Features
The Name of Luxury Royal Doulton has stood for the finest in bone china, ceramics since 1815
Royal Doulton “Pomeroy,” pattern # D5270. Inspired by Davenport engravings of 1793, made circa 1933-60. (image courtesy of cynthiafindlay.com)Dec 2024 / Jan 2025Cover Story The Name of Luxury Royal Doulton has stood for the finest in bone china, ceramics since 1815by...
Got a light? Smoking accessories continue their collectible streak
If there’s one thing advertising in the 1950s and ‘60s taught us, it’s that smoking was an activity that brought people together. (Image courtesy of Pinterest)November 2024Cover Story Got a light? Smoking accessories continue their collectible streakby Corbin...
A real cut-up Jack-o’-lanterns bring whimsy, fright to Halloween
Treasure your creatively-carved jack-o’-lantern while you can – they’ll begin to get soft and moldy after roughly three to five days. (Image courtesy of Manicpumpkincarvers.com)October 2024Cover Story A real cut-up Jack-o’-lanterns bring whimsy, fright to Halloweenby...
A bridge to another time Covered bridges still stir up our nostalgia
Missouri’s Sandy Creek Covered Bridge, located in Hillsboro, is seen framed by winter snow. (Image courtesy of Facebook)September 2024Cover Story A bridge to another time Covered bridges still stir up our nostalgiaby Corbin CrableThe covered bridge The covered bridge...
Fun Under The Big Top Circus collectibles reflect colorful history, memories
This vintage-looking circus tent evokes a feeling of nostalgia and memories in the making. (Image courtesy of Vecteezy.com)August 2024Cover Story Fun Under The Big Top Circus collectibles reflect colorful history, memoriesby Corbin CrableRevelers young and old have...
Adventure Awaits Travel posters jump-start travelers’ wanderlust
The Royal Mail Lines Pacific Line took travelers to any number of South American countries. The cruise ship company’s life was short, operating only from 1932 to 1965. (Image courtesy of antikbar.co.uk) July 2024Cover Story Adventure Awaits Travel posters jump-start...
See a movie, get a gravy boat
Image from adobe firefly Dec 2024 / Jan 2025 Everything Old See a movie, get a gravy boat by Corbin Crable Holiday Films The holiday season is big business for the film industry, and even though many former moviegoers prefer to stay home and stream their favorite...
Smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em
If there’s one thing advertising in the 1950s and ‘60s, The “Marlboro Man”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” (Image courtesy of Pinterest)November 2024Everything Old Smoke ‘em if ya got ‘emby Corbin Crable Until the mid-1960s Until the mid-1960s, the act of smoking was an...
Legend has delighted, spooked us for centuries
Edward Hull, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsOctober 2024Everything Old Legend has delighted, spooked us for centuriesby Corbin Crable Pumpkin-carving season Autumn is upon us, and with it comes pumpkin-carving season. Maybe you’re planning to load the family up...
Libraries remain essential part of our communities
Photo by Seven Shooter on UnsplashSeptember 2024Everything Old Libraries remain essential part of our communitiesby Corbin Crable September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, and if you’re a lifelong reader like...
The Greatest Show on Earth
Photo by Becky Phan on UnsplashAugust 2024Everything Old The Greatest Show on Earthby Corbin Crable For generations, circuses have given the American public the chance to forget their troubles and be entertained by physical comedy, fantastic feats of derring do, and...
We all scream for ice cream in July
Photo by Brooke Lark on UnsplashJuly 2024Everything Old We all scream for ice cream in Julyby Corbin Crable In 2024, July celebrates its 40th anniversary as National Ice Cream Month, so grab a spoon and enjoy a heaping scoop while I share a bit about its history. July...
Prices vary for early Russel Wright-designed items
1927 - 2023ANTIQUE DETECTIVE Prices vary for early Russel Wright-designed itemsby Anne GilbertThe big hunt for Russel Wright (1904-76) Fiesta pottery, chrome objects and furniture that began in the late 1970s and ‘80s, has leveled off, as have prices. It all depends...
Would you recognize a Chinoiserie-finish antique?
May 2023ANTIQUE DETECTIVE Would you recognize a Chinoiserie-finish antique?by Anne GilbertJapanning or Chinoiserie Whether you call it Japanning or Chinoiserie, if it was made before the 20th century, call it expensive. Even some examples made in the early 20th...
Once-popular painted porcelain plaques can be pricey and reproductions
April 2023ANTIQUE DETECTIVE Once-popular painted porcelain plaques can be pricey and reproductionsby Anne GilbertPainted Porcelain Plaques Back in the 1970s and ‘80s, 19th-century small or miniature painted porcelain portrait plaques were hot collectibles. When they...
