Antique & Collecting News

If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you already know how much I love to give collectibles as gifts. Yeah, I'm a maverick and rarely look at the registry unless the wedding couple or new parents really are in need of basics.

And of course one of my favorite things to give are ornaments. Of course I don't know how the recipients really feel about the gift, but I do think they usually like them -- especially a boxed set like the Bride's Tree Collection or the Wedding Collection set both from Old World Christmas.

The last time I gave it (just this past weekend) the shower was also at our home, so I took it a step further and used the collection to decorate a feather tree in the middle of refreshment table. A few little extras were added to the scene, including Teena Flanner's wedding couple, some glass flowers, feather birds and two antique sets of bride and groom figures.

The Bride's Tree Collection originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 13:35:05.

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Values on Limoges Porcelain vary widely depending on the object, the decoration, and the skill of the decorator. See a number of different Limoges pieces and sets along with how much they sold for recently. Read more...

The Value of Limoges Porcelain originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 13:02:56.

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As a collectors you're most likely familiar with Department 56, even if you aren't a village collectors. But did you know how they got that unusual name or how the company started because of a holiday trip with friends? I'm sure it wasn't as simple as it sounds, but the story of start of Snow Villages is charming and something Christmas collectors love to hear.

• The story of Department 56
• More Department 56 Resources

Used with permission of Department 56

Department 56 originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 at 22:03:46.

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These tips actually apply to shipping lots of breakable items, but specifically antiques and collectibles. Make sure those valuable treasures you've carefully picked out for Mother's Day make it to their destination unscathed. Read more...

Sending an Antique Gift to Mom? originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 at 14:11:20.

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I recently did a series of articles highlighting the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany as seen in the Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, Florida. It was impossible to learn more about those incredibly beautiful works without delving into the life of the man behind them. Read more...

The Life and Art of L.C. Tiffany originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 at 13:49:06.

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Lots of quilts and other small textiles, like those made of cigar ribbons, were fashioned from cigarette silks distributed as premiums in the early 1900s. Often made in a series, these little pieces of Americana can be interesting and colorful in a number of ways, and also quite valuable. Read more...

What are Cigarette Silks? originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 at 13:40:00.

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As typewriters become more and more of a novelty, lots of people are intrigued by them. In fact, it's reported that actor Tom Hanks keeps an antique typewriter handy to type a quick note on occasion. Learn more about collecting these old writing machines including what models to look for and a few sample values. Read more...

Tips for Collecting Antique Typewriters originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 at 13:27:23.

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The Occupation of Japan by the United States and Allied Powers ended on April 28, 1952 — that’s 60 years ago this weekend. This painted tin motorcycle is typical of toys made in Occupied Japan. It sold for $10.80 at a Richard Opfer auction.

 

 

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The terrible spring weather brought this question up. What would you grab after family and pets are safe?

When you live in a hurricane area, there is usually a few days warning to prepare. When you live in an earthquake area, there is no time to prepare when it hits. A tornado is usually a little different, we may have some warning.

Living in an tornado alley, we can often feel when there will be problems and the television stations will give a bit of warning. Sometimes it might be 10 minutes, but a few weeks ago, we literally got days of notice that it was going to be bad. And it was.

So if you had 30 minutes to prepare, and we'll all assume that family and pets are first priority, what would be the next thing would you and take to the hidey hole with you. Me? I took my camera that had simple shots of the house "before the storm". Would you grab an antique? Your favorite cookie jar?

Thoughts? Comments?

What do you grab when a tornado warning comes on TV? originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 22:23:59.

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I thought this was a wonderful way to take care of a chore. What do you think?

• Circa: Possibly Late 1800s
• Size: 22" high (approx)
• Material: Wood

Do you know what this is?

Last week's Mystery of the Week

Also see:

• 10 Most Challenging Mysteries of the Week

Mystery Antique of the Week originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 23:06:52.

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Get ready! You can see Terry Kovel in action THIS WEEKEND as Kovels.com links to live web transmission of the April 26 – April 29 public television auction that benefits PBS station WVIZ in Cleveland.

You can bid on thousands of items—everything from antiques and collectibles to grocery-store gift certificates—and Terry herself is doing the auctioning!                  

 

 

 

 

 

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I love it when I find out about kids and their collections. It's always fun to find out just what got them started on their road to collecting and what they're looking for.

Case in point -- Samantha and her Nutcracker collection. It's a great collection and even if it doesn't grow much in time, it's something she can always keep and enjoy, especially during the holidays when she is an adult! I'd love to have a collection (today) that I could say I started when I was in first grade. How cool would that be?

• Samantha's Nutcracker Collection
• 8 Tips on Helping Them Start a Collection

Samantha's Nutcrackers originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 14:59:05.

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Now I'll be the first to admit that I love getting presents, don't get me wrong (just in case my kids are reading this), but the absolutely best presents are time. Time spent with my kids and their kids. Last weekend we got one of the biggest surprises ever when our son came into town on business and brought along our 7 week old granddaughter. We were not expecting that at all and he claims I went up to all sorts of strangers at the airport showing her off. Maybe I did, but it was an amazing surprise and taking a quote from a younger friend, it's the best life ever.

So if you're looking for a gift for Mom, how about spending some unexpected time with her. More than just the obligatory meal, help with a chore, the garden or even help indexing her collection. She'll love it. I guarantee it.

But if you really want to make or buy something for Mom, how about something vintage. If budget is a concern, check out the Trash to Treasure projects that all encompass vintage junk treasures.

• Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Your turn -- share your best gift ideas for Mom!

Gifts for Mom -- Thinking Vintage and Budget originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 at 15:17:07.

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I recently had an opportunity to learn a bit about cigar ribbon textiles and quilts and found them to be fascinating slices of Americana. Learn about these antique items that were repurposed before repurposing was cool and see several examples including a table mat and two wonderful quilts. Read more...

Original Repurposing: Cigar Ribbon Textiles and Quilts originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at 21:15:03.

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Dick Clark -- he was certainly a part of my teenage years, American Bandstand was a regularly watched television show. We all got to know Bob and Justine, the most popular dancing couple on the show (Yes, I was able to pull their names from my memory bank!), along with the excitement of seeing Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. All fueling the purchases of records and posters.

But it was Dick Clark who pulled it all together. I don't even remember who appeared on the show when I was a member of the audience at the Dick Clark show in New York City, but I certainly remember the excitement of being there, along with wearing my large IFIC button!

When someone famous passes away, it's often said we all never forget them. Dick Clark was such a strong influence in the lives of so many of us during our formative and often tumultuous years, that we truly will not forget him. Rest in Peace Dick Clark.

Read more:

• Dick Clark Biography
• Dick Clark's Memorabilia Auction Prices

© Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

RIP Dick Clark originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at 10:08:22.

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If you've been collecting for any length of time there is probably at least one item in the collection that stands out. Something that is notable for the price paid or not paid in some cases. Perhaps it was something stuck in a dusty corner at the back of a store or at a garage sale in a box with a bunch of junk. Or maybe it was something that wasn't worth much, but meant the world to you?

Most of us have a story, what's yours?

What's Your Best Find? originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at 08:03:27.

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Kovels Komments is a free weekly electronic newsletter about antiques & collectibles with insider tips, news, marks and more by national experts.

http://e.kovelsonline.com/html.asp?XZY6943934UTF27

Kovels Komments is a free weekly electronic newsletter about antiques & collectibles with insider tips, news, marks and more by national experts.

http://e.kovelsonline.com/html.asp?XZY6943931UTF27