Features
Riding the Rails Hobo culture emerged from war’s ashes
This image by Edgar Franklin Wittmack graced the cover of the Oct. 24, 1925 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, presenting a common visual representation of hobo in pop culture. (Image courtesy of Fine Art America) Oct 2026 Cover Story Riding the Rails Hobo culture...
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 Follow the Yellow Brick Road The story behind the making of The Wizard of Oz by...
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...
The secret language of hobos
Oct. 2026 Everything Old The secret language of hobos by Corbin Crable No matter what industry you’ve worked in, you’ve probably communicated with your co-workers using terminology that the outside public wouldn’t understand. For those who don’t have traditional jobs...
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...
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...
The risks of buying antiques online
October 2026 Good Eye The risks of buying antiques online by Peggy Whiteneck With nearly universal expansion of Internet access, a lot of antiquing today happens online rather than on the ground. Despite that trend, I prefer live shopping, in spite of the closure of...
A world of Wedgwood
September 2026 Good Eye A world of Wedgwood by Peggy Whiteneck Wedgwood is an English company that makes many patterns of dinnerware. Whole dinnerware sets, of course, are seldom collectible in multiples because of the space that would require. Wedgwood is probably...
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...
Quilt appraising – Part 2 – So you want to be a quilt appraiser
October 2026 Covering Quilts Quilt appraising - Part 2 - So you want to be a quilt appraiser by Sandra Starley Whether you want to become a certified quilt appraiser or are simply curious about appraisals or appraisers, I think you will find the training...
Quilt appraising 101
September 2026 Covering Quilts Quilt appraising 101 by Sandra Starley Want to know more about your antique quilt or a family heirloom? Donating a quilt to a charity and want to get the correct tax deduction? Entering a quilt in a national contest and dreading...
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...
Fall is festival time in Walnut
October 2026 Fall is festival time in Walnut One of Iowa’s best antique festivals is getting ready to return to Walnut’s American Legion Hall, Oct. 10-11. The Walnut Fall Antique and Stoneware Festival is much more than a place to find quality antiques and Red...
Happy birthday to everyone’s favorite feline at The Market at Macvicar
October 2026 Happy birthday to everyone’s favorite feline at The Market at Macvicar If you’ve ever shopped at The Market at Macvicar in Topeka, you’ve likely met their resident market cat and beloved mascot, Karl (as the face of the store, he goes by many names,...
Sweet deals to be found at Sugar Mound
October 2026 Sweet deals to be found at Sugar Mound The Sugar Mound Annual Arts and Crafts Festival is here to sweeten your season, Oct. 10-11 at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Mound City. More than 400 booths will be set up, with plenty of arts, crafts, and food...
Recalling the days when a new radio was a ‘must have’ for U.S. households
October 2026 Vintage Discoveries Recalling the days when a new radio was a ‘must have’ for U.S. households by Ken Weyand A year after my parents’ wedding on New Years’ Day, 1928, my mother saved an issue of the Clark County Courier, the weekly newspaper that served...
His friends called him Charley – My grandfather lived a simple life, but he was a true gentleman
September 2026 Vintage Discoveries His friends called him Charley - My grandfather lived a simple life, but he was a true gentleman by Ken Weyand Charles Day Forrester, my mother’s father, was born November 13, 1865 in Palmyra, the county seat of Macoupin County,...
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...
“Timeless Halloween Collectibles, 1920-1949” By Claire M. Lavin
October 2026 Books for Collectors “Timeless Halloween Collectibles, 1920-1949” By Claire M. Lavin By Corbin Crable With the spooky season upon us, it’s time to think about decorating the house for Halloween. And if you wish to add a vintage touch,...
“The Wizard of Oz Collector’s Treasury” By Jay Scarfone and William Stillman
September 2026 Books for Collectors “The Wizard of Oz Collector’s Treasury” By Jay Scarfone and William Stillman By Corbin Crable “The Wizard of Oz” has captured our collective imagination since its theatrical release in 1939. And authors and Oz experts...
“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...