Inspired by Plants: The Glass Flowers as a Window into Botanical Education

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The Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants on permanent exhibition at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Harvard University Herbaria. Photo by Jennifer Berglund

By Donald H. Pfister and Jennifer Brown, Harvard University Herbaria Unless otherwise noted, all images courtesy of the Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, Harvard University Herbaria / ...

Taxidermy: Exploring one of the Most Complicated Collectibles

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Carl Akeley, considered the father of modern taxidermy, was also a talented sculptor, naturalist, and an inventor. He worked on these elephants at the Field Museum but also has a history of working with another famous elephant. While an apprentice at Ward’s Natural Science Establishment, he preserved P. T. Barnum’s beloved elephant Jumbo after a train accident. The project took five months. Fighting African Elephants, photo: Field Museum

by Kary Pardy Someone mentions taxidermy and a few main themes come to mind: trophies in hunting lodges, decor in rustic cabins, or the old stuffed fox at your grandparent’s ...

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.: A Naturalist Collector of Specimens

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A portrait of Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) in buckskin, without his trademark glasses. This portrait is dated 1885, the year he retired to his ranch in the Dakota Territory, following the death of his mother and first wife. photo: TIME

by Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher In 1867, Theodore Roosevelt began what he called the Roosevelt Museum of Natural History. It consisted of 12 specimens that had been carefully preserved and laid ...

Viking Glass – A Colorful History

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Viking Glass grew out of its predecessor, New Martinsville Glass Company, which was established in 1900 by Mark Johnson and George Matheny. The plant was up and running in 1901 ...

Collection of seven antique mercury glass vessels selling for $750 at charish.com

Mercury glass is not all it is wrapped up to be as there is no actual mercury used in the encased silvered part of the glass, except during its first ...

The Declaration of Independence boasts of a plethora of signatures from some of America’s most famous men, but whose do you think is the most valuable? The podcast Radiolab conducted in an investigation and the winner is Button Gwinnett! Surprised? Gwinnett’s obscurity increased the value of his signature. He only has 51 documented signature examples and was killed in a duel in 1777. photo: Andrea Izzotti/ Shutterstock and Reader’s Digest

By Kary Pardy, writer of “Exploring Antique Technology” Mickey Mantle’s baseball, a celebrity-signed photograph, the copy of the Declaration of Independence from your relative’s attic: the value of each of ...

Stan Lee at an autographing event. "I would write the stories, and hope the public would buy them and like them, and then I'd be able to pay the rent. I never really spent time thinking how long will that last, because I knew if the character became unpopular, I can always write another one. I was always writing other ones."

by Maxine Carter-Lome, Publisher Since ancient Roman times, a man's ability to sign his name separated him from the masses and marked him as a member of the ruling class ...

Rooftops irregular plate by Sascha Brastoff, 10-1/2” longest side, $75-$100

Story and photos by Donald-Brian Johnson In the world of mid-twentieth-century décor, it wasn't enough for a designer to be a household name. What sold everything—from dinnerware to dishwashers to ...

The Fostoria Glass Company: Staying Flexible with Solid Glass

Features

1904 Fostoria Glass Company Catalog lamps and vases

by Mary Sue Lyon, director, Fostoria Glass Society of America The Fostoria Glass Company began operations in Fostoria, Ohio in 1887 where natural gas was offered at low cost to ...

Black Glass: Beautiful & Functional

Features

Black Glass Salt & Pepper Shakers: Black/dark green McKee salt and pepper shakers with art deco styling. Sides of shakers are Roman Arch shaped. Sold on Etsy and seen elsewhere for $50 and up.

By Michalene Kosinski, Antiques and Collectibles Mall of New England All sorts of functional and attractive vintage kitchen and dining accessories were made with black glass, including console sets, swans, ...

Metal floral accent trim on handle highlights a pale blue basket. 10-1/2” w, $1,300-$1,500.

Story and photos by Donald-Brian Johnson Something Old … Something New Wait. Stop right there. If you’re on the hunt for a wedding gift, how about a two-fer? That’s right: ...

Blenko Glass Modernist “Opaque” Line large Yellow Bowl, No. 2904 made in 2004

by Peter Wade Something happened this past decade in the glass collecting marketplace that we may all have missed. It’s hard to see when you’re only in one regional market ...

Features

Inspired by Plants: The Glass Flowers as a Window into Botanical Education

Taxidermy: Exploring one of the Most Complicated Collectibles

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.: A Naturalist Collector of Specimens

Viking Glass – A Colorful History

Mercury Glass: Encasing the Brilliance of Silver

Forged Signatures: Tips to Help Collectors Find the Real Deal

Can I have your Autograph?

What’s in a Name? Sascha, Marc, and Sometimes, Matthew

The Fostoria Glass Company: Staying Flexible with Solid Glass

Black Glass: Beautiful & Functional

Here Come the Bride's Baskets

The Allure of Glass is Back

Categories of Interest

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