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My Top Six Barn Finds

Barn Find: 1969 Dodge Daytona
By Ryan Brutt, The Auto Archaeologist Barn Find: A barn find is a classic car, aircraft, or motorcycle that has been rediscovered after being stored, often in derelict condition. The ...

Thomas Jennings: “Dry Scouring,” U.S. Patent No. 3306x

Portrait of Thomas Jennings Dry Scouring Inventor
By Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher In 1820, Thomas L. Jennings (1791–1856) was a well-known tailor among gentlemen of wealth and taste, with a successful clothing shop in Lower Manhattan in New ...

Behind the Seams: Enslaved Labor in the 18th century Boston Tailoring Trade

Figure 2. Shirt (detail), English and American, c.1790. White, plain-weave linen. Historic Deerfield, Gift of the Cooley Family, Hartford, Connecticut, direct descendants of Col. Elisha Porter, 2017.30.3. photo: Penny Leveritt. 18th century Boston tailoring trade
By David E. Lazaro, Curator of Textiles, Historic Deerfield In late summer of 1741, Boston tailor Richard Billings (1699-1776) announced in a local paper a reward for the return of ...

Around the House with Art Deco

Modern serving ware designs for Chase, by Russel Wright. Clockwise from left: Cocktail Ball on Olympia Saucer; Pancake & Corn Set; Devonshire Pitcher; Antarctic Ice Bowl; Individual Coffee Set; Ice Bowl & Tongs.
By Donald-Brian Johnson • Photos by Leslie Piña “Art Deco was the last truly sumptuous style.” – Alastair Duncan, Art Deco, 1988 Art Deco. It isn’t all black and white ...

Art Deco Purses

Trio of mesh purses by Whiting and Davis (from l-r) a compact purse with Guilloche enamel compact top; iconic skyline of New York; and enameled color using the Cubist style
by Paula Higgins Art Deco purses are highly sought after, currently among the most desired of all antique and vintage purses. Their designs can be described as chaotic, streamlined, graphic, ...

Czech Art Deco Vanity

Two J. Schmidt black glass perfumes with Oriental Neiger Bros. jeweling.
The formation of the country of Czechoslovakia at the end of World War I coincided with the growing popularity of Art Deco design that had originated in France in the ...

Gone to Sea: The Art Deco Ocean Liners

Cunard's illustrious Queen Mary
By Bill Miller Ocean liners were once described as the “greatest moving objects made by man.” They were also great symbols: They embodied size, might, and speed, but were also ...

1925 Exposition: Art Deco on the World Stage

The Hôtel d’un Collectionneur was a highlight not just of the Exposition, but of French Art Deco in its entirety. Designed by Pierre Patout, this pavilion was created for the furniture manufacturer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann.
By Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher The Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts)—the Paris Exposition of 1925—opened its doors to the world ...

Nineteenth Century Walking Sticks

Bone and Horn Walking Sticks, silver knobs and ferrules, longest 36”. 19th century, realized $1,125 in 2018 photo: Heritage Auctions, HA.com
By Melody Amsel-Arieli Nineteenth century walking sticks, also known as canes or handstaffs, apparently harken back to the humble shepherd staffs once used to herd sheep, traverse rough terrain, and ...

The Traditional Gentlemen’s Club and Its Etiquette

Image depicting the inside of a New York gentlemen’s club
by “The Gentleman”  •  edited and extra copy by Judy Gonyeau According to Wikipedia, the term gentleman refers to any man of good, courteous conduct. In its original meaning, the ...

American Fashion and Tailoring as made by The John J. Mitchell Publishing Company

American Tailor and Cutter illustration, November, 1893
by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor, with information shared by Jean Druesdow, director emerita, Kent State University Museum A gentleman never talks about his tailor. – Nick Cave, artist, and creater ...

Styling the 19th Century Gentleman

Title image: Carte-de-visite photograph of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and Prince Albert, Prince Consort (1819-61) standing together, in outdoor clothes. The Queen wears a tartan dress, cape and bonnet and the Prince wears a morning suit, tartan waistcoat and top hat.
By Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher In the 19th century, men, like women, literally wore their wealth on their sleeves. From the cut of the cloth to the numerous accessories that styled ...