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# Thursday, July 30, 2009
Can antique postcards be mailed? Yes!
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

From a reader:

"I have an elderly friend who has what appears to be a paper postcard.
It is very thin and we wondered if it was a true mailable article?  Certainly not in today's world of processing machines.
We would appreciate any info you can supply. If need be I might be able to make a copy."
-John Short

Yes! Your friend may indeed mail an antique postcard. Even though it may be thin, he can place proper postage on it and bring it to the clerk window at his local post office. There he will have to request a "hand cancel" for the stamp. The postcard will then be processed by people, rather than machines.

It's a great way to say hello. Who knows, it just may introduce someone to a new hobby of postcard collecting.


-Posted by Eric Bradley

Ephemera
Thursday, July 30, 2009 6:33:03 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
Brimfield antiques shows owners headed to trial
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


It was reported this afternoon the owners of several Brimfield Antiques shows will take their suit against the village to trial. Town Meeting voters rejected changing the way emergency services fees are charged to owners, arguing the fees are the only way the village can provide such services and not go in the red.

More than 20 promoters run shows in May, July and September in Brimfield, Mass., along Route 20.

As first reported by The Republican, May's Antique Market, Inc., filed the original lawsuit in 2006. Owners claim the emergency services fees the town has collected from the 20 show owners have sometimes been more than $100,000 higher than the cost of police, fire and ambulance protection provided during the shows.

A second lawsuit seeking the overturn of the emergency services fees was filed in March by the owners of Mahogany Ridge, Shelton Antiques and The Meadows New England Motel & Antique Market.



Antique News | Antique Show | Antiques | Antiques Blogs | Antiques Show
Thursday, July 30, 2009 6:25:03 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Colonial Williamsburg offers historic textile symposium
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

One of the items on my "To do before I die" list is a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. I won't make it this year, but we'll definitely go while our daughter is still young enough to be impressed (and want to learn more) about the history of our relatively-young nation.

If you're lucky enough to be in the Williamsburg area this fall, you may be interested in this:

On Sep. 20-22, Colonial Williamsburg is hosting a symposium entitled “A Very Large Curious & Compleat Assortment’: Textiles for Interiors, 1730-1830.

Annabel Westman of Historic Furnishing Textiles of London, England, will give the keynote address.
 
Other presentations include:

Agreeable to your liking: Dressing up the House in Early America by scholar and author Elisabeth Garrett Widmer

Modern ideas of comfort: Textile floor-coverings in England, 1730-1830, by independent scholar Anthony Wells Cole

Gathering the threads: Unraveling interiors and textile sources, by Lynne Dakin Hastings, VP of museum operations at The Montpelier Foundation
 
Textile for Interiors 2009 Symposium registration is open to the general public.

For more information, visit http://www.history.org/history/institute/institute_about.cfm

Meanwhile, if you're from the area or have been there, what are some of the "can't miss" sites and experiences? Feel free to post a reply here on the blog.

Thanks!

— Posted by Karen Knapstein


Historic Preservation
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 1:40:44 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [1]
Are antique shops really just pawn shops?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

A troubling story out of Louisiana this morning got me thinking about a battle that took place across California a few years ago.

The News Star reports the Monroe City, La., city council will introduce an ordinance next week requiring antique shop owners to register and report their inventory like pawn shops are required to do.

An excerpt:

Police Chief Ron Schleuter said including jewelers and antique shop owners in the law, which is already a part of state law, would help law enforcement catch criminals. With the price of gold on the rise, the chief said thieves are taking gold items and selling them to the jewelers and antique shops at a fraction of what they are worth.

Schleuter said a Monroe resident recently purchased 16 gold coins as an investment, and 13 of them were taken from his residence. Ten of the 13 coins were recovered at jewelry stores and an antique shop.
In Monroe City, pawn shops report descriptions of their inventory and secure   identification of those wanting to sell their items to help police track down stolen goods. If passed after a public hearing at the council's Aug. 11 meeting, the new law will require the same of jewelry stores and antique shops.

Although the law's intention may be to protect the public, this bureaucracy will shut down dealers and snuff out tax revenue.

Can you imagine a dealer amassing a mountain of paperwork on their inventory? Can you imagine while taking a photocopying everyone's driver's license that walked through the door with something to sell?

No? Neither can I.

Why? Because proposed laws like this never distinguish between a spoon-carved dresser and a diamond ring.

