Up ahead, a huge barn with gray weather-beaten boards loomed silently against the concrete gray sky. It was mid-morning, and the day itself was this side of raw, not harsh yet, but close to getting…
Month: December 2013
Friday at Auction Finds is readers’ questions day. I try to guide readers to resources for them to determine the value of their items. I’m not able to appraise their treasures, but I can do…
Falling hard for the Temptations’ “Silent Night”
Posted in Music, Performers, and Records
I first fell for the Temptations’ “Silent Night” like a woman in love. I couldn’t get enough of hearing Dennis Edward’s stirring lyrics and Melvin Franklin’s deep barrel of a voice. And who was that…
Friday at Auction Finds is readers’ questions day. I try to guide readers to resources for them to determine the value of their items. I’m not able to appraise their treasures, but I can do…
The wrongheaded sale of Jesse Owens’ Olympic medal
Posted in Black history, history, and Sports
It seems blasphemous that one of the 1936 Olympic Gold medals won by Jesse Owens was sold at auction over the weekend. It’s even more distressing that the man himself was never able to capitalize…
Numbers were small but talents were big at Harlem Doll Show
Posted in Art, Doll collectors, and Dolls
Looking over the display of disparate dolls, I knew that this had to be the work of several doll-makers. The three-tiered display sported cloth dolls and dolls with papier-mache-like faces, black origami doll ornaments, and…
Friday at Auction Finds is readers’ questions day. I try to guide readers to resources for them to determine the value of their items. I’m not able to appraise their treasures, but I can do…
A pig & lamb with a French accent
Posted in Advertising, collectibles, food, and Signs
The wooden pig and lamb had caught the couple’s eye. They didn’t know what to make of it and to be honest, neither did I. I had spotted the two (animals, not people) when I…
The idea seemed to instantly materialize in my brain. I hadn’t done any heavy thinking about it, but I knew it was time for me to step up: I’ll do Thanksgiving dinner this year, I said…