By Maureen Timm    In 1680 an Irishman named Robert Boyle discovered that if you rubbed phosphorus and sulphur together they would instantly burst into flames. He discovered the principle that was the precursor of the modern match.    The next discovery was by an Englishman. In 1827 a pharmacist called John Walker produced “Sulphuretted Peroxide Strikeables,” which were a yard long […]

By Bobbie Sweeney    New Year’s Day is a special day for everyone in the world. Most countries have observed the first day of the year as an important day for thousands of years. Although customs vary from nation to nation, and the time of year varies for different reasons, the meaning is the same to all. The beginning of a […]

By Anne Gilbert    If you like the look of old glass shades but can’t afford one of those big, super costly Tiffany chandeliers or table lamps there is a solution. Think small. Consider building a collection of individual glass lamp shades that may have been part of a wall fixture or a hanging chandelier with several shades. In the mid […]

By Anne Gilbert    The good news for beginning collectors of antique furniture is that it is being sold at auctions for low, almost give-away-prices. Now is the time to buy if you are knowledgeable. Consider that there is more supposedly 18th century furniture now than the population at the time who would have used it. When you see examples at […]

By Henry J. Pratt    To top things off for the famous and exotic, Lloyd’s of London insured the shapely legs of Marlene Dietrich, the velvet eyes of Elizabeth Taylor, and even the sensitive nose of a perfume sniffer worth his weight in gold.    More than 100 years ago, Lloyd’s reputation as a sound, reliable insurance operation was solidly demonstrated to […]