AmTiquing

Collecting Antique Lockets

leah posted this on April 6th, 2012

Lockets have been popular since Elizabethan times, when the Queen herself wore a locket ring with a portrait of her mother, Anne Boleyn. By the mid-18th century, mourning lockets were fashionable, usually containing a lock of hair from the deceased. The hair was oftentimes woven into tiny baskets, and might contain a pearl or other small token.

By the 19th century, lockets were most often associated with loved ones, both romantic and familial...

Antique Engagement Rings

ajmorris posted this on February 10th, 2012

Rings have been a popular token of esteem from ancient times. Royalty exchanged rings and other jewelry to memorialize events such as Royal Visits and Coronations. The aristocratic class followed suit and used rings to mark their lesser occasions, like birthdays and holidays. As societies became ever more democratic and egalitarian, the common classes did their best to imitate the wealthier models, and used rings to symbolize their bonds...

Louis XVI Rose Marble Fireplace Mantel

morris posted this on February 7th, 2012

This fine mantel made of Rose Marble, with matching hearthstone, is 3 feet and 6 inches high; 3 feet and 8.5 inches wide. The fireplace opening is 2 feet 11.5 inches by 2 feet 7.75 inches. Nicely fluted pilasters and carved floral frieze mark this as Louis XVI in style, though it probably dates from the 19th century. I suspect the frieze was carved all the way across, but looks half-done now due to glare when the photo was taken, exacerbated in the printing process...

50s Tonka Fire Truck

ajmorris posted this on February 2nd, 2012

Almost like-new w/ box 50s Tonka Fire Truck toy got $1,932 amtiquing.com/A95hp

Mexican Talavera Pottery

morris posted this on January 30th, 2012

According to Eberlein and McClure (The Practical Book of Early American Arts and Crafts, 1916), the Spanish introduced the production of Talavera style majolica pottery in the 1500s. The city of Puebla, founded in 1531, became the center of production, and the only producers of majolica in the western hemisphere for nearly three centuries...

Ogden UT Rail Station ca 1908

morris posted this on January 27th, 2012

This postcard of the Union Depot at Ogden Utah was published by Spargo's Book Store, in Ogden. It has a postmark, but the year did not print. The back has the uneven division typical of cards printed just after messages began to be allowed on the back in 1907. Most such cards date from 1907 to 1910 or a bit later. There is also a printers logo on the back, for EK Co.

This card is addressed to Miss Effie Knock, Willow, Calif...

Williamsbridge NY Railroad Station ca 1908

ajmorris posted this on January 26th, 2012

Postcard showing photo-lithograph of the Williamsbridge New York railroad station; postmarked 11 Aug 1908, 7 P.M. Addressed to Mrs A L Austin; 37 North Divison St, Peekskill, NY. Message: Heard from Art to-day, said Papa and he arrived OK. Uncle Lou met them at Brauchville. Just heard from Carrie Hadden, Tillie fell and bust her wrist. Was anxious to hear from you all. Susie.

Printed by The Rotograph Co., N.Y...

Twelve Section Automatic Dress Form 1912

ajmorris posted this on January 26th, 2012

• 1. Opens entire figure and controls the waist and hip measurements.
• 2. Controls the lengthening or shortening of the waist.
• 3. Controls the neck and bust measurements.
• 4. Controls the lengthening or shortening of skirt.
• 5. Enlarges dimensions of lower skirt.
• 6. Lock Wheel No. 2 controlling waist length.
• 7...

AmTwique from ajmorris

ajmorris posted this on January 24th, 2012

{opq6v} We can see that the high price on that stereoview was due to the subject and not the uncommon publisher because a week later a view of a park by the same publisher was sold by the same seller for $14.95.

Nicely Varied Stereoviews

morris posted this on January 23rd, 2012

Auction Results: ebay seller listed 200 nicely varied stereoviews, mostly US, beginning bids from $9.99 to $150, sold 57 for $2643.98 ($46.38 avg), ranging from $9.99 to $195. Got from 1 to 5 bids on those that sold, 84 total (1.47 avg).