Laws like this step on the free market principals that allow dealers and collectors to quickly and easily trade items. If Monroe City is really worried about theft, perhaps they should regulate whom in their county posts items on online auction sites? I bet most stolen goods are now fenced online rather than small shops across town.

Why make Monroe City, La., dealers pay the price?
 
-posted by Eric Bradley

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Wednesday, July 29, 2009 10:59:46 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Have you entered the Treasure Hunt this month
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

The end of July is almost here, meaning the end of the July Antique Trader sweepstakes.

CardsC.jpgIn case you missed it, the July Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes is featuring Dames, Dolls & Delinquents and the Antique Trader® Collectible Paperback Price Guide as prizes.

AND, in addition to those books, we're giving away some beautiful blank note cards (graciously provided by Heritage Auction Galleries) that feature illustration art from the Charles Martignette collection.

Make sure you visit http://sweepstakes.antiquetrader.com today and enter for your chance to win ... you'll be glad you did!

If you haven't already done so, you want to sign up on the Antique Trader home page (http://www.antiquetrader.com) for the free e-newsletters so you get fresh news and notifications delivered right to your in-box ... including when we launch new sweepstakes and contests.



— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

facebook-icon copy.jpgtwitter-250x250 copy.jpg• Find us on Twitter HERE.
• Find us on Facebook HERE.
• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your very own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.



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Tuesday, July 28, 2009 1:20:00 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Thursday, July 23, 2009
Rare Delaware sampler at All Saints’ Antiques Show
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.— A rare New Castle County Delaware sampler will be offered in the booth of John Tompkins of Richmond, Va., at the 60th Annual All Saints' Antiques Show next week. The sampler was worked by Priscilla Talley of Talleysville, in 1839, when she was 15. A sampler is a piece of embroidery produced as a demonstration or test of skill in needlework.

"The quality of the composition and colors belies the fact that it was made by a young girl," says Tompkins. "It has the folky qualities of something made by a much more mature craftsman."

Tompkins explains that the pot of flowers with hearts, the strawberry border, twin squirrels roosters, are all motifs encountered in Delaware Valley objects of this period, but rarely in such lush abundance.

The sampler was discovered in Richmond, still in the home of a direct descendant.

"It was kind of an Antiques Roadshow moment," he says. "The owner brought me in to see some pretty average furniture, and here was this amazing object hanging on the living room wall."

The verse Priscilla stitched seems appropriate for a minister's daughter, although other young women wrought similar verses to:

"This work in hand my friends my have
when I am dead and in my grave
and when the work each time you see
I with my Saviour hope to be

The work I leave to those I love
when I have flown to world above
When all my sorrow will be ore
When friends will need to part no more"

"There are a great many samplers out there for sale," says Tompkins, "but it is rare to find one with such lush composition and color, and with a great history as well. There are many Pennsylvania samplers, but Delaware examples are rarely on the market."

delawaresampler.JPGHeld at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, the show will officially launch 6 p.m., July 29 at the preview party. Tickets to the preview party are $30, which offers unlimited attendance over the three-day show. The show will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 30 and July 31, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 1. Admission is $7.

The show’s sponsor, All Saints' Church, is the only church in Rehoboth Beach on its original site and maintaining its original design. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places it was constructed in the 1890s to meet the needs of a growing number of Episcopalians migrating to the area.

Show managers Melrose & Duddy bring 25 years of antiques show experience to the All Saints’ show and have successfully managed antiques shows since 2007.

Additional information is available on the web at www.rehobothantiques.com.

Photo courtesy Rehoboth Antiques.


— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

facebook-icon copy.jpgtwitter-250x250 copy.jpg• Find us on Twitter HERE.
• Find us on Facebook HERE.
• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your very own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.


Antique Show | Antiques Show | Historic Preservation
Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:57:44 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Antique Trader 8/12 issue cover
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

It's out the door and on its way.

8-12 cover.jpg



Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:36:16 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
From the AT Staff: For the treasure seeker in us all
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

As I see it, there are two reasons why Antiques Roadshow’s popularity has secured the show’s spot in PBS’s programming roster for the last 14 years.

The thrill of the hunt appeals to the treasure hunter in us all. Stories of priceless antiques narrowly avoiding death by trash can or forgotten heirlooms snapped up at a rummage sale for pennies on the dollar keep us on the edge of our seats. I love watching an expert on the Roadshow excitedly explain a rare piece – its history and important design aspects – to its owner who then blurts out that she almost threw it away after using it to make popsicles for the neighborhood kids for 30 years.

