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Gary Sullivan is a clock and furniture dealer, as well as an appraiser for "Antiques Roadshow." In this scholarly interview, Sullivan explains the differences between early American tall-case, banjo, and dwarf clocks and offers tips on what… Read more »
Jonathan Snellenburg is the Director of Watches and Clocks for Bonhams New York. Snellenburg holds a PhD in geochemistry, did post-doctoral work in extraterrestrial geology at the American Museum of Natural History, and graded diamonds as a… Read more »
Dave Weisbart talks about 19th-century clocks, discussing notable manufacturers and designs and sharing his experience with clock repairs. Dave is the owner of Prestige Clock Repair in Huntington Beach, CA and shares his clock collection on… Read more »
Heidi Kellner discusses the history, colors and styles of vintage Fiesta dinnerware and other Homer Laughlin Company lines such as Harlequin and Riviera. Heidi can be contacted via her website, Art of the Table: Fiesta Pottery, which is a m… Read more »
In this interview, Richard Rose discusses collecting vintage Ericofon telephones of the 1960s, and trends in telephone collecting in general. Based in Minnesota, Richard can be reached via his website, Ericofon.com, which is a member of our… Read more »
In this interview, Steve Cabella talks about collecting the work of designers Charles and Ray Eames, and about the mid century modern movement. Steve lives in an authentically restored early mid-century house, and can be reached via his web… Read more »
Chuck LaChiusa discusses the furniture and architecture of Buffalo, NY, especially late 19th and early 20th Century styles like Arts and Crafts, Colonial Revival, Eastlake Victorian, Beaux Arts, and early modern. Based in Buffalo, Chuck can… Read more »
In this article John Stanley talks about collecting antique beer and soda bottle openers, including figurals and other varieties. Based in Durham, North Carolina, John can be reached through his website, Just For Openers, which is a member … Read more »
Mark Stevens discusses the history and varieties of collectible 1950s TV (television) lamps. Based in Fort Worth, Mark can be reached via his website, Texans Incorporated, which is a member of our Hall of Fame. Read more »
In this interview, Dan Edminster discusses antique oil lamps and glass lampshades (and their manufacturers), and gives advice to novice collectors. Based in Hurleyville, New York, Dan and can be reached through his site, The Lampworks, whic… Read more »
In this interview, Paul Somerson discusses Arts and Crafts silver items and jewelry, including the history of the Kalo shop and other famous artisans. Paul can be reached via his website, Chicago Silver, which is a member of our Hall of Fam… Read more »
In this interview Bill Stoddard talks about collecting antique Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben alarm clocks, and discusses clock collecting in general. Based in Flora, Indiana, Bill can be reached via his website, clockhistory.com, which is a… Read more »
John Werry discusses collecting Victorian-era antique furniture, and gives advice to new collectors. Based in the suburbs of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, John can be reached via his blog, Rare Victorian, which is a member of our Hall of Fame… Read more »
In this interview, Gary Goff talks about collecting antiques telephones, including wood, candlestick, and rotary desk models from Western Electric and other makers. Based in Orange County, California, Gary can be reached via his website. Read more »
Graham Hodges' site, silversugartongs.com is a member of The Collectors Weekly Hall of Fame Read more »
This article discusses household silver in the first half of the 18th century, noting its foreign influences in style (especially French) and silversmith Paul Lamerie, of whom the most information has been preserved over time. It originally… Read more »
This article discusses popular clockmakers in New York in the 19th century, describing their craft and the types of clocks they made. It originally appeared in the May 1938 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from … Read more »
This article focuses on small silver items that were popular in the 18th century, from strainers to tobacco boxes to jewelry, describing the uses for each, and it notes how often silver items were stolen or lost. It originally appeared as a… Read more »
This article describes Windsor chairs, noting their evolution, their different styles, their popularity in America (from shops that made them to farmers who created homemade versions), and some prominent chairmakers. It originally appeared … Read more »
This article discusses the evolution of American chests of drawers, particularly their origins and the design styles, from Victorian to Greek Revival. It originally appeared in the April 1945 issue of American Collector magazine, a publicat… Read more »
This article on Bible boxes discusses their use as a writing surface and case for writing materials and describes their gradual evolution into a desk. It originally appeared in the November 1942 issue of American Collector magazine, a publi… Read more »
This article describes chairs made in England and America in the 18th century, noting their influences and how they compare to drawings in various craftsmen’s guides that were popular at the time. It originally appeared in the February 1947… Read more »
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… Read more »
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 … Read more »
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… Read more »
This article discusses the evolution of design of porringer handles made in New York during the 18th century, also addressing their Dutch influence and notable silversmiths who made porringers. It originally appeared in the April 1947 issue… Read more »
This article focuses on the lives, craft, and relationships of the Courtaulds, a family of Huguenot silversmiths that lived and worked in England in the 18th century. It originally appeared in the March 1947 issue of American Collector maga… Read more »
This article focuses on the history of the oil lamp, describing multiple examples. It originally appeared in the June 1942 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealer… Read more »
This article discusses the styles and influences of Victorian furniture, as well as acknowledging the notable cabinetmakers of the period and the materials that were used. It originally appeared in the March 1943 issue of American Collector… Read more »
This article discusses female goldsmiths that worked in England during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, noting how they learned, their makers' marks, and their family relationships. It originally appeared in the May 1938 issue of American… Read more »
This article notes the popularity of cast-iron in the 19th century, describing the wide variety of items that were made of the material. It originally appeared in the July 1944 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran f… Read more »
This article describes silversmith Peter Quintard’s life and business, also noting his family’s immigration history and including the text of his will. It originally appeared in the December 1941 issue of American Collector magazine, a publ… Read more »
