By Alice E. Ford

This article discusses the history of advertising, especially focusing on trade cards and broadsides. It notes the products that were advertised and the images used, and describes some of the well-known lithographers. It originally appeared in the June 1942 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

American advertising has always told a rousing story. What people …

By James Brush Hatcher

This article discusses the historical significance of patriotic envelopes during the Civil War, describing the various pictures and slogans used and the messages represented from both sides. It originally appeared in the May 1943 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

The spontaneous upsurge of Blue and Gray patriotism generated by the Civil War is amazingly well …

By Dr. W. Conway Price and Dr. Ralph B. Little

This article describes portable writing desks, from their materials to their design, and notes their history and their uses. It originally appeared in the May 1943 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

During the latter half of the 17th Century and the whole of the 18th, a period often referred …

By Edward Wenham

This article discusses the history and traditions surrounding English standing cups and describes the style and design of the drinking vessels. It originally appeared in the February 1947 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

With whom you share a cup, with him share your friendship — that is in brief the tradition of the standing-cup.

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By Richmond Huntley

This article describes cupboards crafted in the 18th and 19th centuries that are appropriate for shelving and showcasing dishes, glass, and other collectibles. It originally appeared in the December 1945 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

Fine silver, porcelain, glass, and similar household accessories lend themselves to display as well as use, and the householder of today …

By Maribeth Keane, Collectors Weekly Staff (Copyright 2009)

Sam Sarowitz talks about vintage movie posters, specifically their designs, how people collect them, and the most popular genres. Based in New York, Sam can be contacted via his website, Posteritati.

Our first book was called “The Independent Movie Poster Book” and that was published by Harry Abrams. The focus was all independent movies post-1980. We picked that as a cutoff because …

By Maribeth Keane, Collectors Weekly Staff (Copyright 2009)

Urban Cummings talks about collecting vintage cigarette lighters, noting the history and evolution of lighters, the various types and manufacturers, and trends in the hobby in general. Urban has written two books on Ronson lighters.

At the very beginning, my interest in lighters was about the mechanism. I had my first lighter when I was 14. I saved up my nickels and dimes. …

By Maribeth Keane, Collectors Weekly Staff (Copyright 2009)

Clifford Wallach talks about tramp art, noting its origins and social history, and addressing some historical misconceptions. Clifford has published two books on tramp art – Tramp Art, One Notch at a Time and his newest, Tramp Art, Another Notch: Folk Art From the Heart, available from Schiffer Publishing. He can be contacted via his website, Folk Art in the …

By Maribeth Keane, Collectors Weekly Staff (Copyright 2009)

Bob Allen talks about U.S. stamp collecting, providing information on topics such as the history of United States stamps, their design and production processes, regular issues and commemoratives, and special features such as perforations, watermarks and secret marks. Based in Hawaii, he can be contacted via his website, 1847usa.com, which is a member of our Hall of Fame.

Like many collectors, …

By Maribeth Keane, Collectors Weekly Staff (Copyright 2009)

Carol Jacobs talks about Cowan art pottery, specifically who R. Guy Cowan was, the history of his company, and the different shapes, designs, and glazes that he produced. Carol is the curator of the Cowan Pottery Museum at the Rocky River Public Library in Rocky River, Ohio. She can be reached via the museum’s website.

I’m the curator here at the museum …

By Maribeth Keane, Collectors Weekly Staff (Copyright 2009)

Tom McIntyre talks about antique pocket watches, discussing key manufacturers, the mechanics behind the watches, the varying types, and the collecting hobby in general. Based in Massachusetts, Tom can be reached via his website, American Watch Company Web, which is a member of our Hall of Fame.

I got interested in clocks in 1967, and I started collecting watches fairly …

By Thomas Hamilton Ormsbee

This article describes the export of goods from China to Mexico, noting Mexico’s origins as a stop on the trade route to Spain. It originally appeared in the February 1942 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

When one sees a piece of Oriental Lowestoft or a China trade item, the clock turns back a century …