Stories like these give us all hope that we, too, may someday discover an item that is truly rare and truly an antique.

This trash-to-treasure mentality piqued the interest of AntiqueTrader.com visitors. They logged a record number of visits to Anne Gilbert’s ASK AT appraisal last week of a Tiffany desk box. The owner purchased the box, decorated with what’s believed to be a hard-to-find “pine needle” pattern, for a mere $40 at a local rummage sale. Gilbert set the value at more than $1,000. More than 900 visitors have already logged on to read about the discovery.

On page 18, a collection of Chinese jade recently appraised at a Roadshow stop has just such a story. The collection broke the record as the most valuable item ever appraised in the history of the American version of the British-adapted television show. One woman’s father spent years searching for the jade pieces while stationed in China for the U.S. military. One bowl in the collection (that was likely carved for an emperor) was stolen from her brother’s Florida home and then sold to a man for $3,000. The family managed to track it down but had to pay $5,000 to get it back.

Our coverage of the July 11 Madison, Wis., Roadshow stop on page 16 offers a classy, behind-the-scenes look at the controlled chaos that takes place during tapings. It’s easy to see why antiques shows are still relevant and important ways to buy antiques. Our coverage of the July Brimfield Antiques Show on page 22 is all about the thrill of the hunt.

The second reason Antiques Roadshow is so popular is rooted in the objects themselves. Appraisers take the time to describe eloquently the craftsmanship, materials and methods artisans used to create the objects. Who doesn’t get excited watching the Keno twins practically quiver when they talk about the practice of Colonial furniture experts? Their careful selection of pine, maple or cherry made sure the furniture looked spectacular and help it survive hundreds of years. Careful descriptions of how pieces are made build appreciation of lost arts, such as hand chased silver, Native American weaving and hand carvings.

Take some time to research your favorite antique and collectible or write down how it came to your family. Who knows, by the 100th season it may be your ancestor on the other side of that podium, Antiques Roadshow 2095.

Eric Bradley
Editor


antique | Antique News | Antiques | Antiques News
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:22:14 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [1]
Question of the Week: Tell us about your favorite rummage sale find
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


Big or small – what is your favorite rummage sale or yard sale discovery?
Send the story behind your most memorable find by Labor Day, Sept. 7, and our judges will award the best story a copy of the 2010 Warman's Antique & Collectibles Price Guide, with bonus DVD.

Send your stories to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or to Found Treasure, c/o Antique Trader magazine, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54945.



Antique Blog | Antique Mystery Item | Antique News | Antique Show | Antiques Blogs
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:16:18 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Free Download: Antique Trader Traveler
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

AT Traveler summer 20092.jpgDid you know that the Summer 2009 issue of Antique Trader Traveler is available for download? And that it's completely free? No strings ... you don't even have to register. All you need is the Adobe reader.

For interesting news and features from historic destinations from coast to coast, including Vicksburg, Miss.; Coney Island; and Fredericksburg, Texas, download the Antique Trader Traveler PDF.

(The Adobe Acrobat Reader is required; CLICK  HERE for the free Adobe Reader).

CLICK HERE or on the cover image to download your Antique Trader Traveler.




Antique News | Antiques News | Historic Preservation
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 8:58:47 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Monday, July 20, 2009
Fun forum thread: Supply the caption
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

We've recently started a new forum thread in the Antique Trader forums. It's just for fun. And that's all.

Did the pic of the baby doll with the bug on its face leave an impression on you? That's the pic we chose as the first in a series that we're going to post that you can reply to and supply the cutline.

Or, if you like, start your own thread in the "Just For Fun" forum and upload your own image that you think would be fun to share.

Here's the one we posted: http://forum.antiquetrader.com/tm.aspx?m=234

Check out the captions that have already been posted and post your own if you're so inclined ...


— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Find us on Twitter HERE.
• Find us on Facebook HERE.
• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.





Antique Blog | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques Spoof
Monday, July 20, 2009 8:09:59 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Friday, July 17, 2009
Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show is Aug. 8-9
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Iola, Wisconsin, home to Military Vehicle and Military Trader magazines, will host a vintage military and gun show Aug. 8-9.

Billed as one of the nation’s largest historical displays of special equipment, the 18th Annual Iola Vintage Military Vehicle and Gun Show will include an array of vintage military vehicles and equipment, as well as vintage tractors, trucks and related equipment.

