Features
Follow the Yellow Brick Road The story behind the making of The Wizard of Oz
The shimmering Emerald City toward which Dorothy and her new friends skipped was a painted scene using pastels on a board. (Image courtesy of The Library of Congress) Sept 2026 Cover Story From the weird to the wonderful Find a slice of Americana roadside on Route 66...
From the weird to the wonderful Find a slice of Americana roadside on Route 66
The history of visitors to the Cadillac Ranch in Texas is spray-painted across the bodies of the cars buried at the popular tourist stop on Route 66. (Image courtesy of the City of Amarillo, TX) Aug 2026 Cover Story From the weird to the wonderful Find a slice of...
A most collectible year Bicentennial memorabilia ranges from cups to coins and more
Honor America's 250-year journey with this exclusive commemorative coin. Featuring iconic American symbols like the majestic eagle and historic dates 1776-2026, it's a premier item of America 250 merchandise for patriots and history enthusiasts. (Image courtesy of...
Pull over and stay awhile Midcentury roadside motels offer personality, vintage charm
Artist Norman Rockwell’s illustration “Marble Champ” beautifully depicts the intense competition of marble play. (Image courtesy of Etsy) June 2026 Cover Story Pull over and stay awhile Midcentury roadside motels offer personality, vintage charm by Corbin...
Knuckle Down Marbles remain the small wonder of the toy world
Artist Norman Rockwell’s illustration “Marble Champ” beautifully depicts the intense competition of marble play. (Image courtesy of Etsy) May 2026 Cover Story Knuckle Down Marbles remain the small wonder of the toy world by Corbin Crable There’s plenty of debate...
Making dinner delightful Fiestaware brings color to the party
Soup, salad, cereals, salsa, snacks! There is a perfect bowl for everything, according to Fiestaware Factory Direct. (Image courtesy of fiestafactorydirect.com) April 2026 Cover Story Making dinner delightful Fiestaware brings color to the party by Corbin Crable...
Many differences exist between ‘Oz’ book and classic film
Sept. 2026 Everything Old Many differences exist between ‘Oz’ book and classic film by Corbin Crable As many of you may recall, watching “The Wizard of Oz” on cable television used to be an annual event – your family would get cozy in the living room, grab a bowl of...
Cutting the mystery (meat) out of school lunch programs
Photo by AI chatgpt Aug. 2026 Everything Old Cutting the mystery (meat) out of school lunch programs by Corbin Crable It’s about time to hang up the swimsuit and draft your list of back-to-school supplies. If you were like other kids headed back to the classroom, that...
America’s 100th anniversary put country’s progress on display
US Flag with 37 stars. In use 4 July 1867–3 July 1877. Created by jacobolus using Adobe Illustrator, and released into the public domain. July 2026 Everything Old America’s 100th anniversary put country’s progress on display by Corbin Crable If you were around in...
An ode to the Mother Road
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash March 2026 Everything Old An ode to the Mother Road by Corbin Crable If you ever plan to motor westTravel my way, take the highway that’s the bestGet your kicks on Route 66 It winds from Chicago to L.A.More than two thousand miles all...
Don’t lose your marbles: American games at the turn of the century
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash March 2026 Everything Old Don’t lose your marbles: American games at the turn of the century by Corbin Crable Get your favorite cat’s eye polished, because in this issue of Discover Vintage America, we’ll be doing a deep dive into the...
A celebration of craftsmanship
Photo by Viktor Forgacs - click ↓↓ on Unsplash March 2026 Everything Old A celebration of craftsmanship by Corbin Crable It seems like there’s a day and a month designated to just about every cause, awareness, and activity out there. This month, we honor the handmade...
Prices vary for early Russel Wright-designed items
1927 - 2023 ANTIQUE DETECTIVE Prices vary for early Russel Wright-designed items by Anne Gilbert The big hunt for Russel Wright (1904-76) Fiesta pottery, chrome objects and furniture that began in the late 1970s and ‘80s, has leveled off, as have prices. It all...
Would you recognize a Chinoiserie-finish antique?
May 2023 ANTIQUE DETECTIVE Would you recognize a Chinoiserie-finish antique? by Anne Gilbert Japanning or Chinoiserie Whether you call it Japanning or Chinoiserie, if it was made before the 20th century, call it expensive. Even some examples made in the early 20th...
Once-popular painted porcelain plaques can be pricey and reproductions
April 2023 ANTIQUE DETECTIVE Once-popular painted porcelain plaques can be pricey and reproductions by Anne Gilbert Painted Porcelain Plaques Back in the 1970s and ‘80s, 19th-century small or miniature painted porcelain portrait plaques were hot collectibles. When...
