Blog
"Blueberry Custard," 1961, by Wayne Thiebaud, oil on canvas.
Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Like bubbles blown on a summer's day, our thoughts are small, inquisitive, sometimes mildly entertaining as they float on the breeze, catching a ray of sunshine and then -- pop! -- they are gone. But not today. We saved some here. For you.
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.
The Vanderbilt Ball of 1883
Alva Vanderbilt's extravagant costume party rocked the world of New York's upper crust and socially elite.
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 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.
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.
A 'Fuel-ish' Space-Age Attraction
What's the strangest tourist attraction in Florida? Forget the World's Largest Alligator, you'd be hard pressed to top an abandoned external fuel tank from NASA’s defunct Space Shuttle Program.
Halloween Cards Offer A Pun Time
The first Halloween cards in the U.S. were produced in 1908, offering every punster a chance to welcome the holiday with a groan.
Breaking Through a Stained-Glass Ceiling
Clara Driscoll, the nearly invisible design force behind many of Tiffany Studio's finest stained-glass lamps, overcame staggering obstacles to illuminate the artistic talents of women hidden in the shadows of early 20th-century America.
Taken For A Ride
Remember the car you drove when you first got your license? Who doesn't. But what if no amount of pleading could pry the family car out of the garage? What then? Thank goodness for the buddy system.
Working the A&W, the Best Summer Job Ever
Was there anything better than the old A&W Root Beer Stand? Nope. So in honor of National Root Beer Float Day, we order a tall, frosty mug of summer memories, when serving root beer and ice cream was about as good as it gets.
The Ice Gun: A Forgotten Space-Age Kitchen Gadget From 1935
The iconic, and super rare Ice Gun is a piece of Art Deco hardware that Buck Rogers would love, blasting sci-fi coolness into cocktail hour.
Etch A Sketch The Perfect Modern Toy
Introduced in 1960, the Etch A Sketch, with its TV stylings and power of instant reinvention, was the perfect toy for a fast emerging modern world.
Collecting Summer Fun
Catch a wave of nostalgia and ride it into the sun-drenched, long-gone world of carefree summers where Frankie chased Annette, the Beach Boys sang about "California Girls" and "Jaws" kept us out of the water.
Nixon's The One . . . who gave us Ted Hake
In a simple twist of political fate, Hake became a pop-culture collectibles auction house legend in part because Richard Nixon was elected president in 1968. Sure, Hake never got to meet Elvis, but he's done pretty well for himself.