JAG jeep.jpgThis Korean War-vintage M38A1 is representative of the types
of vehicles on display at the Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show.
(John Adams-Graf photo)


New at this year’s event is a presentation Saturday morning on Native American Code Talkers. The day will also include a USO-type show. Opening the show will be the Oneida Nation Dancers with an honor guard presentation. Fashions of the time will be shown, followed by The Justmann Band – Big Band Show. A dinner is offered for an additional charge.

Vintage tractors and equipment are an important display of the show. This display will feature a multitude of old tractors and trucks that played a big part in making American agriculture production and transportation efficient.   It will include better-known, old-time tractors, such as John Deere, International Harvester, Oliver, Allis Chambers, Fordson, Massey Harris, Minneapolis Moline, etc., but also other tractors representing less well-known companies.

The Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show promotes the conservation, preservation and display of historic military equipment.  The shared public display of military history includes vehicles, equipment and arms, and is a recognized activity for the study and understanding of the important role military veterans and their equipment have made for peace and freedom.

The huge array of vintage military vehicles and equipment, particularly of the World War II and Korean War era, will continue to be one of the major features of the show.

Representative uniforms from several nations will be worn representing not only the U.S. services, but also other nations.

The two-day event also includes parades, a swap meet, living history encampments and World War II- and Vietnam-era battle reenactments.

The Gun Show, started 13 years ago, continues to be a convenient indoor exhibit on the grounds. 

The weekend of the show will also include the Fire in the Sky show on Saturday at 11:30 a.m., in which pyrotechnics and a helicopter will be used. On Saturday morning, The Community Blood Center will hold a blood drive.

Daily gate admission to the Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show is $6 for Adults and $4 for Children (ages 6-12).

For information, contact: Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show, P.O. Box 1, Iola, WI 54945; phone 715-445-4005; E-mail: mary@iolaoldcarshow.com; or go online to: www.iolavms.com.


— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.
• Find us on Twitter HERE.


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Friday, July 17, 2009 8:53:03 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Thursday, July 16, 2009
Theater used in Dillinger shootout up for sale
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


A South Bend, Ind., theater that was the site of a shootout after John Dillinger's last bank heist is going up for auction.

The historic State Theatre still bears bullet holes from police as they fired at Dillinger and his gang on June 30, 1934. A police officer was killed during the shootout. Dillinger is back in the public eye with the recent release of the movie "Public Enemies."

The theater will be sold by NAI Global of Albuquerque, N.M., in an online auction which ends July 30.The former owner is a minister who bought the theater three years ago for Christian entertainment but who now faces a foreclosure threat.

Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI agents in Chicago less than a month later.
Antique News | Antique Show | Antiques | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques Show
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:29:53 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
January Pier show added to Stella 2010 antiques show calendar
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


After a two-year hiatus, Americana & Antiques at the Piers has recently returned to the calendar of events produced by Stella Show Mgmt. Co.  designed to coincide with Antiques Week in New York, the 2010 show is scheduled for Jan. 23-24, 2010.

“We are very pleased to have this show again,” said Dorothy Stella, president of Stella Shows. “It has been sorely missed by our exhibitors and our customers. The piers were not available in January for several years. Now that dates have changed, we can have Pier 92 for Antiques Week in New York again.”

There is a wide variety of antiques events on the Stella Show Mgmt. Co. 2009/10 calendar including Antiques & Design in the Hamptons, Aug. 14-16; Country Living Fair, Sept. 18-20; the Modern Show, Oct. 16-18.


antique | Antique Blog | Antique News | Antiques | Antiques Blogs | Antiques News | Antiques Show | fine art | Folk Art | Modern | Modernism | pop art | Vintage Fashion
Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:34:53 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
Penn Auctions wins six NAA marketing awards this week
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


The National Auctioneers Association has awarded Rich Penn Auctions six different first place marketing awards at its annual convention and conference in Overland Park, Kan. this week.

The annual competition is presented July 13-18 in partnership with USA TODAY and this year judges reviewed over a thousand entries.

Penn Auctions was named first place in the categories of color catalog for antique auctions, color catalog for liquidation auctions and color printed material for automotive auctions as well as for online catalogs for both antique auctions and liquidation auctions and for black and white newspaper advertising.

Penn’s company specializes in auctions of country store, drug store, petroliana and advertising antiques.


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Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:31:49 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [1]
Pa. dealers launch street fair to promote antiques
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


Don't miss this on Saturday. Antiques dealers and enthusiasts in Quakertown, Pa., are banding together Saturday, July 18, to launch a street festival around collecting and enjoying antiques and collectibles.

