Life
Antique toys conjure fond memories — and fetch premium prices
A Moxiemobile, named for the turn-of-the-century soft drink, sold for $2,600 at a recent auction.
Life
Hooked rugs developed into an art form — and a collectible
Especially prized are the rugs made a century ago at Grenfell Mission in Canada’s Maritime provinces.
Life
Fetching vintage Coca-Cola advertisement fetches big money
The self-framed tin lithographed sign showing Elaine, the girl on the company’s 1916 calendar, sells for more than…
Life
‘Pocillovy’ is the obscure hobby of collecting eggcups
It stems from Victorian times, when nearly every type of food had its own specialized dish and utensils.
Life
Strange piece of art pottery goes all the way back to the 1890s
This strange piece of art pottery is a cornucopia vase, popular in the 1930s. It was made by…
Life
Vintage advertising often relied on fanciful illustrations
This poster of turn-of-the-century tandem cyclists pedaling to the moon sold for a cool $6,600.
Life
What was a tiny bisque vase shaped like a man used for?
Maybe it held flowers for a day, or maybe it was a match holder, but it could also…
Life
This folk art whimsy by John Scholl auctioned for over $4,000
A woodworker, Scholl’s carved decorations are thought to be among the most important works of the 20th century.
Life
Circa 1800 silhouette of woman in a bonnet was ‘cut by mouth’
Born without hands, Martha Ann Honeywell (1786-1856) could cut and paste, thread a needle, embroider and write using…
Life
19th century New England resting ram figurine was a doorstop
The 9-inch hand-molded animal sold for $144, probably because it was missing part of his horn and an…
Life
Bucher bentwood box sells for more than 4 times its estimate
Collectors treasure the hand-decorated storage boxes made by the Bucher family from about 1750 to 1800.
Life
Strange antique made from Southern yellow pine is a punkah
It was the “air conditioner” of the early 19th century. A man called a “punkah wallah” pulled a…
Life
Brownies toys were based on children’s books circa 1879
The popular characters were featured as paper dolls, trade cards, rubber stamps, card games, puzzles and cloth dolls.
Life
This bandanna was made in celebration of US’s 100th birthday
It’s just one of the many souvenirs from the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, celebrating the signing of the…
Life
Three Ming Tree vases each have a different trial glaze color
The very modern looking pottery, introduced in 1949, each sold separately at a recent auction.
Life
Toleware coffeepot from 1700s Pennsylvania auctions for $544
The tinware lost favor when copper and silver plate became more available because tin often rusted.
Life
Terra cotta jars in 1800s and 1900s held loose pipe tobacco
If you have a jar with the initials JM, they made by Johann Maresch (1821-1914) and sell for…
Life
How store signs drew attention before electricity was invented
Cigar store signs are readily recognizable, even a century later.
Life
Famed Chelsea porcelain ‘Goat and Bee’ jug auctions for $3,700
The milk jug desiged by Nicholas Sprimont about 1742 was inspired by the tale about two goats and…
Life
Wooden figure of San Rafael the Archangel made circa 1763
Fra Andreas Garcia, an 18th-century Mexican Franciscan friar and folk artist, carved and painted the figurine.