Celebrity deaths dominated the news for the past ten days – Edward Leo Peter “Ed” McMahon, Jr., Ferrah Leni Fawcett (Farrah Fawcett), Michael Joseph Jackson, Josephine Owaissa Cottle (Gale Storm), and Billy Mays. The extensive television coverage following the death of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson made everyone regardless of age familiar with whom these personalities were and their accomplishments.

One of the most fascinating historical collectibles is the tableware that was used to serve railroad passengers on trains and in depots. This area of collecting is not for the faint of heart: examples can be hard to find and sometimes very expensive, and it’s frustrating because there are so many reproductions and phonies created by unscrupulous sellers to make a buck off the unwary!

Have you ever wondered how to determine what an item is worth? I frequently receive letters from people who have an item 'Just like' mine - only different! The individuals don't know how to value their item, and if they want to sell it, they understand that they need to know the value before offering it for sale. That little bit of knowledge is essential to avoid being cheated by unscrupulous people.

For those of us who sell on the internet our pictures are our best salesperson. People naturally look at photographs before even reading the text description so the better your photographs are the better your chance to make a sale.

I have been using digital cameras for almost 20 years and have learned that shooting smalls, especially jewelry, can be challenging. I have done professional photography for a large local auction house and jewelry and smalls are among the most difficult items to photograph.

The Traditional Pattern Displayed in Other Colors

The Willow Pattern is known to be recognized in the color blue but has been produced in other colors. Single monochrome colors were used, such as red, green, brown, black, pink, and mulberry. Also the Willow pattern was produced in polychrome or multicolor.

Here is a fine example of Brown Willow : This lamp base stands 8 ½ tall and is mounted on a brass stand. Circa approximately 1946

Through research this lamp value: Approximately is between $400.00 - $500.00 in Blue Brown is more rare and it is safe to assume the value is higher.

One of the major design events of the 1920s, if not the most important, was "L'exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes", which is French for "The International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts." This World's fair was held in Paris, France from April to October 1925.

It is the favorite toys that we remember from our childhood. Sometimes, it is the toys that were lost or broken that we remember the most. Maybe it's because the newness and excitement of the toy didn’t have a chance to wear off. Maybe we never had a chance to get bored with it or to outgrow it and move onto another one because it was lost or broken at the peak of its importance to us.

I've read many blogs dealing with the question of diversification. My response - a most emphatic YES! When I started out all I ever purchased was jewelry. My eyes were focused on bling - hence my shop name Glitterbugs. Then I discovered two facts. First, beautiful costume pieces in good condition were getting harder to come by and second, there were so many other great items that would be perfect to add to my shop.

We asked Harry Rinker: Have you ever made a conscious decision to stop collecting in a collecting category? If so, what were the reasons?

Here is his response:

I own multiple collections. Depending on how you organize and count them, the number exceeds over two hundred. While I never consciously decided that I would stop collecting a specific collecting category, there are collecting categories within this number that I no longer pursue with the same vigor that I once did.

One of the more interesting surprises is how antiques come alive in old newspapers. One article from 1878 gives a brief description of an anniversary party where forty “friends and neighbors” descended, unannounced, on a couple on their tenth wedding anniversary. Thankfully, the guests brought refreshments with them! And they also brought the traditional 10th anniversary gifts made of tin.