 “Rock the Corners” features food, line dancing and “bargains galore” for collectors and casual buyers. The day long event is scheduled for the corner of East Broad Street and Hellertown Avenue (Routes 212 and 313).

Owners of the shops Antiques at 200 East and East Broad Antiques are holding open houses and 30 additional dealers will set up exhibits. Appraisal expert Ellen Schroy, will hold a signing of her latest book Carnival Glass, published by Krause Publications, as well as provide free appraisals.

Toy train expert Joel Lazarus will also be on hand to provide free appraisals and oversee on-site repairs. Quakertown has about 8,900 residents and is located 30 miles north of Philadelphia.


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Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:21:55 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Question of the Week: Native American relics
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Question of the Week:

As seen on page 8 of this week’s issue, should Native Americans buy a tract of land to preserve a rare archaeological site or does the current landowner have the right to sell the artifacts, using the site as a “diamond mine.”


Photo courtesy John Shishmanian/
NorwichBulletin.com

Post a reply here on the Antique Trader blog, or e-mail your replies to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or post your reply in the Antique Trader message boards HERE.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.
• Find us on Twitter HERE.




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Wednesday, July 15, 2009 5:41:44 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
Techno-collectibles?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


Someone has found a way to merge vintage tin toys with computer equipment and call it collectible. Maybe that's how the next generation will buy their antiques - with a plug!

musicbox_500x338.jpgIntroducing the music box USB drive - a vintage iron music box modified into a USB drive. Top lever also acts as rolling wheel of a mouse, usable for scrolling up & down text, changing window size, etc.

A USB drive is a portable data storage device - like a floppy disk.

Designer Bertrand Planes has only created five of the little iron music boxes ... for the antique collector who has everything?

How many will you buy?


antique | Antique news odd | Antiques | Antiques News | Outsider Art | pop art
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 4:56:28 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
Holt-Howard hits the spot
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

decantersc.jpg

Looks like Holt-Howard is on the minds and in the hearts of our readers. Last week's cover story, excerpted from Walter Dworkin's excellent book "Price Guide to Holt-Howard Collectibles and Related Ceramicware of the '50s and '60s."

Could it be a perfect storm is brewing for these funky affable ceramic pieces? Just take a look at how Holt-Howard has moved up the charts in the last week:

  • The Antique Trader Web site has had more than 600 hits on Dworkin's article in the last few days.

  • Kovels Komments, the weekly electronic newsletter published by Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles, writes today that Holt-Howard novelty giftwares are selling well again. Items were collected in the late 1980s but suffered a drop in price. Well, Kovels says those prices are on the upswing.

  • A quick survey on ebay shows Holt-Howard items are selling well. A classic Pixieware Lil' Sugar jar and creamer sold for $285 on July 3. A "brown skinned" Pixieware instant coffee jar from 1959 brought $216.50 on July 6.
Could Holt-Howard collectibles in the middle of a comeback?
Are you seeking a special Holt-Howard item?
Post your request here.


Antique News | Antique news odd | Antiques Blogs | pop art
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 4:12:26 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Take a break and play with some toys
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


Make plans to visit this show in Dover, Del., on July 26. Toy shows like this are a great out-of-mall experience. They bring back great memories or introduce you to something you never knew you wanted.

The Delaware Antique and Collectible Extravaganza will transform Spence's Bazaar, 550 S. New Street, Dover, Del., into what's being billed as Delaware's largest free outdoor antique and collectible show. 

Managed by promoters Toyshows.org, the show attracts antique and collectible dealers from the east coast who sell a wide variety of merchandise. Vintage furnishings, artifacts, jewelry, porcelain, ephemera, glassware, advertising collectible's and toys will be featured.

Admission is free. Show hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sales are prohibited before the 9 a.m. opening Rain date is scheduled for Aug. 2. For more information on attending or participating in the show, go to our web site, Toyshows.org  or call 856-302-3606.

As always, Antique Trader urges attendees to contact the promoter before traveling extreme distances.


Antique Show | Antiques Blogs | Ephemera | pop art | Toys
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 4:50:12 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [1]
Just for fun: What would the rest of the suite look like?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Picture this: a bed fashioned in the form of a loaded hamburger — cheeseburger, actually.

Handy Kayla Kroma fashioned the bed after being inspired by the movie Hamburger, where students sleep in hamburger beds. She and her bed have been the subject of several news and magazine articles, and now this "world-famous" bed can be yours!

