Features
A real cut-up Jack-o’-lanterns bring whimsy, fright to Halloween
Treasure your creatively-carved jack-o’-lantern while you can – they’ll begin to get soft and moldy after roughly three to five days. (Image courtesy of Manicpumpkincarvers.com)October 2024Cover Story A real cut-up Jack-o’-lanterns bring whimsy, fright to Halloweenby...
A bridge to another time Covered bridges still stir up our nostalgia
Missouri’s Sandy Creek Covered Bridge, located in Hillsboro, is seen framed by winter snow. (Image courtesy of Facebook)September 2024Cover Story A bridge to another time Covered bridges still stir up our nostalgiaby Corbin CrableThe covered bridge The covered bridge...
Fun Under The Big Top Circus collectibles reflect colorful history, memories
This vintage-looking circus tent evokes a feeling of nostalgia and memories in the making. (Image courtesy of Vecteezy.com)August 2024Cover Story Fun Under The Big Top Circus collectibles reflect colorful history, memoriesby Corbin CrableRevelers young and old have...
Adventure Awaits Travel posters jump-start travelers’ wanderlust
The Royal Mail Lines Pacific Line took travelers to any number of South American countries. The cruise ship company’s life was short, operating only from 1932 to 1965. (Image courtesy of antikbar.co.uk) July 2024Cover Story Adventure Awaits Travel posters jump-start...
Privacy, please Outhouses were a part of daily lives in centuries past
Outhouses usually were located 50 to 100 yards from the back of one’s home. (Image courtesy of Daniel Coronoa / Unsplash.com) June 2024Cover Story Privacy, please Outhouses were a part of daily lives in centuries pastby Corbin CrableWe all take indoor plumbing for...
Two of a kind Salt and pepper shakers make inexpensive, colorful collectibles
These shakers have their original cobalt blue glass liners with silverplated frames and lids. (Image courtesy of Antiques and Teacups) May 2024Cover Story Two of a kind Salt and pepper shakers make inexpensive, colorful collectiblesby Corbin CrableIt’s one of the...
Legend has delighted, spooked us for centuries
Edward Hull, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsOctober 2024Everything Old Legend has delighted, spooked us for centuriesby Corbin Crable Pumpkin-carving season Autumn is upon us, and with it comes pumpkin-carving season. Maybe you’re planning to load the family up...
Libraries remain essential part of our communities
Photo by Seven Shooter on UnsplashSeptember 2024Everything Old Libraries remain essential part of our communitiesby Corbin Crable September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, and if you’re a lifelong reader like...
The Greatest Show on Earth
Photo by Becky Phan on UnsplashAugust 2024Everything Old The Greatest Show on Earthby Corbin Crable For generations, circuses have given the American public the chance to forget their troubles and be entertained by physical comedy, fantastic feats of derring do, and...
We all scream for ice cream in July
Photo by Brooke Lark on UnsplashJuly 2024Everything Old We all scream for ice cream in Julyby Corbin Crable In 2024, July celebrates its 40th anniversary as National Ice Cream Month, so grab a spoon and enjoy a heaping scoop while I share a bit about its history. July...
If you sprinkle when you tinkle…
Photo by Adobe FireflyJune 2024Everything Old If you sprinkle when you tinkle…by Corbin Crable This month’s cover story relays the history of outhouses, those quiet but stinky outdoor private places where everyone did their business in the 19th century. First,...
The seasoning with a storied history
Photo by Lachlan on UnsplashMay 2024Everything Old The seasoning with a storied historyby Corbin Crable Everyone knows there are two types of people: Those who crave sugary snacks, and those who would prefer something salty instead. I’ve always fallen into the latter...
How do you display your collection?
March 2023 ANTIQUE DETECTIVE How do you display your collection? by Anne Gilbert Curio Cabinets Whether a collection is large or small, over the centuries, furniture was made just to show it off. It began in ancient Rome, with royalty and the wealthy, who used table...
Toy farm tractors come to town for child and adult collectors
February 2023ANTIQUE DETECTIVE Toy farm tractors come to town for child and adult collectorsby Anne Gilbert Antique Toy Farm Tractors Farm toys have been collected for decades. One of the most popular categories is the small toy farm tractor. While late 19th century...
Victorian Gothic revival furniture can be weird and pricey
December 2022ANTIQUE DETECTIVE Victorian Gothic revival furniture can be weird and priceyby Anne Gilbert Victorian Gothic revival furniture You might think that Victorian Gothic revival furniture was made for Halloween. The carved, devilish-looking heads on chairs are...