This article details the furniture items used by George Washington, from the elaborate furnishings chosen for him by Lady Kitty Duer and Mrs. Osgood to the desk he chose himself. It originally appeared in the February 1941 issue of American… Read more »
This article on William Gilbert, Jr. notes the New York silversmith’s family life, craft, and influence, as well as his extensive military, political, and community involvement in the 18th century. It originally appeared in the July 1941 is… Read more »
This article details the history of the life and work of silversmith William Cario and his son of the same name. Little information about the two men had been previously known in the years before this article was published. It originally ap… Read more »
This article describes various silver items owned by families in Virginia prior to 1800, such as snuff boxes, watches, and plate. It originally appeared in the April 1941 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 19… Read more »
This article describes an exhibition on Paul Revere at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston that was being showcased at the time the article was published. It notes the items on display, from Revere’s church silver to domestic items, and expl… Read more »
This article, originally published in two parts, discusses the history of notable yet under-recognized cabinetmakers from Salem, also noting the economic history and community of craftsmen in the city. Part Two focuses on Elijah and Jacob S… Read more »
This article focuses on corner (or roundabout) chairs, a comfortable chair first popular in England in the 18th century. It notes that no two corner chairs look alike and lists the top reasons why they are desirable. It originally appeared … Read more »
This article focuses on the history of the sideboard table, noting its functions, varying designs, notable craftsmen, and the man who developed the first sideboard table, Thomas Shearer. It originally appeared in the July 1941 issue of Amer… Read more »
This article describes sterling silver items (such as punch bowls and tankards) popular in New York in the late 18th and 19th centuries, noting their strong Dutch influences and the evolution of the design styles. It originally appeared in … Read more »
This article discusses the social significance of the silver spoon throughout history and the different types of silver spoons made from the 12th through the 19th centuries. It originally appeared in the July 1941 issue of American Collecto… Read more »
This article describes the history of the oil lamp, noting its evolution from Betty lamps to the Argand burner to a lamp with an oil reservoir in the base. It originally appeared in the September 1941 issue of American Collector magazine, a… Read more »
This article focuses on the French and later British influences on Canadian silver in the 18th and 19th centuries, noting important silversmiths and the spread of silver production from Quebec to Montreal. It originally appeared in the Febr… Read more »
This article notes the four major families that produced silver in 18th-century Boston (The Edwards, Reveres, Hurds, and Burts), focusing primarily on the lives and crafts of John and Benjamin Burt. It originally appeared in the August 1940… Read more »
This article focuses on silversmith Samuel Drowne and his involvement in the American Revolution and U.S. politics. It also provides information on the other silversmiths in his family. It originally appeared in the September 1940 issue of … Read more »
This article describes the skill involved in the craft of miniature clockmaking, as well as the different types of miniature clocks (grandfather, grandmother, and grandchild), how each is made, and some of the notable manufacturers. It orig… Read more »
This article notes the various woods cabinetmakers have used, such as oak, mahogany, maple, and cherry, and argues that birch is comparable in quality and should be equally as desirable. It notes the limited locations in which birch was use… Read more »
This article discusses hidden compartments found in antique furniture pieces, especially desks and secretaries, and describes some examples with multiple secret compartments. It originally appeared in the November 1939 issue of American Col… Read more »
This article focuses on 19th-century night lights known as fairy lamps, which were the first lamps that were safe to leave on without supervision. It describes advertisements for the lamps, as well as their multiple uses (from discouraging … Read more »
This article details the silver plate that belonged to Captain Tobias Lear, the father of George Washington’s secretary (and close friend) Colonel Tobias Lear. It describes the various pieces in the set and identifies the manufacturers usin… Read more »
This article addresses the popularity of Queen Anne furniture in America in the first half of the 18th century, noting the major differences in design between the American and English styles. It originally appeared in the October 1939 issue… Read more »
This article discusses slat-back chairs throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries – specifically the countries they were made in, the varying styles, and their evolution from a crudely-made country chair to an elaborately designed piece… Read more »
This article on the clockmaker Simon Willard describes the characteristics associated with Willard’s craftsmanship, detailing some of his specific clocks to illustrate. It also notes the French influence on American clockmaking. It original… Read more »
This article, written by the curator of the James Arthur Collection of Clocks and Watches at New York University, discusses clockmaking in the 18th and 19th centuries, noting the rise and fall of the independent clockmaker, the movement awa… Read more »
This article notes the various styles of and uses for sideboard tables in the 18th century. It originally appeared in the October 1938 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collector… Read more »
This article on Georgian silver, which was produced in the 18th and early-19th centuries, discusses the various design periods (such as Early Georgian, Rococo, and Adam), the various uses for silver items (from royal and religious purposes … Read more »
This article on the cabinetmakers of Chester County, Pa., during the 18th and 19th centuries discusses the evolution of the trade, notable cabinet makers, and popular furniture requests of the era. It originally appeared in the April 1939 … Read more »
This article focuses on the history, design, and functions of soup tureens. With usages ranging from a soup container at dinner parties to a practical vase, soup tureens were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. It originally appeared in… Read more »
This is an article about the Huguenot silversmiths – French refugees who traveled to America in the 17th and 18th centuries – and their ability to create works in the popular styles of the times. It originally appeared in the July 1939 issu… Read more »
This article describes how early American silversmiths made sterling silver spoons, from melting metal to casting to rolling, annealing, hammering, and honing. It originally appeared in the January 1939 issue of American Collector magazine… Read more »
The following piece focuses on clockmakers in the U.S. and Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, specifically the marks and materials they used and the regulations that were placed on them. It originally appeared in the December 1940 issue… Read more »
