The engravings of blacks were the first that caught my eye. They were among a group of eight from a book published in the late 19th century by a woman named Mary A. Livermore, a…
Category: history
When I saw the little black item with the small square on top, I instantly shot a photo of it. In this particular form, the item was a far cry from its descendants of today.…
How to get more African American artists on Wikipedia
Posted in Art, Black history, and history
Friday at Auction Finds is readers’ questions day. 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 can do…
I was nearing the end of the catalog for the sale of African American manuscripts when I turned the page and read the entry: “(RELIGION.) SHARPTON, REV. AL.” I immediately looked at the black and…
Patent date isn’t exactly the year an item was made
Posted in Equipment, history, and Reader questions
Fridays at Auction Finds is readers’ questions day. I try to guide readers to resources to help them determine the value of their items. From time to time, I get emails from readers mistakenly assuming…
The big hunk of a dictionary was resting on the auction table like a giant paperweight. From the look of it, I could tell that it was ancient. So I wondered how this old storehouse of American language…
The male auction-goer placed his numbered sticker right dab in the center of the fabric case. The sticker’s bright yellow color was a brilliant contrast to the faded and tattered gray lining of what looked to…
American Red Cross Clubs for blacks in WWII Paris
Posted in Black history, Ephemera/Paper/Documents, history, and Military
The map with the red cross was innocent enough. Anyone seeing the symbol would automatically know that it represented the American Red Cross before seeing the name across the top. I didn’t think much about…
The man and the airplane in the photo were from another era. He had a speck of a smile, and he was wearing an early 20th century U.S. Navy pilot’s uniform, with cap and goggles.…
Reader asks about Ebony greeting cards for Black History Month
Posted in Black history, Ephemera/Paper/Documents, and history
Friday at Auction Finds is readers’ questions day. 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 can do…