Antique Dolls from the Stylish and Sophisticated to the Earthy and Eerie
August 2026 Good Eye Antique Dolls from the Stylish and Sophisticated to the Earthy and Eerie by Peggy Whiteneck As with most old toys, antique dolls showing no sign of ever having been played with by a child are the ones that appeal to adult collectors, who are often...
Shake, rattle, and roll!
July 2026 Good Eye Shake, rattle, and roll! by Peggy Whiteneck The oldest rattles date from about 4,500 years ago in the Middle East. Speculation has given them other roles besides toys, such as warding off evil spirits (through the sounds a rattle makes). “But...
Silver jewelry from Native American artisans
May 2026 Good Eye Silver jewelry from Native American artisans by Peggy Whiteneck Most Native American jewelry consists of silver with natural stone or shell insets. However, those purchasing it should be aware that Native American jewelry has been widely imitated by...
For the Love of Feedsacks
August 2026 Covering Quilts For the Love of Feedsacks by Sandra Starley By Georgia Starley, guest columnistA note from Sandra Starley: This month I have turned my Covering Quilts column over to a special guest writer, my mother, Georgia Starley, who has a...
America’s greatest hits – quilting edition – Part IV
July 2026 Covering Quilts America’s greatest hits – quilting edition – Part IV by Sandra Starley The Fourth of July 2026 is the perfect time to review the rich heritage of American quilting. I hope you enjoy this overview and start your own tour of American...
America’s greatest hits – quilting edition – Part III
June 2026 Covering Quilts America’s greatest hits – quilting edition – Part III by Sandra Starley This seminal year is the perfect time to review the rich heritage of American quilting. I hope you enjoy this overview and start your own tour of American quilts...
Pilgrim House On The Bluff has everything for your garden
August 2026 Pilgrim House on the Bluff has everything for your garden Shawnee’s Pilgrim House on the Bluff is hosting a garden items sale for their Second Saturday event, August 8. All garden items are 25% off that day. The gorgeous 19th-century home, situated just...
Sellers and buyers ready to descend on tiny town for flea market
August 2026 Sellers and buyers ready to descend on tiny town for flea market It’s flea market time in the tiny town of Sparks, which boasts a population of only nine, according to the website for the Sparks Antiques and Collectibles Flea Market. Its population will...
Sun, sidewalk sales, and summertime at Jesse James and Rusty Chandelier
August 2026 Sun, sidewalk sales, and summertime at Jesse James and Rusty Chandelier Jesse James Antique Mall and The Rusty Chandelier in St. Joseph will bring their bargains outdoors when they host their Sidewalk Sale on Aug. 21-23. Wares from more than 280 dealers...
State Fair memories last a lifetime
August 2026 Vintage Discoveries State Fair memories last a lifetime by Ken Weyand Growing up in northeast Missouri, I recall that our farm family visited both the Missouri and Iowa state fairs. Unlike neighboring dairy farmers, whose work kept them at home, we were...
Arkansas traveling: retracing a 1921 road trip
May 2026 Vintage Discoveries Arkansas traveling: retracing a 1921 road trip by Ken Weyand My Aunt Florence was unique in her day. The oldest of eight orphans, she became a social worker and later a state employee in Arkansas, where she lived most of her life. One of...
Pennants helped students show school spirit in 1914
April 2026 Vintage Discoveries Pennants helped students show school spirit in 1914 by Ken Weyand My “cedar chest of family history” produced another couple of items: a pair of college pennants, well over 100 years old. They were among the few things my dad, Elmer...
“Vintage Neon” By Len Davidson
August 2026 Books for Collectors “Vintage Neon” By Len Davidson By Corbin Crable As we continue our deep-dive into Route 66’s history and culture during this, the Mother Road’s centennial anniversary, one book examines one of the most illuminating features of...
“Commemorative American Quilts: Stitching Our History From 1876 to Today” By Sandra Sider
July 2026 Books for Collectors “Commemorative American Quilts: Stitching Our History From 1876 to Today” By Sandra Sider By Corbin Crable Just in time for America’s semiquincentennial anniversary (that’s 250 years for the numerically challenged) is the new...
“The No. 1 Price Guide to M.I. Hummel: Figurines, Plates, Miniatures, & More” – By Robert L. Miller
February 2026 Books for Collectors “The No. 1 Price Guide to M.I. Hummel: Figurines, Plates, Miniatures, & More” By Robert L. Miller By Corbin Crable Any devoted collector of M.I. Hummel figurines knows there’s more to the brand than just the small...