A Good Egg

ARNE JACOBSEN (1902-1971) was an architect and designer who approached his work from both perspectives, making major contributions to Functionalism and Danish Modern style. With its organic, sculptural form, the Egg chair is recognized as an iconic furniture design both in Denmark and around the world, with many considering it Jacobsen’s principal design. The development […]

At Home with Ruby Lane’s Tom Johnson

By Paul Kennedy Tom Johnson appears to be a good guy. Accommodating, generous with his time, and possessing a sense of whimsy that’s almost impossible to resist, Johnson is disarmingly nice. He played trombone in the University of Minnesota marching band, has a rescue dog named Lucky Lu, and, at his Naples, Fla., home, has […]

Dictionary of Marks

The first American porcelain was made in the 18th century. Few factories stayed in business for long until the late 1800s. By then, there were several American companies making porcelain. Many made utilitarian items like tableware and toilet sets, but some made fine hand-painted decorative pieces, too. Around the mid-20th century, American porcelain production declined […]

Heywood-Wakefield Mid-century Desk and Chair

Q:  I grew up with this desk and chair in my bedroom. I know by the label that it’s by Heywood-Wakefield. Can you tell me anything about it and its value? A:  You grew up with a charming piece of Mid-Century furniture crafted by a furniture maker that is very much in demand by fans […]

Commemorative Jim Beam Antique Trader Bottle

Q:  I found two of these Jim Beam bottles in our local antique mall, and I couldn’t resist. I thought you might enjoy seeing a picture for obvious reasons. Can you tell me about the history behind the bottle? A:   Clearly, you have good taste in collecting! Your Jim Beam commemorative bottle is from 1968 […]

Fangs for the Memories

By Paul Kennedy Danger lurks. It always does when you’re a kid standing alone on an October evening just this side of Halloween, at the corner of Jackson and Eighth Street. I’m not far from my house, but right now, I’m definitely not close enough either. My buddies have long ago peeled off for home, […]

Antiquing in the Heart of Gold Rush Country

By Wayne Jordan Ride the time train from the film Back to the Future 3 to the days of the California Gold Rush. Pan for gold, ride in a stagecoach, and browse a wide selection of antiques at over a dozen shops, malls, and vintage emporiums. Truly, the Jamestown-Sonora corridor in Tuolumne (pronounced too·aa·luh·mee) County, […]

Fright Night Fun

By Mark Ledenbach Photos courtesy of Mark Ledenbach While the rest of us celebrate Halloween on October 31, Mark Ledenbach, one of the world’s leading authorities on collectibles centered on the spooky holiday, celebrates Halloween every day. Ledenbach, who has collected and studied vintage Halloween memorabilia for about 35 years, is so respected in the […]

Pow! Zap! Blam! Batman Toys a Hit at Heritage

An ultra-rare wind-up Batmobile tin toy from 1966, with a painted plastic Batman at the wheel and made for the Japanese market, sold for $150,000 to highlight Heritage’s two-day “Ultimate Batman Collection Signature Auction,” Aug. 4-5. The red open-top Batmobile was made by Yonezawa, one of the most imaginative and successful Japanese tin toy makers […]

Antique Wedding Trunk a Gift That Keeps on Giving

Unusual dome trunk received as a wedding present could be worth more than $1,000.  Q: I’m trying to get information and value about this unusual trunk. It’s about 100 years old. The original owners (now deceased) got it as a wedding gift. They said it came from Spain and cost about $1,000. The red/green covering […]