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Alan Basinet talks about collecting antique marbles, noting various design styles, manufacturers, production methods, and the regions they came from. He can be contacted via his website, marblealan.com. Read more »
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 P… Read more »
Eddy Scheepers talks about the history of Loetz art glass, how iridescent art glass became popular in the 1880s, and the various designs Loetz produced up through 1940. Based in Belgium, Eddy can be contacted via his website, Loetz.com, whi… 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 »
Glen and Steve Thistlewood share their lifelong research on Carnival Glass, its manufacturers, social history, and varying shapes, patterns, and colors. Based in England, Glen and Steve have recently completed a new book, Carnival Glass: Th… Read more »
In this interview, Stuart Lonsdale talks about Gouda pottery, focusing especially on the designs and the artists’ markings. Based in England, Stuart can be contacted via his website, Gouda Design, which is a member of our Hall of Fame. Read more »
Vincent Fausone, Jr. discusses Chinese snuff bottles, especially focusing on their history and production. Based in San Francisco, California he is a member of the Bay Area Snuff Bottle Collectors and the International Chinese Snuff Bottle … Read more »
In this interview, Richard More talks about collecting art glass paperweights, including the history of the Ysart family, other popular Scottish paperweight producers, and the different paperweight designs available. Located in Kansas, Rich… Read more »
Howard Coutts discusses collectible china, dinnerware, and art pottery, focusing on ceramics as a work of art, the major manufacturers, and the materials used to make various types of pottery. The Bowes Museum’s Ceramic Collection web sit… Read more »
Barbara Meek talks about the history of cut glass, the patterns, and the major turn-of-the-century manufacturers. Barbara is the president of the Florida (Sunburst) chapter of the American Cut Glass Association, which is a member of our Hal… Read more »
Reyne Haines talks about the history of art glass, and about collecting art glass from designers such as Tiffany, Loetz, and others. Based in Cincinnati and New York City, Haines is a 20th-century decorative arts appraiser, collector, and d… Read more »
In this interview, Riley Humler talks about collecting Rookwood art pottery, and discusses the history of Rookwood and its artists and products. Based in Cincinnati, Humler is Gallery Director of Cincinnati Art Galleries, which holds two Ro… Read more »
Bill Lindsey discusses antique bottles, including mouth blown bottles, bitters, figurals, inks, medicines, flasks, and many other varieties. He also explains the history and methods of early bottle production, and how diggers find bottles. … 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 »
In this interview, Elaine Henderson discusses the history and varieties of Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG), and gives advice to new collectors. Elaine's Pattern Glass School is a member of our Hall of Fame. Read more »
In this article, collector Bruce Wayne Schank talks about collecting antique Ball jars (fruit jars), and the history of the Ball jar. Based in Pompton Plains, NJ, Bruce can be reached via his website, Balljars.net. Read more »
This article talks about paperweights that were created using pinchbeck, or fake gold, noting their production processes and the materials used, and describing some specific examples. It originally appeared in the November 1945 issue of Ame… Read more »
This article discusses how the author became interested in china, describing auction procedures, the images represented on china items, and specific items in the author’s collection. It originally appeared in the August 1947 issue of Amer… Read more »
This article describes the 19th-century glass slippers and boots pictured, noting which are the rarest and most desirable for collectors. It originally appeared in the June 1942 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran … Read more »
This article describes the evolution of cosmetic cases for women – especially perfume bottles – in use from 3000 B.C. until the 18th century, noting their designs and materials. It originally appeared in the December 1942 issue of Ameri… Read more »
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 1… Read more »
This article focuses on the history of American porcelain, noting the various materials used and some of the most recognized potteries. It originally appeared in the April 1947 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran f… Read more »
This article notes the inspiration behind Wedgwood designs, especially their Greek and Roman influences, and uses the items illustrated as examples. It originally appeared in the March 1947 issue of American Collector magazine, a publicatio… Read more »
This article notes the uses for antique pottery crocks and jars (both historically and at the time the article was published) and important potters who created them, and it describes the difference between stoneware and redware. It original… Read more »
This article discusses the beauty and the magic of marbles, noting their popularity, their uses, the materials they are made from, and where collectors can find them. It originally appeared in the July 1942 issue of American Collector magaz… Read more »
This article focuses on the history of pottery made in Somerset, Massachusetts (also known as Pottersville) in the 19th century, noting the items produced and important craftsmen. It originally appeared in the February 1946 issue of America… Read more »
This article describes American flasks depicting war heroes and presidents, noting the importance of each image. It originally appeared in the October 1942 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and ser… Read more »
This article notes the production and design process of Chinese Lowestoft and its import into to Europe and America prior to and during the 18th century. It originally appeared in the October 1942 issue of American Collector magazine, a pub… Read more »
This article describes the patterns and characteristics of lacy glass goblets, also addressing the misconception that they are all French. It originally appeared in the May 1938 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran … Read more »
This article discusses the history of marbles, including their introduction in England and the United States, and notes their popularity in a variety of games and the materials they were made from. It originally appeared in the July 1943 is… Read more »
This article describes Rookwood’s origins, also noting the company’s firing process and characteristic designs. It originally appeared in the July 1943 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and ser… Read more »
This article focuses on the history of glassware, especially pressed and flint glass, noting the first major manufacturers that produced the glass and where they were located. It originally appeared in the July 1944 issue of American Collec… Read more »
This article details the history of 18th-century English porcelain manufacturers, such as Chelsea, Bow, and Derby, and notes some of the most popular items produced. It originally appeared in the November 1941 issue of American Collector ma… Read more »
