gavels n Paddles, Native American on Lookout by Prince Paul Troubetzkoy, Russian Works of Art
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 ...
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/ Al Jolson, Albert Einstein, American biochemist Elmer McCollum, Chanel No. 5, Chicago White Sox, Coco Chanel, Eddie Cantor, Eugene O’Neill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, irtual events, John Larson, KDKA-Pittsburgh, New York Yankee pitcher Babe Ruth, Nobel Prize in Physics, online learning, Polygraph test, post-Covid decade ahead, Roger Connor, Rose Bowl, Talk of the Trade, The Emergency Quota Act, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Tulsa Race Riot, vaccine and the rapid testing options for Covid, vitamin D, Warren G. Harding, webinars, Woodrow Wilson, World Series in 1921
The 100 Year Perspective

The 100 Year Perspective

On January 1, 1921, California beat Ohio State 28-0 in the Rose Bowl. In that same week, the country’s first ...
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/ Alberto Giacometti, Alfa Romeo, Alfa Romeo B.A.T. concept cars, auction results, concept cars, female sculpture from 1947 titled Femme Leoni, Gavels n Paddles, Girgio de Chirico, Girgio de Chirico's Il Pomeriggio di Arianna, Il Pomeriggio di Arianna, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Sotheby's, Sotheby's New York City
Three Alfa Romeo B.A.T. concept cars together brought $14.8 million in sales of Contemporary and Impressionist & Modern Art held October 28th by Sotheby’s

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Alfa Romeo concept cars, $14.8 million, Sotheby’s

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall Three Alfa Romeo B.A.T. concept cars together brought $14.8 million ...
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/ Antique Blades, Antique Marketplace News, bladesmiths, Bowie knife, Columns, curved swords, double-edged sword, Early Chinese swordsmiths, Early weapons, Edged Weapons, Expert Insights, Goro Nyudo Masamune, hand-forge, Heian Period (794-1191), Honjo Masamune, Japanese katana, Japanese swordsmiths, Karen Metz, knife, parade sword, Richard Gabriel, Roman Empire, Roman gladius, Samurai katana, shita-kitae, steel weapons, Sword, swordsmith, tachi, tamahagane, tartara furnace, Viking Ulfberht
The Roman gladius was a short (two feet), sharply-pointed, double-edged sword and its design had evolved over the centuries to be the ideal weapon for the legions of the Roman Empire. It was forged from high-grade steel and was primarily suited for the Roman fighting style, where shield usage was heavy and swords were called upon to thrust and stab through the shield wall. In their book From Sumer to Rome: the Military Capabilities of Ancient Armies, historians Richard Gabriel and Karen Metz wrote that in the hands of a highly trained legionnaire, the gladius “was the most deadly of all weapons produced by ancient armies, and it killed more soldiers than any other weapon in history until the invention of the gun.” photo: Wikipedia

Exploring Antique Technologies: Shaped in Steel – Dissecting the Technology Behind your Edged Weapons

by Kary Pardy There are lots of reasons to be drawn to edged weapons, and their beauty and history are ...
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/ Antiques Peek, Army, Army of the Potomic Calvalry Corps, British Army, Coast Guard, collecting military badges, eagle, George Washington, Marines, Military badges, military group, military groups, military insignia, National Guard, Oak leaf, one or two-star epaulets, Revolutionary War, special achievements, U.S. Air Force Fire Protection Badge, U.S. military, Victorian British Military Badge
Army of the Potomic Calvalry Corps

Antiques Peek: Military Badges

by Jessica Kosinski As modern humans, we are used to conflict; whether in the form of a small disagreement with ...
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/ American Life Bitters bottle, American Life Bitters bottle made in Ohio circa 1865-1875, circa 1815-1835, circa 1865-1875, Constitution Bitters bottle, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, Glass Works Auction, Glass Works Auctions, pattern globular bottle, St. Drake’s Plantation Bitters bottle, Zanesville Glass Works, Zanesville Glass Works in Ohio
An American Life Bitters bottle made in Ohio circa 1865-1875 sold for $42,000 in an online-only auction held Sept. 21-28 by Glass Works Auction

