When a Collector Becomes a Connoisseur
When I taught Decorative Arts at a SBCC, I had a room full of English speaking students, with one Japanese student, Haruto, who knew only a few English words. I …
Record Prices Set for Vintage Hot Wheels (Really!!)
Do you have any of these Hot Wheels? 1973 Pink Ferrari 1969 Blue Redline Olds 442 Yellow Redline Cipsa Mexican Sand Witch Ice Blue Redline Olds 442 Dark Purple Mustang …
How to tell if your fashion doll is valuable or haunted
EH sends me loads of photos for valuation of antique dolls, perhaps because (and this is a joke) she heard I have a doll phobia. This condition dates back to …
Merging of Object and Experience Creates Value
Here’s a list that will make you money: If you own a vintage, 30 years old Nintendo or a vintage Atari, you can sell it to GenXer’s who may feel …
Souvenir Bad Elster Spa Glass with a Story to Tell
GC inherited a souvenir blue colored late 19th century glass with the place name “Bad Elster” inscribed in gold. I can guess this little vessel came as a memento from …
Ever Seen Anything More Hideous Than This Rococo Revival Chair?
CP from Santa Barbara sends me a photograph of an ornate mahogany armchair with a carved and cartouche-crested top rail, a pierced and carved back splat and throne-like arms which …
American Empire Furniture Considered Heavy and Dark
GB sends me a photo of an American Empire sofa from the early to mid-19th century. Since I receive many questions of value for this furniture style, I bearer the …
A Meandering Path into Parisian Paintings by Paul Reynard
Millions of people email me photos of paintings of nostalgic Paris street scenes. Most of them are straight from the Rive Gauche art seller’s street stalls, painted by unknown semi-proficient …
Humorous Moustiers Candlesticks Make a Political Statement
A local doctor, who reads my column, received this humorous pair of candlesticks from a patient almost 40 years ago. This thoughtful patient purchased them in Paris 20 years prior …
The Rotten Kids Dolls Appall Appraiser
Well, the universe did it again. I’m terrified of dolls and this past week Jessica sent me photos of twenty-five to thirty dolls which are possibly the most horrifying dolls …