We had several correct guesses for our November’s What Is It contest. Pictured are nozzles for firemen’s hoses. Brass hose attachments seen here are, from left, two pipes (one with a leather cover and handle) used when volume was regulated by the pumper and two later nozzles with shutoff cocks.  Congratulations to our winners: Jean Helzer of Arvada, Colorado; Matt […]

We had no guesses for October’s What Is It. It will remain a mystery. The Rocky Mountain Antiques store in Loveland will have it on hand for any reader who would like to examine it. We’re sorry that we      couldn’t help in this search. Let us know if you know what it is. We will publish any information about this […]

We had several guesses for our September’s What Is it. Marjorie McLaren of Anchorage, Alaska, knew exactly what it is. She writes: “It is a molded glass perfume bottle, and related box, produced in 1927 by Les Parfums de Rosine in Paris, France. The perfume was named “Spirit of Sant Louis” in honor of the plane flown by Charles Lindbergh […]

   Golden Haired Woman Figurehead attributed to Louis Joubin, 1883; 73 inches high; sold for $98,600 in 2008. Photo courtesy of Northeast Auctions.    The golden-haired figurehead in her white and green gown seems confident and casual about her ability to calm Neptune. Battling the wind she embodies the spirit of the sailing ship as she looks down over the waves. Soothing […]

   We had no correct answers for our July’s What Is It. Perhaps if we had shown the front view it would have been easier to identify.    This object is a combination lock made in 1869. The exquisite workmanship, even its brass mechanism, visible in this rear view, is decorated.    It was made by the Herring Company of New York City. […]