As I watched the movie, I looked keenly for the snow-white leather sofa. It was the prop that stood out the most last summer at an auction that sold furniture and accessories from the movie “Dead Man Down,” scenes…
Tag: auction
Readers ask about March on Washington album & ukelin music
Posted in Music, Reader questions, and Uncategorized
Friday at Auction Finds is readers’ questions day. I try to guide readers to resources for them to determine the value of the items that they own. I’m not able to appraise their treasures, but…
I always wander among the furniture at auction houses because I never know what will catch my eye. Along with the heavy antique pieces are usually items that don’t fit into any space and defy my imagination.…
The jukebox was a mighty mess. Someone had attached pieces of tape to keep the front from falling off. One of the plastic decorative arms on the side had a small crack. The wood-grain finish was scuffed and scratched.…
Watercolors by an artist named Dawson
Posted in Art
The paintings were quite lovely, that was my first thought as I saw them hanging on a wall at the auction house. They were watercolors, clean without any signs of poor upkeep or torn canvas…
I could barely read the maker’s name on the neck of the doll. That’s the first place to look to find out who made a doll, vintage or modern. The dim overhead lights at the…
Readers ask about F.A.I.P. lamp & how to find an auction
Posted in Home, Lighting, and Reader questions
Friday at Auction Finds is readers’ questions day. I try to guide readers to resources for them to determine the value of the items that they own. I’m not able to appraise their treasures, but…
The black and white photo was magnificent in both its expansiveness and the history it captured. Through the dirty and dusty glass frame, I could see long rows of horses tied to wooden fences. Just beyond the…
Aunt Julia’s Cook Book of African American recipes
Posted in Books, Cooking, and Ephemera/Paper/Documents
The first thing that caught my eye in the box on the auction table was a small folded sack with the words “Georgia Cured Bacon” in faded print. I don’t consume pork but I am…
“I Feel Good” James Brown doll
Posted in Dolls, Music, Performers, and Toys
Auctions are about more than just antiques. They’re also about kitsch, and what can be more kitschy than a singing James Brown doll. Such a doll showed up at an auction I attended last weekend…