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: American Life Bitters bottle, $42,000, Glass Works Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall An American Life Bitters bottle made in Ohio circa 1865-1875 ...
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/ artist, auction, Doyle Auction, Doyle in New York, film producer Walter Manley, Friedeberg chair, Gavels n Paddles, Maison Jansen, Maison Jansen upholstered chair, Maison Jansen-designed home, Mexican Surrealist artist, Mexican Surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg, Pedro Friedeberg, Recent Auction Results, upholstered club chairs, Walter Manley
A ‘Hand Chair’ by the Mexican Surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg, introduced in 1962, sold for $10,000 at Doyle Auction

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Friedeberg chair, $10,000, Doyle

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A ‘Hand Chair’ by the Mexican Surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg, ...
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/ Canadiana and Historic Objects auction, cased set of English dueling pistols, circa 1830-1860, circa 1890, dueling pistols, English dueling pistols, English dueling pistols made by William Chance & Son, French Atmos clock, French Atmos perpetual time clock, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, John J. Kenyon, Miller & Miller Auctions LTD., online-only auction, painting by John J. Kenyon, Recent Auction Results, time clock from the 1940s, Wettlaufer decorated child’s wagon, Wettlaufer decorated wagon circa 1890, Wettlaufer wagon, William Chance & Son, William Chance & Son dueling pistols
A French Atmos perpetual time clock from the 1940s sold for CA$6,490 in an online-only Canadiana & Historic Objects auction held October 24th by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: French Atmos Clock, CA$6,490, Miller & Miller

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A French Atmos perpetual time clock from the 1940s sold ...
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/ circa 1910 Roycroft Ali Baba bench, Gavels n Paddles, Gavels n Paddles, mosaic, mosaic tabletop tile, mosaic tabletop tile by Roy Lichtenstein, Neue Auctions, Neue Auctions in Beachwood Ohio, Online Auction, online Fine Art & Antiques auction, rare and unusual mosaic tabletop tile, Recent Auction Results, Roy Lichtenstein, Roy Lichtenstein (American, Roy Lichtenstein tile, Roycroft, Roycroft Ali Baba bench, Roycroft bench, tabletop tile by Roy Lichtenstein
 A rare and unusual mosaic tabletop tile by Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997)

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Roy Lichtenstein tile, $36,900, Neue Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A rare and unusual mosaic tabletop tile by Roy Lichtenstein ...
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/ America’s military history, artifacts or replicas of war, bayonets, belt buckles, Coleman stoves, Collections, Decorations, ephemera, Firearms, German uniforms and caps, helmets, historical weapons, insignia, Joel Bohy, knives, Militaria, militaria and firearms collection, militaria buffs, militaria collectors, military artifacts, military buttons, military medals, military orders, Powder Horns, Revolutionary War, sabers, Swords, Talk of the Trade, Uniforms, United States silver and bronze star awards, war comic books, war diaries, war ephemera, war newspaper clippings, war photographs, war posters, weaponry, World War II
"Militaria Findings": Conflict and combat are as old as the story of man. The result is centuries of military artifacts dating back to antiquity that tell the history and bear the scars of the hard-fought battles of their time.

“Militaria Findings”: Conflict and combat are as old as the story of man. The result is centuries of military artifacts dating back to antiquity that tell the history and bear the scars of the hard-fought battles of their time.

Conflict and combat are as old as the story of man. To engage, man needed weapons to attack, and armor ...
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/ Dr. Lyman Beecher Todd, Gavels n Paddles, George H. Kinnear, Mary Todd Lincoln, postmortem examination, RR Auction, RR Auction Boston MA
A thin lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair, taken during his postmortem examination, sold for $81,250 in an online auction that ran from August 21-Sept. 12 by RR Auction, based in Boston, MA.

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Lock of Lincoln’s hair, $81,250, RR Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A thin lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair, taken during his ...
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/ baseball card, baseball cards, Elite Auction, Gavels n Paddles, Goldin Auctions Runnemede NJ, Lebron James card, signed rookie baseball card
A 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Trout Superfractor signed rookie baseball card (#1 of 1) sold for $3.936 million at an Elite Auction held August 23 by Goldin Auctions, based in Runnemede, NJ

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 2009 Mike Trout rookie card, $3.936 million, Goldin Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Trout Superfractor signed ...
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/ auction, auction results, Gavels n Paddles, label and tooled leather box, Lys black crystal perfume bottle, perfume bottle and stopper as a faceted jewel with cord seal, Perfume Bottles Auction, Perfume Bottles Auction in New York City
A 1926 Baccarat for Isabey “Tresor Cache” presentation of Lys black crystal perfume bottle and stopper as a faceted jewel with cord seal, label and tooled leather box sold for $56,250 at an auction held July 11 by Perfume Bottles Auction in New York City

