Antiques

If you're researching the style of a piece of antique furniture, looking at the feet is a great place to start. Foot styles can also help you determine the age of old furniture, since different foot styles were popular during varying periods. Read more...

I was surprised recently when I ran across American art glass book that included some misinformation about Durand art glass. In fact, I didn't realize what I had read there about the company wasn't true until I did a bit of investigating elsewhere. My sleuthing led me to find out the real name of the company that produced this beautiful glass, who co-founded the company, and when all this came about. Read more...

I recently read about an increased interest in "mantiques" in Great Britain via The Wall Street Journal. The feature cited these types of antiques as being artifacts and interesting objects gathered on travels to add interest and personality to living spaces. I personally see mantiques as collectibles that tend to interest men more often than women, and I've cited a few examples in a related feature. Read more...

Necklace is a good overall descriptive term for a piece of jewelry worn around the neck. But if you're searching for a specific necklace style, or trying to sell one, then it helps to know the correct terminology. And, some styles fit into more than one category. Take the choker as an example. It's a type of necklace, but there are also several styles that fall under the choker category. Read more...

A year ago today I was in Las Vegas, Nevada checking out the work of Rick Dale and his American Restoration team.  We saw some really cool stuff lurking behind the scenes at Rick's Restorations while talking with Dale about his background, what motivates him, and what he would restore if there were no limits. Read more...

An upcoming exhibit at the Museum of Art and Design in New York shines the limelight on renowned collector Barbara Berger and her amazing stash of costume jewelry. But you don't have to make the trek to New York to get a glimpse. A new book, Fashion Jewelry: The Barbara Berger Collection, by author and costume jewelry expert Harrice Miller offers a look at 250 select pieces while educating about the collection. Read more...

If you're in New York City during the span of April 11-14, 2013 think about dropping by the  The New Yorker hotel for the mother of all stamp shows. Yes, more than 5,000 collectors are expected to hit the NYC Stamp Show so you know there will be some skillful haggling going on to get the right stamp at the right price. Shows aimed at collectors are a great place to learn in addition to buying. So if you've ever had a curiosity about stamp collecting and want to view everything from the rarest of the rare - like one of seven 2-Cent Pan American Inverts shown here purchased in 1978 for $7,500, now worth $46,000 -  to stamps most anyone can afford, don't miss this excellent opportunity.

Most Easter baskets today are filled with chocolate goodies, plastic eggs and a toy trinket or two. But in the early 1900s, candy actually came in containers that served as toys once they were empty. They were often made of glass, and shaped to coincide with a holiday like the rare rabbit family example shown here. Read more...

I'll be heading to the Round Top and Warrenton antique shows (there are a number of them spread out over miles of ground between these two towns!) over the next few days. Dealers travel from around the country with their best stuff for these shows, so it's always an exciting prospect. I never cease to be amazed at what I witness and learn when I visit an antique show, even if I don't find a treasure to bring home that day. Read more...

I was looking at some amazing original artwork by Joseph Christian Leyendecker that was reproduced on a Saturday Evening Post cover in 1926 (shown here) to be sold at a Heritage Auctions sale next month, and it made me think about collecting magazines. If you've ever wondered what makes an old magazine worth buying, or a new magazine worth keeping, one of my features here on About.com might give you some clues. Read more...