By Emily Otranto Simply put, an antique is any item — whether it be a work of art, jewelry, carpets or everyday objects like housewares and accessories — that is over 100 years old. Vintage items are much younger, less than 100 years old, and typically have a collector’s appeal. Vintage clothing, jewelry, watches, accessories, housewares and furniture are all […]
By Henry J. Pratt Surely, many words have been written and published about antiques and collectibles, as well as the men and women hobbyists across the country who buy, hold and sell interesting items from America’s yesteryear. One dictionary definition of the word “collector” reads: “A person or thing that collects items…such as stamps.” That really doesn’t tell us much […]
By Mel Tharp The harmonica has frequently been called the “musical instrument of the common man.” I think this was especially true in earlier times. The image of the cowboy, farmer, hobo, or some itinerant musician playing a doleful melody on the mouth harp is part of our folk culture. Little is known about the early history and development of […]
By Henry J. Pratt Scores of sewing machines hum, whirl, and whine in a busy workroom, half the size of the Denver Broncos Mile High football stadium. Tables overflow with red, white and blue cloth. A mountain of red and white stripes form like curtains on the floor, as material streams endlessly from the machines. Nearby, a woman methodically measures […]
Marjorie McLaren of Anchorage, Alaska, tells us, “June’s What Is It? shows two micro mosaic hat pins likely made in Italy in the mid 19th to early 20th century. Around that time wealthy people would take a Grand Tour of Europe – especially Italy – and would bring back colorful mementos such as these hat pins, made with tiny colorful […]
Follow Us