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 1926 Baccarat perfume bottle, $56,250, Perfume Bottle Auction

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A 1926 Baccarat for Isabey “Tresor Cache” presentation of Lys ...
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/ America’s craftsmen sailors, Antique Marketplace News, Authentic American scrimshaw, baleen plates, Captain Frederick Howland Smith, carved sperm whale tooth, Columns, early American art, engraved teeth, Expert Insights, Made.By.Edward.Burdett, Nantucket baskets, nautical symbols, New Bedford Whaling Museum, New England coast, Osana’s Auction, Sallie Smith, scrimshander, Scrimshaw, scrimshaw canes, scrimshaw handles, scrimshaw hinges, Scrimshaw latches, Scrimshaw pie crimpers, scrimshaw pins, Scrimshaw teeth, Skinner Auctions, Walrus ivory, walruses, Whales, women’s corset busks
Sea captains’ wives and children sometimes accompanied them on voyages and produced a fair amount of scrimshaw. Notably, Sallie Smith, the wife of Captain Frederick Howland Smith, created pieces that are just as highly regarded, if not more so, then those of her male counterparts. Scrimshaw by an unknown artist, ca. 1830-1860 courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum

Exploring Antique Technologies – Saving Scrimshaw: How it’s Made and How to Take Care of It

by Kary Pardy If you’re a nautical fanatic, a coast dweller, or a fan of early American arts, you probably ...
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/ Antiques Peek, Breyer Animal Creations, Breyer company, Breyer Horse Manufacturing, Breyer horses, Breyer Molding Company, BreyerFest Models, Chicago Illinois, Chris Hess, Gordon Johnson, Kathleen Moody, Maureen Love, model horses, Paul Olson, Reeves International Inc, Silver Limited Trotting Arabian Mare Weather Girl, Sommer Prosser, toy horses
Breyer #57 with clock

Antiques Peek: In the Show Ring with Breyer

by Jessica Kosinski There are certain toys that are timeless classics. From Cabbage Patch dolls to Lincoln Logs and Legos ...
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/ Antique Fire Alarms, auction results, code wheels, fire alarm transmitter, Gamewell Excelsior, Gamewell Excelsior fire alarm transmitter, Gamewell Excelsior fire alarm transmitter with 50 code wheels, Gavels n Paddles, Milestone Auctions, Misc, porcelain Sinclair Opaline Motor Oil sign, porcelain Sinclair sign, Sinclair Opaline Motor Oil, three-chime whistle, Western Railway, Western Railway experimental three-chime whistle, Willoughby OH
A Gamewell Excelsior fire alarm transmitter with 50 code wheels, in a refinished oak case with beveled-glass front door, sold for $7,800 at a sale of the Brian Maiher collection of railroadiana, petroliana, and antique fire alarms held August 29 by Milestone Auctions in Willoughby, OH

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Fire alarm transmitter, $7,800, Milestone Auctions

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A Gamewell Excelsior fire alarm transmitter with 50 code wheels, ...
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/ Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles CA, Clinton Ultra, Clinton Ultra watch, diamond ring, fine jewelry, Fine Jewelry Watches & Timepieces auction, Gavels n Paddles, Jean-Georges Remond, musical snuff box by Jean-Georges Remond, platinum ring, pocket watch, Snuff Boxes, Swiss enameled 18kt gold musical snuff box
A dazzling 12.01-carat emerald cut diamond (K VVS1) and platinum ring slipped on a new finger for $143,750 in an inaugural Fine Jewelry, Watches & Timepieces auction held online-only, September 16, by Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles, CA

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: 12.01-carat diamond ring, $143,750, Andrew Jones

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A dazzling 12.01-carat emerald cut diamond (K VVS1) and platinum ...
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/ Gavels n Paddles, Keith Haring, marble statue of Asclepius, Mather Brown, pop art, Pop Art icon Keith Haring, Reverse glass painting, Summer Bounty I, Thomaston Maine, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Reverse glass painting

Gavels ‘n’ Paddles: Reverse glass painting, $84,000, Thomaston Place

Recent Auction Results from Near & Far By Ken Hall A scarce British late 18th century reverse glass painting, after ...
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