Part of the eBay listing:

Own the world famous
HAMBURGER BED!!

starting at the VALUE MENU price of $.99

http://hamburgerbed.com/
The Hamburger Bed has been featured in 7 magazines and over
100 web blogs- including the front page of Digg.com!
It has over 12,000 fans on it's facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/hamburgerbed

The bed is up for sale on eBay (LEARN MORE about the hamburger bed). The current price is $570.

So what do you think? If the bed's a hamburger, what should the rest of the room look like?

Baked potato chair?

Oh, by the way: The pickle's not included ...

— Posted by Karen Knapstein




Auction | eBay
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 9:06:56 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [1]
# Friday, July 10, 2009
Jaw-dropping pearl ...
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Literally.

I was reading through the auction news this morning and my jaw dropped ... and actually "popped!"

There are a lot of things that I see cross my desk that make me pause in wonder and amazement. I hope I never lose my sense of curiosity and wonder. Nothing has ever made my jaw drop though. Figuratively — yes. Literally — nope. Until now.

Weiss AT 7-29 Pearl.jpgThis morning I was spying a curious picture and I couldn't figure out what it was that I was looking at. You may laugh (you won't be the only one), but I thought it looked like some sort of calcified brain ... morbid, I know. I read the accompanying article. Wow. Wow-wow-wow.

Can you imagine a five-pound pearl? Yes, you're reading correctly. Five pounds and measuring six inches across. I can't call it a beauty ... after all, I thought it looked like a brain. And I'm sure it's not destined for a jewelry setting. But it is a fantastic curiosity of natural history.

Philip Weiss will be auctioning this curiosity some time in September. Stay tuned! We'll let you know what's going on.

You can also keep an eye on the Weiss Web site at www.philipweissauctions.com/.

Do any of you think it looks like a "white brain" too? Come on, be honest ...

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.
• Find us on Twitter HERE.


Antique news odd
Friday, July 10, 2009 10:57:11 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
Antique auction news: some highlights and previews
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Theriault's is saving its fireworks for July 12 - some gorgeous and seldom-seen dolls

Largest sale ever planned for Morphy’s, Aug. 13-15

Skinner Sci-Tech auction, July 25

International interest makes strong showing at Alderfer auction

Ruger papers top the sale bill at Cowan’s Auction

Robert Edward Auctions celebrates most successful baseball card auction in collecting history at $10M

AT 7-22 Bedroom suite.jpgSigned rosewood Victorian bedroom suite brings $51,700

Isn't this an absolutely gorgeous bedroom suite?

The buyer got a good deal on it ...





antique | Antique Blog | Antique News | Antiques | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques News | Auction
Friday, July 10, 2009 10:40:36 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Thursday, July 09, 2009
Here they are: more article links
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


Newest articles:


Pixie-flair: Holt-Howard’s Pixieware ‘fad’ survives 50 years

Served up fresh: splendid salmon labels ... check these out! They are truly marketing ART for can-side display. Beautiful & colorful!

Collecting without cash - we'd love to hear your swap stories - successful or not. What works? What doesn't?

Can labels brought art to the aisles

Ask Antique Trader: Gargoyle hitching post finials are unusual

Milk’s letters making big news - Harvey Milk, that is ...

Antiques & Collectibles National Association announces New Orleans convention dates for 2010

Let us know what you like - and what you don't!

You can post a reply here on the blog or e-mail us: eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or karen.knapstein@fwmedia.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.
• Find us on Twitter HERE.





antique | Antique Blog | Antique News | Antiques | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques News | Antiques publications | Antiques, Atlantique City, Antiques Show, Antique Trader, Collectibles
Thursday, July 09, 2009 10:33:57 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Wednesday, July 08, 2009
NH man hawked paintings stolen from Fla.
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


NH man hawked paintings stolen from Fla.

SALEM, N.H. (AP) - Police say a stolen painting a New Hampshire man was selling on Craigslist was among $47,500 worth of antiques, furniture and other valuables he stole from a Florida home.

Twenty-five-year-old John McCulloch was arrested Friday after a potential buyer on Craigslist turned out to be a private investigator hired by the painting's real owner, William Shoemaker of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fla.

Police say Shoemaker came home May 4 and found his house cleaned out, allegedly by his houseguest, McCulloch.

The Eagle-Tribune says McCulloch told police he started hawking other paintings and valuables to get back home.

