By Anne Gilbert    Would you hang a huge tin sign depicting a yellow Shell gasoline product in your living room? These days the concept of what is collectible has changed. Check out the TV show “Flea Market Flips” and you are in for a surprise. Prices are often in the high hundreds.    Late 19th and early 20th century advertising signs […]

By Robert Reed    There is still a bit of everlasting joy in a jar full of old marbles, sitting snugged away on a shelf and holding warm memories as well as vivid colors.    Marbles, of course, have been treasured by children for centuries, dating to the days of Egypt and later to Rome, where Emperor Augustus Caesar himself is said […]

By Anne Gilbert    Chances are you wouldn’t recognize a watch stand if you saw one. At first glance some look like small picture frames. The frames may be figural or even of a precious metal. They belong to a bygone era when watches were somewhat of a novelty and meant to be displayed when not worn. When they come to […]

By Anne Gilbert    Surprisingly ancient Roman glass objects are still showing up at auctions. But are they really ancient? As you are about to learn glass makers over the centuries discovered that they could learn a lot from ancient Roman and Egyptian techniques. And, glass fakers have never stopped reproducing faked ancient glass.    Emile Galle’ and Louis Comfort Tiffany experimented […]

July 4: Independence Day July 8: Liberty Bell tolls to announce Declaration of Independence (1776) July 20: Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong takes historic first steps on the moon (1969) July 26: Congress establishes U.S. Post Office (1775)   Caption: Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin formed the American crew that landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on […]