We have all heard the stories about someone finding a painting at an estate sale or flee market for 10 dollars then selling it at an auction for thousands. While I was working at an auction house in the Chicago area I would see this happen regularly. For example a lady bought a stein for $12.00 at a garage sale on the way to the auction house. This turned out to be a Meissen stein that sold at an auction for $1,200.00. This happens more often than people think. Many times …

As an antique appraiser I get asked many questions about caring for antiques and collectibles. The proper care is essential to maintain the value of your antiques and collectibles. Once your antiques and collectibles have any condition issues the value declines. In this article I have provided some tips on how to care for popular antiques and collectibles.
Antique and Collectible Furniture:

Dust antique furniture frequently. Use a soft cloth to dust and polish antique furniture.
Polish antique furniture only once or twice a year. Use a good beeswax based polish.  Apply the …

This is a list of 10 popular antique clock makers. There were many master clock makers in the 19th century. I have provided a brief history of the following clock makers.
Antique clock makers
Ansonia:
Ansonia made mantle, wall, grandfather and alarm clocks. They were produced from 1850-1929. The Ansonia Clock company was based in Bristol, CT and Brooklyn, NY. The Ansonia Clock company specialized in upscale novelty clocks such as swinging and statue, figurine clocks. Ansonia declined after World War I. They lost much of their business to lower-cost clock makers.

The Yale Wonder Clock is rare. Talk about gimmicks and options.
This unusual oak clock is about 7 feet tall. It’s a marriage of clock, music box, coin collecting, and arcade machine.
When you insert a nickel-size, stamped aluminum coin lights flash, music plays, and a token drops into a reward cup potentially worth 5¢, 10¢, 15¢, or 25¢.
While all this is happening within the case, three numbered tiny reels spin, generating a random number between 000 and 999.

Trying to figure out who invented the mechanical clock is like trying to decide who invented the bicycle. There are many possibilities but no one really knows for sure.
The first clocks were public tower or turret clocks. They were meant to be heard and not seen, so they didn’t have dials or hands. They were basically automatic bell sounders.
Until the first decade of the 19th century, both European and American clocks were products of the craftsman’s shop. Many people were required to produce these clocks. Turners, metalworkers, and joiners were …