Antique & Collecting News

I got a note from an About.com user that prompted me to revise my article on hammered aluminum. Apparently recent changes in automatic dishwasher detergent formulation will cause the products to stain these vintage wares. Read more ...

Warning: New Phosphate-Free Dishwasher Detergents Stain Hammered Aluminum originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 22:54:48.

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Miriam Haskell is one of the most sought-after names when it comes to vintage costume jewelry. There are a number of great resources online to help you research your Miriam Haskell finds, and identify unmarked pieces you might not even recognize as Haskell. Read More ...

Researching Miriam Haskell Jewelry originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 22:29:05.

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Most every month on one particular weekend in Austin, Texas, dealers converge on the Palmer Event Center to unload their wares for City Wide Garage Sale. Don't let the name fool you though, this is more of a cross between an indoor flea market and an antique show than a garage sale will ever be. Page through to see some of the things you might find there any given month. Read more ...

Visit Austin's City Wide Garage Sale originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 22:21:02.

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Not an antique, but something that I think is very useful. What's your thoughts -- and BE SPECIFIC!

Size: 2"

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Last week's mystery antique.

• Wordless Wednesdays on About
• See more Wordless Wednesday Blogs
• More Mystery Item Quizzes

Mystery of the Week originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 00:05:02.

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Classic Pulp Art burst into the spotlight in Heritage's August 2010 auction. Led by Hugh Joseph Ward's The Evil Flame, a Spicy Mystery Stories pulp cover which lead in the auction's $2.591 million in offerings.

It is the highest price ever realized at public auction for a pulp magazine cover. What do you think it sold for?

©Heritage Auction Galleries

The Evil Flame originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 15:10:34.

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Collecting vintage handmade marbles is a study in glass and art, as the artisans shaped the glass by hand with basic tools.

I've wanted to attend the Ghoultide Gathering ever since I first heard of it a few years ago, alas it's just too far away. Several favorite artists offer their works and in some cases it's one of the few ways to actually buy their pieces. If you love and collect Halloween and live within driving distance of Northville, MI -- think about attending. I promise it will be worth it!

Read more . . .

Image ©Ghoultide Gathering

Ghoultide Gathering - 2010 originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Sunday, August 29th, 2010 at 20:57:34.

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One of my favorite spots to look at, drool, enjoy, covet (pick your term) vintage and antique holiday items is Morphy Auctions. They never disappoint and September's auction is full of wonderful things.

Kewpie Doll and a Jack O'Lantern are a strange pairing, but adorable. Auction date -- September 11, but bidding is online now!

More Halloween Picks:

• More About Kewpie Doll and Jack O'Lantern
• Transylvania Pillow
• Witchy Cauldron Cookie Jar

©Morphy Auctions

Rose O'Neill Kewpie in Jack O'Lantern originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Friday, August 27th, 2010 at 23:02:37.

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Acquire the decorative vocabulary of oriental area rugs, and learn to speak a language that is centuries old.

The Kennedy half dollar an easy, yet challenging coin to collect.

A deeper appreciation of an oriental area carpet comes with an understanding of its motifs and symbols.

Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Halloween and this pillow is one of my favorite new collectibles for this year. I absolutely adore the catstudio geography pillows, so was delighted to see this at the recent New York Gift Show. The pillows are a bit pricey at $149., but at least they're not breakable -- like so many collectibles. The good news: if you like the design, the coordinating dish towel is only $20. (Note: I have been a little disappointed in how much my towel has faded). The pillow and towel can be found at local gift stores or directly online from catstudio.

Read more . . .
Image ©catstudio.com

Transylvania Pillow for Halloween originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 21:57:47.

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Size: 10.5"

THE ANSWER

Want to find out when the answer is posted or in this case, figured out? Subscribe to the weekly Collectibles newsletter.

Last week's mystery antique.

• Wordless Wednesdays on About
• See more Wordless Wednesday Blogs
• More Mystery Item Quizzes

Mystery Antique of the Week originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 00:54:32.

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Although we go all out and a bit crazy when it comes to Christmas decorating and collecting, Halloween is still my favorite holiday and time of the year. So for the next few weeks I'll be showcasing Halloween collectibles.

Today's pick is an inexpensive, but adorable Halloween cauldron cookie jar. I found this at a Cracker Barrel restaurant gift shop. The jar is heavy, well made and costs $24.99. They had loads of fun Halloween decorative collectibles, as well as a great looking Scarecrow cookie jar, complete with matching salt and peppers.

More :Halloween Cookie Jars

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like -- Halloween! originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 at 21:19:07.

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The U.S. Postal Service annually celebrates American artists with each new collectible postage stamp in its American Treasures commemorative stamps series.

Cobalt blue bottles and apothecary jars are widely collected, with some rare pieces selling for more than $1,000. Collectors should learn what to look for.

Antique apothecary jars from cobalt blue glass to large porcelain pieces are becoming hugely popular as collectibles. The best ones are also the rarest.

Nutcrackers have been around for centuries, the earliest ones being simple stones used to crack the shells. There are metal nutcrackers dating back as early as the third or fourth century B.C., porcelain and ivory nutcrackers, and of course the beautiful wooden nutcrackers that are avidly collected today. Today's wooden nutcrackers are made by a variety of companies and in almost every figure imaginable, from the stately kings and soldiers to whimsical licensed pieces.

Collect by company, subject, size -- whatever, but as always, when investing in a fine collectible, buy the best you can and only what you love!

Nutcrackers and Nutcracker Collecting

Image Courtesy of Kurt S. Adler

Nutcrackers and Nutcracker Collecting originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Saturday, August 21st, 2010 at 20:52:23.

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The mystical component of an oriental area rug derives from its origins in an ancient oral tradition.

Antique rugs from the Tabriz region of Iran bring warmth and style to contemporary decor. Most antique Persian rugs are still affordable.