Fresh Type

The Pinnacle of Pens: Author Barry Gabay on Writing in Style and the Montblanc 149

As a writer and editor at “Pen World” magazine for more than 10 years, Barry Gabay has tested and reviewed countless collectible writing instruments. In this interview, he offers an in-depth look at Montblanc, which is the cornerstone of his personal collection of more than 1,000 mostly prewar American pens and postwar Montblanc fountain pens. Gabay details the history of the company, explains its numbering system, and describes the technology inside these pens. Gabay can … (continue reading)

Purse Perfection: Judith Leiber on Faberge, Rhinestones, and Her Favorite First Ladies

In this exclusive interview, Judith Leiber—handbag designer to red carpet celebs, opera stars, and First Ladies—looks back on her rich and storied career. Leiber’s vintage evening bags can easily fetch thousands of dollars, and one of the most avid collectors of those iconic originals is Leiber herself, who continues to acquire pieces for the East Hampton, New York, museum she and her husband, Gerson, founded in 2005. To date, Leiber has collected roughly 900 of … (continue reading)

Katsina or Kachina? Barry Walsh on the Spiritual Roots of Native American Dolls

Dolls are a rite of passage for little girls, many of whom project their personalities and aspirations onto their first Malibu Barbies or American Girls. In the Hopi culture, dolls are also given to girls as they grow up, but instead of serving an emotional purpose, the katsina dolls the girls receive are thought to represent spirits that will teach and guide the child into adulthood. In this interview, author Barry Walsh explains the history … (continue reading)

Homespun Beauty: Jim Linderman on Folk Art’s Authentic Appeal

For collector, blogger, and author Jim Linderman, beauty is all about the imperfections, which is why he’s so attracted to folk art. In this wide-ranging interview, Linderman talks about his favorite folk-art pieces he’s collected over the years, explains why he just can’t stand the phrase “outsider art,” and reveals what drew him to vintage photographs of circus freaks and glamour girls. Linderman can be reached via Dull Tool Dim Bulb.

My interest in 20th-century … (continue reading)

How To Build a Killer Baseball Collection: Scouting the Minors With Dave Bloomer

There are many ways to amass an amazing baseball-memorabilia collection. One is to max out your credit card. Another is to attend countless Minor League games, where you can get up-and-coming players to autograph everything from photographs to game-used jerseys. That’s what Dave Bloomer did—counting the time he spent collecting baseball cards as a kid, he’s been at it for 40 years. In this interview, Bloomer, who is the Chief of Police in Hastings-on-Hudson, … (continue reading)

Secrets of the Blue Note Vault: Michael Cuscuna on Monk, Blakey, and Hancock

What if you were given the keys to Blue Note Records’ legendary tape vault? In 1975, that’s exactly what happened to three-time Grammy Award winner Michael Cuscuna. There, the record producer and co-founder of Mosaic Records discovered hundreds of hours of unreleased—and undocumented—sessions, which he diligently pieced together before releasing. This sleuth work made him an expert on Blue Note, from label founder Alfred Lion’s obsession with jazz in the 1920s to Blue Note’s … (continue reading)

Your Turntable Is Not Dead: Inside Jack White’s Vinyl Record Empire

Vinyl isn’t just for collectors; it’s a way for digital music lovers to reconnect with their analog roots. In this interview, Ben Blackwell, the head of vinyl production at Jack White’s Third Man Records, explains how a record is made—from vinyl pellets to the final product—and explores the medium’s perennial allure. He also talks about the history of Third Man, its store in Nashville, and fun oddities like multicolored vinyl. You can find out more about Third Man … (continue reading)

The Best Cowboy Boots in Texas: Window Shopping with Author Jennifer June

Jennifer June doesn’t just collect boots—she collects the stories behind the boots and makes regular pilgrimages to meet their makers. In this interview, June explains the history of the cowboy boot and how Hollywood changed its appearance. She also gives us a rare look behind the scenes as she visits the shops of such important boot makers as Tex Robin and Alan Bell. June’s book “Cowboy Boots: The Art & … (continue reading)

Boston vs New York: Appraiser Leila Dunbar Talks Sports Memorabilia and Rivalries

As an appraiser, Leila Dunbar knows Yankees memorabilia is king, but as a sports fan who grew up outside of Boston, her heart remains with teams like the Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins. In this interview, the former auctioneer for Sotheby’s discusses some of her favorite sports items, from the bat Babe Ruth used to hit his first homer in Yankee Stadium to the Boston Garden’s famous parquet floor. She also explains the methodology she uses to appraise … (continue reading)

Fightin’ Femmes: Unmasking Female Superheroes with Author Mike Madrid

Are female superheroes stronger than their male counterparts? According to Mike Madrid, author of “The Supergirls: Fashion, Feminism, Fantasy and the History of the Comic Book Heroines,” they’re mentally tougher and less vengeful, but still know how to whack the bad guys. In this interview, he discusses rare ’40s superheroine titles like “Phantom Lady” and “Lady Luck,” as well as the drastic changes to Wonder Woman’s appearance and story since her debut in … (continue reading)

Stephen M. H. Braitman on the British Invasion, from the Beatles to the Sex Pistols

Stephen M. H. Braitman has had a lifelong love affair with music, and has more than 20,000 vinyl records to prove it. In this interview, he discusses the British Invasion from a collector’s perspective, and explores the evolution of the technology behind the tunes—from 78s to 45s to LPs, from mono to stereo to quadrophonic. Braitman, who is both a music appraiser and collector, can be reached via his website, MusicAppraisals.com.

I was a … (continue reading)

Linda Arthur on the Roots of the Aloha Shirt

In this interview, author and scholar Dr. Linda Arthur talks about the evolution and history of the aloha shirt. She discusses such important designers as Alfred Shaheen and explains when and how the shirt became a fad on the U.S. mainland. Arthur’s numerous books include “The Art of the Aloha Shirt” and “Aloha Attire: Hawaiian Dress in the Twentieth Century.” Arthur can be reached via Washington State University, where she is a … (continue reading)