This article discusses the development of porcelain, from materials to designs to markings. It originally appeared in the June 1941 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collector… Read more »
This article, written by the then-Associate Curator of the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, notes the Egyptian influence on ancient glass (especially in Rome), the origins of blown and pressed glass, and the similarities bet… Read more »
This article discusses the difference between rare and common paperweights, noting ways that one can tell if a paperweight is a genuine antique or an imitation. It originally appeared in the July 1943 issue of American Collector magazine, a… Read more »
This article notes the process, patterns, and characteristics of blown glass and describes popular miniature blown objects, such as mini decanters and tumblers. It originally appeared in the August 1942 issue of American Collector magazine,… Read more »
This article describes items that were to be sold at an auction shortly after its original publication, noting which items are rare and where they were found. It originally appeared in the April 1941 issue of American Collector magazine, a … Read more »
This article on Ohio and Midwestern glasshouses in the early 19th century focuses on techniques, designs, patterns, and types of wares made, as well as including a list of glasshouse towns and glassmakers. It originally appeared in the Nove… Read more »
This article discusses the popular china made in Staffordshire, England in the 18th and 19th centuries and includes information about the designs and American historical themes that were popular. It originally appeared in the August 1941 is… Read more »
This article discusses the history of porcelain known as Oriental Lowestoft, detailing its notable characteristics, available colors and designs, and the differentiation between periods. It originally appeared in the August 1938 issue of Am… Read more »
This article notes some of the rarities found in china items, which are highly sought-after by the avid collector. It originally appeared in the December 1941 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and … Read more »
This article describes the designs and different variations of paperweights created by Nicholas Lutz at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company. It originally appeared in the August 1941 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication whi… Read more »
This article notes the various designs and manufacturers of salt dishes, noting the slight differences between similar-looking items created by competing companies. It originally appeared in the June 1939 issue of American Collector magazin… Read more »
This article, written by the Brooklyn Museum’s then-Curator of Decorative Arts, discusses the global influence on American ceramics in the 19th century, using the china found at the Sunnyside house (Washington Irving's home) as an example… Read more »
This article on the Sandwich Glass Company’s glass candlesticks, made in the mid- to late 19th century, focuses on the production processes, the designs’ inspiration (Venetian glassblowers), and the various colors and styles that were m… Read more »
In this article, the author notes what she perceives as a decline in the standard of glass collecting at the time of publishing and addresses fads, the definition of “antique,” and reproductions. It originally appeared in the March 1941… Read more »
This article on ceramic portraiture in the 17th and 18th centuries focuses on notable potters and artists, the various figures that were produced (from homely figurines such as courting couples to important people, such as Queen Anne and Si… Read more »
This article on slipware (pottery with pinpricked designs) made in Pennsylvania focuses on the processes and methods used to create slipware, as well as the history of the pottery and some of the most notable designers and manufacturers. It… Read more »
This article discusses colorful blown glass produced predominantly at the New England Glass Company and the Mount Washington Glass Company (although also attempted by various other glass manufacturers) in the 19th century. It notes some of … Read more »
This article focuses on the history of the Sandwich Glass Company, established in 1825, and describes the wide variety of patterns that the company produced and their movement from clear flint glass to the production of as many colors as po… Read more »
This article talks about the process and the benefits of one-of-a-kind collecting – collecting individual items that work together rather than looking for a full set in the same pattern. It originally appeared in the May 1940 issue of Read more »
This article describes a sampling of Liverpool and Staffordshire china pieces with Masonic imagery, such as the coat-of-arms, pictorial representations, and verses from Masonic mottos and rhymes. It originally appeared in the March 1940 iss… Read more »
This article describes the spread of powder flasks from England to America in the 1800s and notes some of the major manufacturers, the varying sizes, designs, and materials, and the best way to care for your antique powder flasks. It origi… Read more »
This article describes the evolution of the style and patterns of cut glass knobs, which came into use for drawer knobs in the 18th century, and notes some specific designs by Sandwich. It originally appeared in the May 1939 issue of Americ… Read more »
This article details the process of glass enameling and describes a particular punch bowl set (pictured). It originally appeared in the September 1939 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served a… Read more »
This photo essay shows the steps glass blowers took to create intricate hand-blown glass items ('from bubble to goblet'). It originally appeared in the February 1938 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-19… Read more »
This article focuses on skilled glassblowers who created flasks in small and local glass houses in the Mid-West in the 1800s and discusses some of the rarest and most desirable flasks at the time of publishing. It originally appeared in t… Read more »
This article discusses the beginning of the railroad in the United States, especially the development of the Baltimore and Ohio, and notes the common misconception that the Staffordshire plates with railroad designs were of the Baltimore an… 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 appea… Read more »
The following piece describes the most desirable pieces of Lacy Sandwich glass at the time it was published, such as oblong dishes, sugar bowls, and trays, and focuses on the design, patterns, and rarity of each. It Read more »
The following article focuses on Millville paperweight-making in the 20th century, especially the owner's struggles with the rose design. It also details other popular designs that Millville artists created, such as fire-devil and lily, a… Read more »
The following piece details the establishment of the Worcester china manufacturers in 1751 by a small group of men hoping to bring economic stability to their town of Worcester, as well as the pottery’s evolution during its early years, … Read more »
