Carl Sammons: Prolific California Plein Air Artist
C.L. has an oil on canvas by Carl Sammons at 12” x 16”, which unmistakably pictures our Santa Barbara shoreline. Sammons was a prolific California Plein Air artist who began …
Philo’s Philco Predicta, 1958
MB from Carpenteria sends me a photo of his late brother’s Philco Predicta TV set, circa 1958, which features an outer spaceship-shaped swiveling 21” screen, attached by a remarkable single …
Savvy Irish Printmaker and his “Little Christmas” Prints
JF found a lovey etching with aquatint called “Bogland,” signed by living Irish printmaker John McNulty, edition number 122/175, signed and dated 1980’s. An etching, a type of intaglio print …
“Great War” Postcard Collection
BM sends me a sample of his grandmother’s “Great War” postcard collection. To receive an image from overseas from a loved one at that dire time must have been an …
December 18, 2018 is USA National Re-Gifting day
December 18, 2018 is USA National Re-Gifting day. Your personal stuff-whisper discloses RE-GIFTING protocol, along with ideas for foisting away last holiday’s seasons DOGS. Before you send out invitations to …
The Great Ansonia Clock Company
JF sends me a ceramic framed clock from his grandfather’s house. What’s the history of this flouncy, candy-box colored mantle clock? Henry J. Davies of Brooklyn, a clockmaker and designer, …
Something to Set Off Plates of Christmas cookies
D.K. scoured the town because she’s having family to her new condo for the holidays and she has no dining furniture at all. She shot me a picture of a …
The Kitschy Lady Lamp
At an estate sale about 20 years ago in Santa Barbara SS’s husband found himself drawn to a little waif with big eyes and great body. And he bought her. …
A Large Jade Money-Frog, Protector of Abundance
BB from the Mesa sends me a gigantic (28” x 16” x 18”) carved Ch’an Chu, the legendary Chinese three-legged frog of wealth, carved in jadeite. The stone appears to …
Cuckoo for cuckoo clocks
SL sends me an adorable Back Forest Clock, acquired on a German tourist trip. When SL purchased this little iconic Chalet Clock in 1960, what began in the 17th century …