William H. Mumler and the Birth of Spirit Photography

A $550 Bass Otis Portrait: Why a Copy Still Matters

Misty Morning Montclair

When Paintings Begin to Sing

A Village Happening

Reviewing Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin

Goya and the Darkness of Enlightenment

A Piece of Oregon from the Land of Enchantment

Antiques

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  Browsing Portland’s Rose City Book & Paper Fair
  The 20th Annual Rose City Book & Paper Fair in Portland offered a diverse array of books and collectibles, from vintage postcards to rare editions. Attendees enjoyed engaging displays and the tactile experience of books amidst a digital age. The fair highlighted various themes, including Native American perspectives and notable authors like Ursula K. Le Guin.
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  Collecting the Bicentennial
  The Bicentennial in 1976 marked America’s 200th anniversary, prompting widespread celebration and the production of countless commemorative items. While nostalgia fuels collector interest, many items remain affordable due to their abundance. Personal memories, like a childhood train set, exemplify the era’s enduring significance, reflecting a moment when the nation united around its history.
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  Opinion: Antiques Aren’t a Gold Mine—They’re a Lifetime of Enjoyment
  You don’t need a treasure map or a television crew to discover the value of antiques. Those events focus on finding cold gold, not warm mahogany.  You’ve seen it on TV: a dusty vase in the attic suddenly worth tens of thousands, a painting nobody noticed that turns out to be priceless. Antiques Roadshow has made treasure hunting thrilling, but… Read more: Opinion: Antiques Aren’t a Gold Mine—They’re a Lifetime of Enjoyment
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  Why Blue Willow Dishware Captivates Collectors
  If you’ve ever wandered through an antique shop or peeked into a grandmother’s china cabinet, chances are you’ve seen Blue Willow. That crisp blue-and-white pattern with the little pagoda, the willow tree, and the birds flying overhead is one of the most recognizable designs in the ceramic world. For collectors, it’s both approachable and endlessly fascinating. A Quick Backstory Willowware… Read more: Why Blue Willow Dishware Captivates Collectors
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  From Doorstep Thuds to Digital Searches: Why Old Directories Still Matter
  Remember those bulky phone books that used to land on our porches with a satisfying thud? Most of us barely glanced at them before they went straight into the recycling bin. But here’s the funny thing—those books we once tossed aside are now collectible, sometimes selling for anywhere from $15 to $300. And if you go back even further, before… Read more: From Doorstep Thuds to Digital Searches: Why Old Directories Still Matter

Out and About