Trade Cards

ajmorris posted this on January 22nd, 2012

Trade Cards were popular from the mid-1800s to the early 20th century, as a means to promote businesses. They usually had some advertising on the back, but the real interest point for most collectors are the colorful graphics that often grace the fronts of these cards. This example from an 1880s card for Metropolitan Life Insurance is a good example of the high-quality graphics often found on these cards...

Native American Photographs

ajmorris posted this on January 22nd, 2012

Original photographs of Native Americans are a highly collectible sub-category in the field of antique photographs. They were popular in the 19th century, so there are many examples available. Unfortunately, these are also one of the most frequently counterfeited types of photographs, some of the forged copies themselves dating back to the 19th century when illegal copies of celebrities and desirable topics (such as these Native American images) was big business...

Stereoview Of The Mormon Temple At Manti Ut

ajmorris posted this on January 21st, 2012

Auction Results Noted: on eBay, stereoview of the Mormon Temple at Manti UT ca 1891 by T. E. Hinshaw & C. L. Joy sold for $1,026 Jan 18, 2012.

Dated Images - an Untapped Resource

ajmorris posted this on January 18th, 2012

Old photographs only rarely have a date on them, but those that do are particularly useful. Here is an example. This photograph has a tax stamp on the back, which gives us an approximate date to begin with -- if the stamp is original, and not added later (as occasionally happens). By law, these tax stamps were required in the United States from August 1st 1864 to August 1st 1866. So just by its presence we narrow the date for the image to a two year period...

About A Tin Toy

ajmorris posted this on January 15th, 2012

THIS MESSAGE IS JUST A TEST: the {J3Oco} post by <ajmorris> is about a tin toy from Germany.

Fitger's Flat-top Beer Can

ajmorris posted this on January 14th, 2012

Auction Results Noted: on eBay, Fitger's Flat-Top Beer Can, off grade (solid and nice looking with minor rust or scratching). From Fitger Brewing Co of Duluth MN. Got 2 bids and sold for $14.50 plus $5 shipping.

Rectangular Clear Glass Bottle

ajmorris posted this on January 14th, 2012

Auction Results Noted: on eBay, rectangular clear glass bottle marked E E Long, Druggist, Suisun Cal. 6-1/8 inch tall. Seller says 1890s, 6 ounce handblown bottle. Got 3 bids and sold for $21.53 plus $4.95 shipping.

AmTwique from ajmorris

ajmorris posted this on January 14th, 2012

Auction Results Noted: on eBay, Megalodon Shark Tooth fossil, 3-9/16 inches long, from SC. Had 7 bids and sold for $26.55 plus $7 shipping.

Brass cannon toy

ajmorris posted this on January 14th, 2012

Auction Results Noted: on eBay: Brass cannon toy on cast iron mount, 3 inches long, side panel marked: Fort Frederica National Monument. Mount marked 1/0 over 18 over MFCO. Got 6 bids and sold for $18.50 plus $4.99 shipping.

German wind-up tin car toy

ajmorris posted this on January 14th, 2012

Auction Results Noted: on eBay, 1920s German wind-up tin car toy marked 'ALSO' and 'Lehmann', with 1903 and 1923 patents noted, some wear but working condition got 30 bids and sold for $351 plus $10 shipping. Looks like 1903 style auto, open front.

St. Patrick's Day Post Card by Clapsaddle 1909 - Sold!

ajmorris posted this on January 14th, 2012
Asking Price: US $2.50

Disclaimer: This is not really something I offered for sale, but is a real item that sold online at auction for the price noted. I copied the image (public domain) and wrote my own description, to test-out the AmSelling feature on this site.

This is an embossed card featuring a drawing of a little boy standing on a chair, with a shillelagh at his side...