Eagle River. Marquette. Jackson. The city names may sound obscure to most people, but to me and vintage currency collectors they are as familiar as apple pie. As a Michigander (a “Yooper” by birth) it’s a delight to find antique currency from the cities and towns I grew up in and visited all my life. […]
What’s Rockin’ in the World of Protective Polyethylene
Short of the Sears Wish Book or your latest auction catalog, collectors love paging through the latest catalog for Bags Unlimited, a collector’s clearinghouse for preservation supplies.
“Star Blecch,” or why are Captain Kirk and Spock smiling like that?
What’s stopping Captain Kirk and Spock from saving the universe? MAD magazine! You can read the MAD magazine spoof “Star Bleech” from the high-resolution images of the original art.
Chaos and Elkington Owls
Aestheticism is the Rodney Dangerfield of design movements: It can’t get no respect. Vintage English silver cups are quite common but examples from the Aesthetic Movement, decorated with owls, moons, stars and exotic plants, are the oddballs of the graphic design world and have a unique beauty if you look for it.
A Painting Comes in from the Cold
Appraisal events are funny things. I’ve had the opportunity to be on both sides of the table and it’s equally thrilling. The most entertaining and interesting stories are from people’s families and the objects that have passed down from generation to generation. Surprisingly, those objects are not always beloved – or even wanted.
Favorite Auction Items with Secret Spaces and Concealed Compartments
Have you ever discovered a collectible or piece of period furniture with a secret compartment, a hidden drawer, double meaning, or a concealed space? Some of these rare antiques and collectibles are made more valuable for what you can’t see – secret spaces and concealed compartments.
