English Royalty in Glass

This article describes royal commemorative glass, which became popular to celebrate the return and marriage of Charles II in the 17th century and continued through the 18th century depicting other important historical figures. It originally appeared in the September 1943 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antiques collectors and dealers.

“All the discourse now-a-day,” wrote Samuel Pepys in the spring of 1660, “is that the King will come again; and for … (continue reading)

Antique Furniture with Double Uses

This article describes furniture with a functional design – that is, furniture with multiple uses, such as a settee that doubles as a table or a library chair that unfolds, revealing a step-ladder to be used to reach a book on a high shelf. It originally appeared in the February 1943 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antiques collectors and dealers.

“Functional design.” For better than a decade this phrase … (continue reading)

American Vogues in Porcelain Since Colonial Days

This article discusses porcelain items imported during the 18th and 19th centuries, noting the evolution in American taste from French to English china and the items used by U.S. presidents. It originally appeared in the February 1943 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antiques collectors and dealers.

For the most part our colonial ancestors were accustomed to a simple and even frugal mode of life. But here and there along the … (continue reading)

Forestville Connecticut Clocks

This article discusses the Forestville Manufacturing Company, noting the company’s origins, the clocks that they made, and the labels that they used to mark their products. It originally appeared in the September 1947 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antiques collectors and dealers.

The name and label of the Forestville Manufacturing Company marks some fine and intelligently made Connecticut shelf clocks. This company was a prolific source of clock making from … (continue reading)

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 appeared in the January 1946 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

Possession of silver articles has always been considered as a step up on the social ladder; something … (continue reading)

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 American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

An insurance broker picks up his telephone, and recognizes the voice of one of his clients, a woman who is a collector of old glass paperweights. … (continue reading)

The Lure of Collecting Historical China

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 American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

I have long since become familiar with the query: “How did you start collecting historical Staffordshire china?” I was casually introduced to the subject 27 years … (continue reading)

Connecticut Clockmaking in Central New York

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 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

Before the Revolutionary War, New York consisted chiefly of the Hudson River Valley. The Mohawk Valley and the rest of Central and Western New York remained in the possession of … (continue reading)

Small But Useful American Silver

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 two-part series in the March and April 1942 issues of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

Part I:

“Stole at Flatbush on Long-Island, One Silver Tankerd, a … (continue reading)

The Windsor, A Perfectly Designed Chair

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 in the September 1945 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

If the Windsor chair had been invented in the 20th Century it would have been classified as functional furniture and rightly so. Perfectly … (continue reading)

First New York Regiment Buttons

This article discusses 18th-century American military buttons, noting that information on these buttons is scarce and describing the different uniforms and military buttons that were worn. It originally appeared in the January 1946 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

American military buttons of the eighteenth century are comparatively rare, and the two recently acquired New York State Militia buttons illustrated are, for me, a noteworthy … (continue reading)

Two 18th Century New York Dresses

This article describes the dresses that were worn to a ball by two prominent women in 1780. It originally appeared in the October 1948 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

When Mrs. Gabriel Ludlow and her sister, Mrs. Abraham Walton, entered the ballroom about 1780 they must have created quite a sensation in the sophisticated little town of New York. Their brocaded silk dresses, entirely … (continue reading)

Chippendale Designs as Reflected in English and American Furniture

This article discusses the two conflicting opinions about Thomas Chippendale (some say he is not worthy of the fame he received, while others say he was a master of furniture design), also noting the stretch of his influence and the differences between Chippendale furniture created in the U.S. and in England. It originally appeared in the June 1941 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antiques collectors and dealers.

For over … (continue reading)

Early American Packages

This article discusses the packaging used for early American consumer products, describing some examples and noting their intrigue. It originally appeared in the December 1942 issue of American Collector magazine, a publication which ran from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

One of America’s famed industrial designers sat at his quite modern desk (which he thinks was designed in 1936 but which was already old stuff in 1836) and, with his nose well in the air, … (continue reading)

Glass Slippers Shoes and Boots

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 from 1933-1948 and served antique collectors and dealers.

In recent years collectors of antiques, particularly American, have displayed an ever-increasing tendency toward specialization. This may be due to the fact that our collecting tempo has steadily increased. So much so that … (continue reading)