Chagall’s “L’Accordeoniste”
J.E. sends me a lithograph in colors by Marc Chagall entitled “L’Accordeoniste” exhibiting some fundamental themes: his childlike style, dream-like figurative images (some of which are chimerical), and wonderful colors. …
Lichtenstein Print
A few articles back, R.S. saw my column on a print by Roy Lichtenstein Why Not Put All the Men on the Moon? and sent me HIS Lichtenstein print titled …
Japanese woodblock prints: Underappreciated works on paper
L.S. has two Japanese woodblock prints by Hiroshi Yoshida: “The Temple Yard” and “The Toshogu Shrine.” Since the market today is soft for these works of fine art, Japanese woodblock …
Sleeping with the Aesthetics
Sleeping in this bed, which R.S. sends from San Francisco, could have been Oscar Wilde, Max Beerbohm or Aubrey Beardsley. They would have dreamed in late 19th C. of artistic …
‘Bo Peep’ and her sheep on silver-plated tumbler
R.P. likes garage sales, he writes, and 20 years ago found this “Bo Peep”-themed silverplated tumbler. The vessel bears the inscription “Robert 1888.” The tale of a shepherdess losing her …
Japanese Kimono
K.F. owns a black crepe kimono inherited from a friend whose dad collected it in Japan for his wife in 1930. The only identifying mark is a white embroidered circular …
Gauging the value of an American Flyer train set
G.C. of the Santa Barbara shop Random has a toy train set by A. C. Gilbert Co. In the world of objects, each “thing” is a unique idea; an object …
Victorian Oil Lamps
L.T. from Santa Barbara sent me these two – a matching pair – of paraffin oil lamps, dating to – what I suggest – may be 1880. I can date …
Dear ‘805,’ that stamp may very well be worth something
“805” has an antique leather postcard, featuring a 1 cent stamp, postmarked by offices in Palo Alto and Dixon, Ill. The address simply reads “Ms. Sisquella Crosby, Dixon, Ill.” If …
Two Elegant Northwest Native American Baskets
M. L. from Santa Barbara mailed me two pictures of two baskets: a lidded one, which she believes was crafted by the Native Americans of the Northwest, according to family …