I had just walked into the room of items-with-auction-prices-so-high-I-could-barely-see-over-them when an auctioneer-owner from another house waved me over. She was standing near a simple black coffee table with a wavy top and puzzle base. As…
Uncovering Our History Through The Relics Left Behind
Posted in Businesses, collectibles, Ephemera/Paper/Documents, food, Performers, and Radio
When I saw the round paper discs lying in a box on the auction table, I was certain they were the lids for old milk bottles. Those glass bottles were delivered at homes before I was…
Posted in collectibles, pottery, and Reader questions
Friday at Auction Finds is Readers’ Questions day. I try to guide readers to resources to help them determine the value of the items they own. I’m not able to appraise their treasures, but I…
Posted in Art, Black history, collectibles, Crafts, and Culture
My auction buddy Janet had missed the two baskets entirely. I had, too, on my first walk-through at the auction house – a new one for me but a return spot for her. They were…
Posted in Books, collectibles, and Ephemera/Paper/Documents
I get a lot of requests from readers about how much their matchbook covers are worth. This blog post offers suggestions on how to determine what you have and the market value. Each Friday, I answer readers’ questions…
Posted in African American women, Books, collectibles, Photos, Tins, and travel
I listened as the owner of the booth told a customer about his radio show and how he could guess a caller’s collectible or antique item without seeing it. I found the notion unbelievable, and…
Posted in Art, collectibles, Figurines, and Halloween
We had taken a wrong turn out of Kennebunkport after watching black-clothed surfers riding and flipping on small tidal waves. They looked liked tiny seals against miles and miles of the ocean blue Atlantic behind…
Posted in China, collectibles, dishware, Glassware, Home, and Kitchen
My auction buddy Janet and I picked out five items at auction recently to see how well we’d do against some of the TV auction shows in choosing valuable items. Each day this week, I’m…
Posted in collectibles, and travel
My auction buddy Janet and I picked out five items at auction recently to see how well we’d do against some of the TV auction shows in choosing items that were valuable. I’ve blogged about…