Read Back Issues and Search for old feature articles and columns covering over a decade of compelling and inspiring editorial from the market’s leading authorities on antiques and collectibles.

The Stars Motel, Chicago, Illinois

The Rise and Fall of the American Roadside Motel

by Maxine Carter-Lome In the first decades of the 20th century, nothing was more novel than the automobile. The idea ...
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"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 ...
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"The Art World is Going Digital Over NFT"

“The Art World is Going Digital Over NFT”

When graphic designer Mike Winkelmann started producing a drawing a day in 2007, he was simply looking for a way ...
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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 ...
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Ceramic vessel remains, bag-shaped jars made some 20,000 calendar years ago discovered at the Xianrendong Cave in China. A total of 282 pottery sherds were recovered from the oldest levels of the cave. They have uneven thick walls between 1.4-1.5 inches, with round bases and inorganic (sand – mainly quartz or feldspar) temper. The paste has a brittle and loose texture and a heterogeneous reddish and brown color from uneven, open-air firing. They appear to have been made with two different techniques: sheet laminating or coil and paddle techniques. photo: Thought & Co.

The World & The Potter

by Jessica Kosinski For as long as there have been people on the Earth, hand-crafted goods have existed. People have ...
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            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 ...
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The Village Blacksmith by Thomas Hovenden (American (born Ireland), Dunmanway 1840–1895 Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania

The Blacksmith

by Melody Amsel-Arieli Under a spreading chestnut-tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large ...
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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 ...
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Dressing table made by Althin, 1900-1913 photo: private collection

Crafting a Legacy: The Life and Work of Olof Althin

by Erica Lome, Ph.D. Today, few people outside of the antiques trade recognize the name Olof Althin (1859-1920), a Swedish-born ...
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  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 ...
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Rare Pitkin reverse swirl inkwell and flask

The Power of Pitkins: An American Classic Uncorked

by Kary Pardy If patterned antique glass has ever caught your eye, you’ve likely appreciated the flowing lines and swirling, ...
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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 ...
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West African peoples have adorned themselves with Venetian millefiori beads, intermixed with locally-made jewelry (left to right): blue-and-white “sand beads” made from powdered glass Vicks and Milk of Magnesia jars (Krobo and southern Ghana groups); reddish-brown bauxite, or aluminum ore, beads (Ghana); cast bronze bracelet (Baule); and cast bronze beads (Ashante).

Millifiore Glass Beads Glass: Gardens of “A Thousand Flowers”

by Sarah Turnbaugh Millefiori beads made in Venice, Italy, reached lofty technical and aesthetic heights in the late 1800s to ...
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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, ...
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A carpet loom by Carl Engel with a Jacquard machine on top, ca. 1860. Photo by Dmm2va7; CC BY-SA 3.0

A World of Weaving

by Mike McLeod Just imagine a world—if you can—in which the process of weaving was never discovered. Without weaving, people ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Pacific “Elite,” New Zealand, 1934

Industrial Design and the Radio – When Art Met Industry

By Peter Sheridan When it comes to radio design, the years from 1930 to 1940 presented a pocket of opportunity ...
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Amy Beach featured on the cover of Etude magazine in November, 1929.

Amy Beach: A Composer of Musical Firsts

by Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher “It has happened more than once that a composition has come to me, ready-made as it ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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An example of the Hohner Marine Band harmonica

The Harmonica: Musical Phenomenon of the Century!

By Judy Gonyeau, managing editor What do you think of when you see a harmonica? A blues player with hands ...
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"Antiquities: The Subject of New Regulations." How this will affect what you buy and sell

“Antiquities: The Subject of New Regulations.” How this will affect what you buy and sell

On January 1, 2021, the Senate voted to override President Trump’s veto of the massive, $741 billion US National Defense ...
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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 ...
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