Rosewood has been one of the most coveted woods in the decorative arts, from Regency furniture and Victorian tea caddies to fine instruments and mid-century carvings. This article explains the three primary rosewood species—Brazilian, Indian, and African—how to tell them apart, why Brazilian rosewood became legendary, and where collectors can expect to find rosewood today.
A collector’s guide to Delftware (Delft Blue): a concise history from 17th‑century Dutch faience to modern Royal Delft; how Delftware is made; identification tips and maker marks; key forms sought by collectors (chargers, tulipieres, garnitures, apothecary jars, tiles); value drivers and general price bands; and clear distinctions between Delftware and other blue‑and‑white wares such as Chinese porcelain and English transferware.
A collector’s guide to Hubley toys: tracing the company from its 1894 founding in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, through its cast‑iron and die‑cast toy lines; highlighting scarce and valuable models (cast‑iron circus wagons, classic cars, motorcycles, and race cars No. 4/No. 5); offering resources for Hubley collectors; and providing guidance on fakes and reproductions using specific examples.
A collector’s guide to German beer steins: their origins from plague‑era taverns, key production centers (Westerwald, Thuringia, Munich), important makers (Mettlach/Villeroy & Boch, Reinhold Merkelbach, Hauber & Reuther), materials and construction, how to date authentic examples, and what separates mass‑produced souvenirs from truly collectible regimental, tavern, porcelain, and early stoneware steins.
