I had to look up to see the red suitcase atop some furniture at the auction house. There was nothing unusual about the luggage itself, just the form that someone had given it. It was…
Month: July 2016
When I first say the group of hotel “Do Not Disturb” signs in a tray on the auction table, I was surprised and curious about why someone would bother to take them. But the more…
Vintage sprinklers to unwrinkle your clothes
Posted in bottles, collectibles, Home, and Women
Did you see the sprinklers, my auction buddy Janet asked as I was looking at some item I was not likely going to buy at auction. When she said it, the image that came to my…
Reader seeks lyrics to song by gospel composer Thomas A. Dorsey
Posted in Black history, Ephemera/Paper/Documents, and Music
Friday at Auction Finds is a day to answer readers’ questions. I try to guide readers to resources to help them determine the value of their items or learn more about them. Today, a reader…
Vintage farm wagon with Gourds for Sale sign
Posted in collectibles, Equipment, and history
The farm wagon was an old workhorse that had seen better years. It still had its wooden wheels, and its black paint had deep chips and scratches but was mostly intact. The wagon was perhaps the…
A counter jar full of colorful cigar bands
Posted in Art, collectibles, and Personal items
The big glass jar was chock full of colorful cigar bands, all looking as if they’d just been delicately removed from too many cigars. Individually, they were about size of a man’s swollen ring finger. I…
The rectangular box sitting atop a table at the auction house bore a picture of two men with guitars serenading two dark-haired women. The inscription on the picture was in a language I did not understand.…
1950s TV lamps spark a feeling of awe
Posted in collectibles, Home, Lighting, and TV
Wow, I thought as I saw the two shelves of rather unusual but lovely lamps at the auction house. There were almost a dozen of them – all made of glazed ceramic in the colors…
Friday at Auction Finds is a day I answer readers’ questions. I try to guide readers to resources to help them determine the value of their items. I’m not able to appraise their treasures, but I…