In the mid-20th century, common Halloween decorations were similar to today, and included jack-o-lanterns, black cats, spiders, bats, ghosts and witches. In the late 1800s, spiders, spider webs and bats were painted on bowls and vases that were displayed in the parlor. However, back in Victorian times, bats and spiders were symbols of success and […]
Stamps Still Missing After Nearly 60 Years
Posted on October 15th, 2014 by Joe G
In 1918, one sheet of United States 24-cent airmail postage stamps was accidentally printed with an image featuring an upside-down airplane. These stamps are known today as “Inverted Jennies,” as the airplane is called a Curtis Jenny. Eighteen years later, in 1936, a block of four of these stamps was bought for $16,000 and given […]
August Jewelry and Watch Sales Increased
Posted on October 6th, 2014 by Joe G
Jewelry and watch sales from all retail channels increased nearly 5 percent in August as compared to the same month in 2013. While the consumer price index (CPI) for watches increased 4.5 percent, the CPI for jewelry fell 4.7 percent. Excluding watches, jewelry sales increased 5 percent year to year in July, and 4.8% to $4.94 billion […]
Rare Piece of Jewelry Found at Flea Market
Posted on September 30th, 2014 by Joe G
A gold brooch purchased at a flea market last month for around $60 was recently discovered to be worth much more than that. Made by Cartier, the “tutti-frutti” 1930s pin features a ruby, sapphires and emeralds, and was found by the anonymous buyer in a box of costume jewelry. Hansons Auctioneers in the UK put the […]
Eisenhower Rolex Falls Short
Posted on September 24th, 2014 by Joe G
Last week, an 18-karat gold Rolex was put up for sale by RR Auction – but this wasn’t just any ordinary 18-karat gold Rolex. The watch belonged to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, given to him by the famed watchmaker in 1951. However, bids didn’t quite cut it. The seller, Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection, set an undisclosed reserve (the lowest […]