Little lights for winter celebrations
December 2024Good Eye Little lights for winter celebrationsby Peggy Whiteneck Candlelit fairy lights (AKA fairy lamps) were popular in the 19th century before access to gas and electrical lighting. George Miller Clarke invented fairy lights in England in 1844, just...
Gobble up these collectibles for Thanksgiving
November 2024Good Eye Gobble up these collectibles for Thanksgivingby Peggy Whiteneck Pilgrim forms made of cloth, straw, or ceramics are useful as decorations for Thanksgiving but not so much for the rest of the year. Broadening our focus, there are many...
Feast your eyes on delicious antique custard glass
October 2024 Good Eye Feast your eyes on delicious antique custard glass by Peggy Whiteneck Custard glass is creamy ivory or pale-yellow pressed glass that was popular in the late 19th and very early 20th centuries. It was used in tableware made by some English and...
Fall in love with New York – quilting adventures with the American Quilt Study, Part 2
December 2024Covering Quilts Fall in love with New York – quilting adventures with the American Quilt Study, Part 2by Sandra Starley Every fall, lovers of quilt history (old and new) meet to share research, treasures, and friendship at the Annual Meeting/Fall Seminar...
Fall in love with New York – quilting adventures with the American Quilt Study Group
November 2024Covering Quilts Fall in love with New York – quilting adventures with the American Quilt Study Groupby Sandra Starley What could be better than touring New York in the Fall with a lot of friends and antique quilts? Not much! Once again I had the...
Adventures in quilt rescue
October 2024Covering Quilts Adventures in quilt rescueby Sandra Starley Several years ago, I acquired a funky leaf appliqué quilt from an online auction. I put in a single small bid, then forgot about the item. I was surprised to find that I was the new owner,...
Hit the road for flea markets in early May
May 2025Hit the road for flea markets in early May A duo of flea markets in small Kansas towns will provide the ideal opportunity to spruce up your home with collectibles, décor, and more for the summer months. These longtime Flea markets in Sparks (east of Highland)...
Summer flea markets begin at Jesse James & Rusty Chandelier
May 2025Summer flea markets begin at Jesse James & Rusty Chandelier Jesse James Antique Mall and The Rusty Chandelier in St. Joseph are giving antique lovers the opportunity to work on their tan while doing a little shopping. The stores will host their Vintage...
Kick off spring in style at The Vintage Bee, Queen Bee Boutiques
April 2025 Kick off spring in style at The Vintage Bee, Queen Bee Boutiques A first-ever event at The Vintage Bee and Queen Bee Boutiques in Blue Springs aims to bring more vendors to the sprawling stores. The Vintage Vendor Fest on April 12 will allow would-be...
Poster recalls Ozark Air Lines, TWA, and an exciting cross-country flight
November 2024Vintage Discoveries Poster recalls Ozark Air Lines, TWA, and an exciting cross-country flightby Ken Weyand Recently, I found an old aviation poster, rolled up in a corner. It’s a reminder of the days I had a love affair with aviation, writing about its...
‘Forgotten airport’ found in Kansas City Area
October 2024Vintage Discoveries ‘Forgotten airport’ found in Kansas City Areaby Ken Weyand When I was putting together the 1970 book, “Aviation History in Greater Kansas City,” a few of the old-time pilots I interviewed mentioned the old “Police Airport” in North...
World’s Fair souvenir book reveals styles of the ‘thirties
September 2024Vintage Discoveries World’s Fair souvenir book reveals styles of the ‘thirtiesby Ken Weyand Six years ago in my column, I recalled a trip my mother and her parents made in 1934 to the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. Recently, I discovered a...
“The Handbook of Vintage Cigarette Lighters”
September 2024 Books for Collectors “The Handbook of Vintage Cigarette Lighters” by Stuart Schneider and Ira Pilossof By Corbin Crable Vintage cigarette lighters can be found just about everywhere you look, including at garage sales, estate sales, swap...
“The Complete and Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls” By Hilary Shilkitus James
April 2024Books for Collectors“The Complete and Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls” By Hilary Shilkitus JamesBy Corbin Crable You’ve seen the more contemporary Barbie dolls everywhere, but Hilary Shilkitus James’ book “The Complete and Unauthorized Guide...
“NASA: Space Flight Research and Pioneering Developments” By Hans-Jüergen Becker
March 2024Books for Collectors“NASA: Space Flight Research and Pioneering Developments” By Hans-Jüergen BeckerBy Corbin Crable Those fascinated by what exists beyond Earth’s atmosphere are sure to gobble up Hans- Jüergen Becker’s tome “NASA: Space Flight...