Collecting 101
An informative collection of articles and columns curated to enhance your collecting experience. Learn how to effectively run an antiques business from Wayne Jordan, discover proper care and preservation of your antiques, take a master class in antique appraising from the experts at the Asheford Institute of Antiques, and much more. Class is now in session.
Appraisals | Book Reviews | Business of Antiques | Care and Preservation
The World's Most Valuable Vacuum Won't Even Clean Your Home
Who pays $4.4 million for a vacuum cleaner that doesn't work? The rich! And fans of Jeff Koons' art.
Miriam Haskell: Costume Jewelry of the Stars
With creative partner Frank Hess, Miriam Haskell designed affordable costume jewelry pieces promoted by some of Hollywood's biggest names. Discover why her vintage items are in such high demand.
Tough Times Demand Tougher Mom Names
Today's little girl names are way too cute. Chloe? Luna? Riley? Yikes! To ward off chaos and societal collapse, we need a return to the strong, iron-fisted Mom names of yesteryear. It may be our last hope.
How to Preserve Furniture Like The Pros
Easy-to-follow advice on how to keep your cherished furnishings looking good for years to come from the people who do it for a living.
How to Preserve Your Memories
Artifcts, an exciting new venture, can help preserve your most precious collectibles and memories – from images, audio, video and text – with a click of a button.
The Vanderbilt Ball of 1883
Alva Vanderbilt's extravagant costume party rocked the world of New York's upper crust and socially elite.
Grant's White House China Served Presidential Pizzazz
From scalloped botanical-themed plates and what are affectionately referred to as 'fish plates,' the White House China of Ulysses S. Grant and First Lady Julia Dent Grant dished out eclectic presidential tastes.
Torn Up Over a Lousy Honus Wagner Card
How can a mangled Honus Wagner baseball card that looks like it was attacked by the Great White Shark from 'Jaws' sell for more than half-a-million dollars? If this isn't the end of common-sense, we sure can see it from here.
How to Identify Antique Enamels
You can easily distinguish between champlevé, cloisonné, niello, guilloché, taille d’epergne, plique-à-jour and more. Here's the secret.
How Farrah's Poster Earned Wall of Fame Honors
Released in 1976, Farrah Fawcett's famous pinup sold 12 million copies, became the most popular poster in history and landed in the Smithsonian thanks largely to great timing, a killer smile and a red swimsuit. Here's the story.
How to Identify Juliana Jewelry
Made by DeLizza & Elster, Juliana Jewelry offers distinct characteristics that savvy costume jewelry shoppers can learn to spot.
Vintage Christmas Costume Jewelry
What’s colorful and fun, and collectible year-round? Christmas costume jewelry!
The Sad But True Story of Rudolph
How did a despondent copywriter, mired in the darkness of his own life, manage to create a holiday classic of perseverance and hope? Discover the uplifting story behind "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
Something More Than Free
Instead of selling unwanted stuff, what happens when you simply give it away? You might be surprised by the richness of the experience.
How to Identify Unmarked Costume Jewelry
Identifying unmarked costume jewelry is one of the biggest mysteries collectors face. With a little know-how, savvy collectors can turn sleepers into keepers. Here's how.
