This woman surely loved dolls and stuffed animals. They were all over and under the tables, and stacked in plastic bags under trees at the side of her house. They gave the first inkling of…
Category: collectibles
The inscription on the paper in the photo was pretty clear. The question, though, was whether it was historically correct: “Badge worn by Sahra Douglas, Born Sept. 19 – 1817 A Slave Dyed May 12…
Ceramic dogs with a proud name
Posted in collectibles, and pottery
Everywhere I went, I kept seeing these ceramic dogs, their faces turned sideways, with black noses and a fixed stare. First at one auction house, then at another. I saw the latest as I was…
A slew of antique sewing boxes
Posted in collectibles, and Sewing
As I turned the corner into another section of a new auction house I was previewing, a well-lighted case caught hold of me. From where I stood, I could make out small spools of thread and…
Chewbacca’s head on a platter
Posted in collectibles, and Movies
The auctioneer didn’t exactly mention the word “rare,” but that’s what he was hinting at when the furry brown head of Chewbacca came up for bids. I had noticed it during my walk-through at the…
A Little Blue Book on how to get a job
Posted in Books, and collectibles
The book in the glass case at the auction house was a littler smaller than my open hand, but the title gave it some heft ? Little Blue Book No. 1340. How to Get a…
Gone are the golden years of radio
Posted in collectibles, and Computer/Electronics
I couldn’t believe the prices the vintage radios were going for. These were too lovely to sell for so little, and it was disheartening to see them so devalued. Shelves and shelves of some of…
Lighting up with Zippo
Posted in collectibles, Military, and Personal items
The man brought in several boxes of lighters, the auctioneer told me, because his collection had become overwhelming. “You know how it is from coming here,” he reminded me, and I understood. I’ve gone to auctions long…
A lesson in Taiwan butterfly specimens
Posted in Asian, and collectibles
As I approached the large picture-frame case with the butterflies, I sighed when I saw the words “Made in Taiwan.” It seemed like a disappointing let-down to what I had seen on the auction-house website of…
Do you keep old household products?
Posted in collectibles, and Kitchen
Looking at the items on the tray at the auction house, I felt like I had stepped back 50 years. They were products we all use – many still in their boxes, well-preserved. Some were…