May’s What Is It is a stocking purse. Glass beads and a length of 7 inches date this compartmentalized stocking purse to the 1840s. Two small rings slide to close the opening in the center that provides access to each of the end compartments. A larger purse was used in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Beaded handbags are durable […]
By Rachel Hoffman As an appraiser that also works in the retail antique industry, the subject of what an “appraisal” is comes up a lot. I find that in my retail store, Turn of the Century Antiques on Antique Row, people come in or even email me quite often asking for an appraisal for their item. What is an appraisal? […]
by Dede Horan Why do people collect postcards? There are probably about as many reasons for doing so as there are collectors. Some people are hooked by the nostalgia captured in these small pieces of paper. Others may have acquired cards from a relative and soon find themselves adding to their new collections. Some images are so eye-catching that they […]
By Rachel Hoffman Several times a year, I donate my time and expertise to local museums as part of an “Antiques Roadshow” type of event for fundraisers. Recently, I did one for the Aurora History Museum. One of my favorite appointments was a sweet elder man named Carl. He was my second of the day. He gently came up to my table and sat […]
We had several correct guesses to our April’s What Is It. The medal pictured is the Victoria Cross. It is a British decoration awarded for conspicuous bravery and begun by Queen Victoria in 1856. (Photo courtesy of the British Royal Mint.) What makes this “military medal” so valuable? To answer that question, we must look at the story behind the […]
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