Watch papers have long
been neglected by collectors, but now they’re becoming popular.
Originally used as a packing
between the inner and outer case of a watch to protect its works, they
became keepsakes in the mid-18th century.
Read More
Jade,
ivory, horn, and marble should be lightly dusted with a soft brush or
dry, soft cloth. Keep these objects out of direct sunlight, since they
may dry out and become brittle. Always handle these objects with care
when moving them. More Tips
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me
The
ABC’s of Collecting Online
by Ray Boileau
If
you’re like many collectors today, you’ve already discovered the
Internet, specifically eBay, for buying and perhaps selling antiques and
collectibles–for good or bad.
More Books
I
have a one-armed chair passed down to me and I'm interested in knowing
what it is and what it was used for, besides sitting. It is very
delicate and sits low to the ground, it also only has one arm.
Helen Read more
EARLY TECH AUCTION OFFERS
RARITIES
Cologne, Germany - We
live in an age of technology, so it’s fitting that pieces of early
technology should be high on collector’s lists of most wanted items.
On June 18, Auction Team Köln, the premier specialty auction of
technical items since 1987, headed by Auction Team Breker, held it’s
quarterly Science & Technology, Office Antiques, and Toys and Tin
Toys auctions in Cologne, Germany.
Read
More
An
acanthus is:
a plant or shrub
an ornamental motif
the Greek god of harvest
a finial To see the answer
Instructions
on sending photographs of your pieces.
Updated October 2, 2007
18th-Century
Safe Deposit Box by Bob Brooke
Many
people take safe deposit boxes for granted today. But in the 18th
and early 19th centuries, they didn’t exist, so people had to store
their valuable documents–bills of sale, certificates, etc.--in small,
locked wooden boxes which ranged in size from 5 to 12 inches long and
from 4 to 5 inches wide. Most were made of pine covered in leather, such
as this one, or painted or stained. This American-made domed box, from
the author’s collection, has a stamped brown leather exterior with
tiny flower design, attached with brass nails. It’s top is attached
with leather hinges. It’s interior is covered with paper decorated in
a blue diamond pattern. Due to a some minor leather repair on the rear
of the box and a replaced handle, the value of the box is between $500
and $600.
If
you’re like many collectors today, you’ve already discovered the
Internet, specifically eBay, for buying and perhaps selling antiques and
collectibles–for good or bad.
Many
people take safe deposit boxes for granted today. But in the 18th
and early 19th centuries, they didn’t exist, so people had to store
their valuable documents–bills of sale, certificates, etc.--in small,
locked wooden boxes which ranged in size from 5 to 12 inches long and
from 4 to 5 inches wide. Most were made of pine covered in leather, such
as this one, or painted or stained. This American-made domed box, from
the author’s collection, has a stamped brown leather exterior with
tiny flower design, attached with brass nails. It’s top is attached
with leather hinges. It’s interior is covered with paper decorated in
a blue diamond pattern. Due to a some minor leather repair on the rear
of the box and a replaced handle, the value of the box is between $500
and $600.