Little lights for winter celebrations
December 2024Good Eye Little lights for winter celebrationsby Peggy Whiteneck Candlelit fairy lights (AKA fairy lamps) were popular in the 19th century before access to gas and electrical lighting. George Miller Clarke invented fairy lights in England in 1844, just...
Gobble up these collectibles for Thanksgiving
November 2024Good Eye Gobble up these collectibles for Thanksgivingby Peggy Whiteneck Pilgrim forms made of cloth, straw, or ceramics are useful as decorations for Thanksgiving but not so much for the rest of the year. Broadening our focus, there are many...
Feast your eyes on delicious antique custard glass
October 2024 Good Eye Feast your eyes on delicious antique custard glass by Peggy Whiteneck Custard glass is creamy ivory or pale-yellow pressed glass that was popular in the late 19th and very early 20th centuries. It was used in tableware made by some English and...
Fall in love with New York – quilting adventures with the American Quilt Study, Part 2
December 2024Covering Quilts Fall in love with New York – quilting adventures with the American Quilt Study, Part 2by Sandra Starley Every fall, lovers of quilt history (old and new) meet to share research, treasures, and friendship at the Annual Meeting/Fall Seminar...
Fall in love with New York – quilting adventures with the American Quilt Study Group
November 2024Covering Quilts Fall in love with New York – quilting adventures with the American Quilt Study Groupby Sandra Starley What could be better than touring New York in the Fall with a lot of friends and antique quilts? Not much! Once again I had the...
Adventures in quilt rescue
October 2024Covering Quilts Adventures in quilt rescueby Sandra Starley Several years ago, I acquired a funky leaf appliqué quilt from an online auction. I put in a single small bid, then forgot about the item. I was surprised to find that I was the new owner,...
Save big this season at Wichita’s Paramount stores
December 2024. Save big this season at Wichita’s Paramount stores Two big sales at Paramount Antique Mall and Paramount Marketplace in Wichita are sure to keep you busy as you try to lose those pesky holiday pounds. The stores’ “Shop Your Turkey Off Sale” takes...
Christmas Small Mall gives kids a chance to shop for the holidays
December 2024. Christmas Small Mall gives kids a chance to shop for the holidays The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum’s tradition of selling cost-effective gifts to the little elves in your family continues with its 19th Annual Children’s Small Mall, Dec. 7-8 at the...
Close out the holiday season at Jesse James and Rusty Chandelier Antique Malls
December 2024. Close out the holiday season at Jesse James and Rusty Chandelier Antique Malls While everyone else is hitting the stores to return Christmas gifts on Dec. 26, you can bask in savings at Jesse James Antique Mall and The Rusty Chandelier in St....
Keokuk, IA, celebrates 10-year restoration of 1891 Union Depot
December 2024Vintage Discoveries Keokuk, IA, celebrates 10-year restoration of 1891 Union Depotby Ken Weyand Back in its day, the massive and ornate Victorian-style depot building built in 1891 was a centerpiece of Keokuk, IA. Then a bustling transportation center,...
Poster recalls Ozark Air Lines, TWA, and an exciting cross-country flight
November 2024Vintage Discoveries Poster recalls Ozark Air Lines, TWA, and an exciting cross-country flightby Ken Weyand Recently, I found an old aviation poster, rolled up in a corner. It’s a reminder of the days I had a love affair with aviation, writing about its...
‘Forgotten airport’ found in Kansas City Area
October 2024Vintage Discoveries ‘Forgotten airport’ found in Kansas City Areaby Ken Weyand When I was putting together the 1970 book, “Aviation History in Greater Kansas City,” a few of the old-time pilots I interviewed mentioned the old “Police Airport” in North...
“A Century of Royal Doulton Character and Toby Jugs” By Steve Mullins with David Fastenau and Louise Irvine
December 2024Books for Collectors Century of Royal Doulton Character and Toby Jugs By Corbin Crable Collectors of Royal Doulton ceramics – for more than 200 years, the giant among other luxury home goods brands – “A Century of Royal Doulton Character and...
“The Handbook of Vintage Cigarette Lighters”
September 2024 Books for Collectors “The Handbook of Vintage Cigarette Lighters” by Stuart Schneider and Ira Pilossof By Corbin Crable Vintage cigarette lighters can be found just about everywhere you look, including at garage sales, estate sales, swap...
“The Complete and Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls” By Hilary Shilkitus James
April 2024Books for Collectors“The Complete and Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls” By Hilary Shilkitus JamesBy Corbin Crable You’ve seen the more contemporary Barbie dolls everywhere, but Hilary Shilkitus James’ book “The Complete and Unauthorized Guide...