The painting that led to his arrest is by Wildlife artist Douglas Van Howd, the official White House artist during the Reagan administration.


antique | Antique News | Antique news odd | Antique scams | fine art
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 5:43:57 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [1]
Question of the Week: What's an "antique"?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


Vintage.

Antique.

Old.

Buyers and sellers use a lot of different words to describe something as collectible. But what is the working definition of an antique? How old does something have to be to be considered an antique?

Post a reply here, or HERE in the message boards, or e-mail your reply to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com.

antique | Antiques, blog, question of the week
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 5:30:42 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [3]
Now's the time to invest
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

This week's issue had a few articles devoted to 'affordable' collections as well as a column on how to collect without cash.
The two themes were the subject of this week's editor's note. They reminded me of our current economic crisis and how it should not deter veteran and novice collectors from getting out and enjoying the hobby.


You can’t escape the economy no matter how hard you try. Unemployment. Rising prices. Store closings. It’s to be expected that people are worried more about their mortgages than they are about adding a new gem to their collection.

This week’s issue is devoted to the idea that a quality and interesting collection does not require a seven-figure bankroll. Now more than ever collectors need to be reminded that the precious objects in their home are a source of escape, education and excitement.

As Mark Roeder explains in his column on page 14, to be a collector is not synonymous with being a ‘horder’. Being a collector means to be inquisitive, a researcher or an aficionado of fine design, among other things. Nor should ‘affordable’ be translated as ‘cheap.’ Many important collections were started with rather modest means. Important collections are built by people willing to spend time learning about their collection and preparing for the next purchase. That means reading reference books, talking with experts and inspecting items you already own.

“Most are so busy seeking out new additions that they don’t pay attention to what is right there in front of them,” Roeder writes. “Enjoying what you already have can not only be just as enjoyable as adding a new piece.”

Rearranging your collection or putting others away to make room for long forgotten treasures is a fulfilling way to get reacquainted with your items. Everyone has an item or two (or more) that could use a bit more research. Perhaps it’s time to weed out a few items.

Our cover this week focuses on two diverse, yet similar, collecting areas that are seeing ‘green shoots’ among collectors.

Nostalgic ceramicware items from the 50s and 60s can be found at most every antiques show, country auction or flea market. As you’ll see in Walter Dworkin’s piece, excerpted from his book “Price Guide to Holt-Howard Collectibles,” every collector can afford many vintage pieces.  While it is true values for Holt-Howard’s Pixieware collectibles are on the rise, an afternoon at any one of the nation’s larger flea markets or antiques malls will result in a find. Remember to take Dworkin’s advice when shopping: Never pay top dollar for a chipped or damaged collectible.

Melody Amsel-Arieli’s article on canning labels is an interesting look at the history and art of a relatively new collecting genre. Most labels can be found in every price range and a majority of them are valued at $10 or less.

Canning labels are just now entering an era of their own. Amsel-Arieli writes that collectors are charmed by their beauty or historical value. Like vintage ceramicware, can labels can be found here and there however an Internet search will generate many more leads.

No matter what your collecting passion may be, don’t let a temporary economic downturn steal your enjoyment in antiques and collectibles.

Get out and enjoy the hunt.

Eric Bradley
Editor


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Wednesday, July 08, 2009 5:24:06 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
And off it goes! Antique Trader 7/22/09
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

The newest edition of Antique Trader just headed off to the printer.

This week's cover features: those adorable Holt-Howard collectibles and vintage canning labels.

Oh, by the way: we change the cover to say "Pixie-flair" ...



What do you think of it?

— Posted by Karen Knapstein



Antiques Auction | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques News | Antiques, Atlantique City, Antiques Show, Antique Trader, Collectibles
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 5:15:06 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Saturday, July 04, 2009
Quick links to Antique Trader articles
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

For your convenience:

Sunny skies greet shoppers at Centreville, Mich., market
Going green with antiques at Marin County Antique Show
Barnes & Noble outlet hosts vintage book fair
Jackson’s death sparks surge in collectibles prices
Collect.com Auctions scores strong debut
Antique advertising association schedules annual convention
Third Reich rarities highlight July Affiliated auction

We have a lot of great information that's new on AntiqueTrader.com this week. There's even more information in the magazine.

You can subscribe to the print version for just 63 cents an issue! http://tinyurl.com/lsl677

— Posted by Karen Knapstein


Antique News | Antique Show | Antiques News | Antiques Show | Auction | Ephemera | green living
Saturday, July 04, 2009 8:55:42 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Friday, July 03, 2009
The newest issue of Antique Trader is in the mail
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Here's a look at the cover:


What do you think of it?



