A Saucy Paper Collectible
PS sends me an old theater program from Treasure Island’s California Auditorium of 1940: Clifford C. Fischer’s Folies Bergere, showing a gorgeous “doll” with a strategically placed feather boa, pearls, …
Wall Mounted Clothes Dryer
C.B. sends me a photo of what appears to be a contemporary wall-mounted wooden sculpture. A further look shows its title is “Leader Clothes Dryer Pat’d July 4, 1899, GEM …
The ultimate back scratcher
My friends at the Unity Shoppe asked me to identify an odd-looking stick thing with a head like a padded cloud (called a plaquette), with a long hardwood handle in …
Moving!?
What to do when faced with a BIG move? I helped a lovely Santa Inez family move their older dad to the East Coast. Here are some hints of ways …
Local legends in the art world: Popo and Ruby Lee
S.F. has a portrait of a young woman wearing a turban over flowing hair, with her delicate hands in a prayerful gesture. The piece is signed Popo and Ruby Lee, …
A Print by Modigliani – Really?
DM sends me a print which is a silkscreen, a female head in red, signed Modigliani in the print itself. I met DM at a Road Show locally: I often …
Art Deco, French-style
Strolling down State Street, I peeked into a new business, Members Only: Barber Shop and Art Gallery. Intrigued, I paid a visit to Franco, tonsorial artist, as his card announced. …
A mystery painting: I need your help
JF has a painting that has me stumped. I welcome any help from my readers. Let’s see if YOU can help me appraise this painting. Here’s the background: JF writes …
Soma Ware Bowl
T.A. sends me this simple elegant heating and cooking utensil called a Hibachi. Most Americans associate Hibachi stoves, ovens, grills, cooking vessels – of which there are many, for different …
The era of living room cocktails
Before we had dry bars, such as the 1935-1940 Chinese export owned by B.R., we had blind pigs or blind tigers, otherwise known as speakeasies. B.R.’s dry bar — a …