Send your answers to the What Is It contest, postmarked by April 20, to the Mountain States Collector, P.O. Box 1003, Bailey, CO 80421. At least three winners will be drawn. Winners will receive a year’s subscription to the Mountain States Collector.

Ever since repeater pocket watches were made over 300 years ago for the wealthy and nobility, they have been seriously collected by those who could afford them. There is something fascinating about their characteristic tiny gongs that ring out when a lever on the side is pushed in. The original purpose of the gongs was to tell time in the […]

 William McLaren of Ancorage, Alaska, ventured a guess for our February’s What Is It. William writes, “At first glance, the What Is It? appears to be a painting or a drawing of an American frontiersman of the 1700’s, holding a long-barreled weapon, presumably a Kentucky rifle.  The clothes worn appear appropriate for the period.  I am uncertain of the hat, […]

We had no correct answers for our January What Is It. The object is a 19th Century pharmacy tool — a powder folder used to hold meds in the days before solid tablets. This brass powder folder was listed in an 1874 catalogue. It is a rare device today. Readers, try your luck with the February What Is it. You […]

 We had no correct answers for our December’s What Is It. The object is a miniature carved soap or soapstone placed under a magnifying glass. The man is dressed in a military uniform. When viewed it is amazing to see the details.  This two-part paperweight is a relief of the Duke of Wellington in pinchbeck alloy (an alloy of copper […]