Articles & Interviews
Showing 25 articles & interviews for "watches"Keeping Time with Waltham, Hamilton, and Illinois Pocket Watches
In this interview Barry S. Goldberg gives advice on collecting antique American made pocket watches. Barry is based in Melrose, Massachusetts, and his site is a member of our Hall of Fame. Read more »
Elgins, Patek Philippes, and Other Timeless Wristwatches
Jeff Hess talks about the history, mechanics, and evolution of wristwatches, discussing some of the major manufacturers and designers. Jeff is an online moderator on the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors' message board, and… Read more »
Jonathan Snellenburg Ticks off the History of Watches and Clocks
Jonathan Snellenburg is the Director of Watches and Clocks for Bonhams New York. Snellenburg holds a Ph.D. in geochemistry, did post-doctoral work in extraterrestrial geology at the American Museum of Natural History, and graded diamonds as… Read more »
Early Ladies Wristwatches: When Beauty Came Before Function
Nationally recognized appraiser Reyne Haines is known as a specialist in Art Nouveau glass and Tiffany, but she has also just written “Vintage Wristwatches,” a book that focuses on one of her many other passions. In this interview Haines ex… Read more »
The Timeless Appeal of the Westclock Big and Baby Bens
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 »
Calculating the Quality of Vintage Slide Rules
In this interview Mike Konshak talks about collecting vintage slide rules, and their history and uses. Based in Louisville, Colorado, Mike can be reached via his website, Slide Rule Museum, which is a member of our Hall of Fame. Read more »
Vintage Sheaffer, Parker, Wahl, and Waterman Fountain Pens
Jim Mamoulides talks about collecting vintage fountain pens, and the various models and styles produced by manufacturers including Sheaffer, Parker, Montblanc, Waterman, and others over the years. Jim can be reached via his website, PenHero… Read more »
Washington Memorial Jewelry
This article is about popular jewelry made in the late-18th and 19th centuries to commemorate George Washington, such as rings, lockets, and brooches – some of which even included pieces of his hair. It originally appeared in the February 1… Read more »
Geographic Distribution of Early Clockmaking in America
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 »
Colonial Americans and Their Jewelry
This article discusses the various types of fine jewelry that was popular among 18th-century Americans, using advertisements written by jewelers and notices written by Americans who had lost precious pieces as examples. It was originally pu… Read more »
Virginia Families and Their Silver
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 »
The Sandersons and Salem Furniture
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 »
A Short History of the American Antique Pocket Watch
Tom McIntyre talks about antique pocket watches, discussing key manufacturers, the mechanics behind the watches, the varying types, and the collecting hobby in general. Read more »
The Four Georges: Notes on English Domestic Silver
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 »
Pinchbeck But Precious (Paperweights)
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 »
William Faris (1728-1804): Annapolis Silversmith
This article discusses William Faris’ life, his family relationships, and his clocks and silver work, describing some silver spoons that have his mark. It originally appeared in the February 1948 issue of American Collector magazine, a publ… Read more »
Hausmaler Decoration on Fayence and Porcelain
This article discusses hausmaler, individual German painters who worked on fayence or porcelain, noting some specific artists and their designs. It originally appeared in the November 1945 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication… Read more »
The Care and Repair of 19th-Century American Clocks
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 »
Carole Tanenbaum on Costume Jewelry's 'Wow' Factor
Carole Tanenbaum talks about vintage costume jewelry, discussing the major designers (such as Coco Chanel, Schiaparelli, Trifari, and Schreiner), popular fashion trends, and the origins of costume jewelry. She can be contacted at her websit… Read more »
An Inside Look at Antiques Roadshow: A Collectors Weekly Special Report
Ever wonder how Antiques Roadshow really works? How they pick who gets on TV? Whether the people on the show have fun? Whether the appraisers really know what they’re talking about? Read more »
'Mad Men' Prop Master Scott Buckwald Explains How He Re-Creates the '60s
Scott Buckwald has been the prop master on a variety of popular movies and television programs, including Race to Witch Mountain and The Prestige. Recently, Buckwald spoke with us about his experiences as a prop master for AMC’s hit show Ma… Read more »
Authentic Vintage Props, the Silent Stars of 'Titanic' and Martin Scorsese's 'The Aviator'
Jim Elyea co-runs History for Hire, a prop house in Hollywood, California, and has provided props for a variety of movies, television shows, and music videos. Recently, Jim spoke with us about the different types of props and the different … Read more »
'Antiques Roadshow' Producer Shares What Goes On Behind the Scenes
Marsha Bemko has been with PBS's “Antiques Roadshow” for more than 10 years, the last six or so as its executive producer (see our separate Roadshow coverage). Though not a collector herself, her close work with some of the most knowledgeab… Read more »
Don Levison on Cartier Tanks, Rolex Oysters, and Hamilton Venturas
In this interview, Don Levison explains how wristwatches evolved from pocket watches and ladies’ bracelet watches, weighs in on the advantages of collecting vintage Hamiltons, and shares his unabashed enthusiasm for Patek Philippe, Cartier,… Read more »
Hayden Peters Talks About Skulls, Hairwork, and the Fashion of Mourning
In this interview, historian and art director Hayden Peters charts the evolution of mourning jewelry from the 16th century through its most prolific period during the reign of Queen Victoria. Along the way, he discusses how mourning jewelry… Read more »