An Early Steam Punk Drafting Table
CB sends me a photograph of an old drafting table which intrigued me. This form of furniture isn’t designed for the uses of the body (eating, sleeping, sitting) but for …
Family Heirloom Reflects Long History of Mirrors
EP owns a little pressed brass beveled glass mirror, inherited from her grandmother. The repoussé design of the courting couple depicted gives away its date. She’s in a hoop skirt, …
Glenn Dallas Gallery
Galleress Lalia Alamri, Director of Glenn Dallas Gallery, talks about what it’s like for a female gallery owner in Santa Barbara. Two of the artists associated with Glenn Dallas Gallery, …
A Cameo Parure with a Family Connection
JA sends me a lovely parure of three-coral cameo jewelry pieces. Parure implies a set of three or more matching pieces of jewelry made to match. The history of a …
For the Love of Vintage Hats
MG from Santa Barbara received a collection of mid 20th century hats from her grandmother. Notably one, a streamlined head-fitted cloche style with a large silk label: “Mr. John.” This …
Puppeteer Steven Ritz-Barr
Master puppeteer Steven Ritz-Barr talks about his new film, The Legend of Joan of Arc, which is available May 8th and features a cast of 25 puppets.
Benjamin Disraeli, a Great Find in Rare Books
“You don’t even know who I am” (a famous Disraeli quote). Christa and Elaine of a local estate sale company called to say “The Clearing House” sent them a 20-volume …
All About Hats
On this solo show, Elizabeth talks about the beauty of hats, all sorts of hats.
Selling Collectable Books? Learn the Market
PL owns a series of nine books, Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, dating from 1916 to 1925 by the author Elbert Green Hubbard (1856-1915). If you know the …
Pinballs and Jukeboxes: Quaint Nostalgia
PP sends a picture of a pinball machine with a label on the back “Modified by Wurlitzer Distribution Corporation, Pico Blvd, LA.” The card game related pinball machine is dated …