Antique News | Antiques News | Antiques, Atlantique City, Antiques Show, Antique Trader, Collectibles
Friday, July 03, 2009 8:47:21 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Thursday, July 02, 2009
Question of the Week: Similarities?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


What similarities do you see between the deaths of Elvis Presley, President John F. Kennedy and Michael Jackson?

Post a reply here on the blog or e-mail eric.bradley@fwmedia.com.


Antiques, blog, question of the week
Thursday, July 02, 2009 12:57:29 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [1]
The Great Unknown: matte cutter?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Every week, “Ask Antique Trader” receives scores of inquiries from readers, seeking more information about a recent find, a gift from a friend or relative, or an oddity that’s been sitting on a shelf for years.

We pass all of these questions along to our panel of experts, but once in awhile, we get a question about an object that stops us in our tracks. We want to share these unusual treasures with readers in the hope that they’ll offer their opinions and perhaps enlighten us all.

“Ask Antique Trader” will feature these oddities on a regular basis in the print and online editions of the magazine.

Send your comments to AskAT@fwmedia.com.

AT 7-15 matt cutter.jpgI have attached a photo of a vintage cutting tool I found when cleaning out my father’s garage. I have no idea what it is to be used for although someone thought it might be a photo matt cutting machine. Through any of your venues, could you help me identify this item, please?

The box is approximately 18 inches long and has a slide closure lid.  Inside are three cutting blocks with blades at varying angles, three triangular pieces the same length as the blocks and a long slender piece with holes drilled in it.

There are attachment screws and extra blades in the box.

Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated. If you can’t help, perhaps you could refer me to someone else who could.

Thanks so much.


What do you think this is? Post your reply here on the blog and let us know.



Antique Mystery Item
Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:01:53 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Any press is good press, right?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Can you remember a week where antiques and collectibles dominated the headlines as they did the week of June 21-27?

AT 7-15 Bradley_Eric.jpgTelevision, newspapers, blogs and the Internet were buzzing about major news stories that involved the value – or perceived value – of antiques and collectibles. First, Michael Jackson’s untimely death took his fan base and the rest of the world by surprise. Talk quickly changed from what killed the King of Pop to what will become of his estate – including his three children and millions of dollars worth of investments he made in antiques and collectibles. Jackson was a well-known collector and accumulator of fine antiques and show biz memorabilia. Scenes of Jackson practically emptying a Las Vegas antiques shop in a seven-figure shopping spree was rehashed in news reports following his death. The Associated Press reported Jackson’s estate owns about $20 million worth of antiques, old cars and “other property.”

Does even the most experienced dealer or collector even realize what $20 million worth of antiques and vintage cars would look like? Imagine your favorite mega-antiques show and estimate the retail value of everything on the floor. You would have to include part of the building itself to reach $20 million.

Jackson liked owning unusual things – but he also made some shrewd investments such as the catalog of songs by The Beatles, among others, which is purportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Time will tell if his fans are just as shrewd after scouring the Web in the days after his death to buy all manner of Jackson collectibles.

The second big story was dramatically smaller in dollars compared to Jackson’s estate, but it may create a comfy nest egg for its owner. Antiques Roadshow stopped in Raleigh, N.C., on June 27 as part of its 2009 taping season.

Appraiser James Callahan noticed something worthy of more attention in one woman’s collection of Chinese jade carvings. He put the collection’s value at about $1.07 million, a record discovery in the 13-year history of the American version of the British TV hit. The owner’s father purchased the collection during the 1930s and ‘40s while stationed by the military in China. Taylor expected the set to be worth about $10,000. The collection includes four pieces of Chinese jade and celadon from the Chien Lung Dynasty (1736-1795). Special marks on the bottom of a large bowl indicate it was carved for an emperor.

Antiques Roadshow appraisers review about 18,000 items at each stop. Show producers told media outlets that about 34,000 people applied for tickets to the taping but only 6,400 were picked. The $1.07 million appraisal will be shown on Jan. 4 as part of a new season of Antiques Roadshow.

If there truly is no such thing as bad press, let’s hope the week’s events – both fortunate and unfortunate – encourages a new generation to look at antiques and collectibles in a different light.

Eric Bradley

Editor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.
• Find us on Twitter HERE.


antique | Antique Blog | Antique News | Antique news odd | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques News | Antiques, Atlantique City, Antiques Show, Antique Trader, Collectibles
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 8:44:16 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]