What a Thing to Find.
World Class Antiques
Advanced
← The collector's library

Everyday collectibles

Follow an interest through the World Class Antiques editorial archive.

A little curiosity goes a long way

Explore this topic.

The Fascinating History of Vintage Handkerchiefs

Everyday collectibles

The Fascinating History of Vintage Handkerchiefs

Vintage handkerchiefs showcase history, fashion, and culture. Explore their evolution from luxury accessories to collectible textiles sought after by collectors.

6 min read · From the archive
Antique and Collectible Wristwatches Are Something to Watch at Auction

Everyday collectibles

Antique and Collectible Wristwatches Are Something to Watch at Auction

Watches are highly collectible items and lately they have been reaching some excessive amounts at auction. Take the Paul Newman, for example, a 1968 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona owned by the famous actor himself. In 2017 it sold for $17.8M at Phillips auction house in New York. Considered the most sought-after Rolex in the world, this Daytona comes from a long line of celebrated watches designed for those with “a passion for driving and speed.”

5 min read · From the archive
Antique Typewriters

Everyday collectibles

Antique Typewriters

"A Machine to Supersede the Pen! Ministers, lawyers, authors, and all who desire to escape the drudgery of the pen, are cordially invited to call at our office, and learn to use the Typewriter. Use of machines, paper, and instructions, FREE!"

5 min read · From the archive
Antiques For The Superstitious

Everyday collectibles

Antiques For The Superstitious

Explore vampire-slaying kits and the surge in gold antique prices in 2020. Discover recent auction highlights and valuable collectibles.

5 min read · From the archive
Button Collecting

Everyday collectibles

Button Collecting

Antique button collecting - say it with buttons: 125 years of american culture and history in the pin-back button

5 min read · From the archive
China Still Holding Strong Against US for Art and Antiques

Everyday collectibles

China Still Holding Strong Against US for Art and Antiques

In 2011, China overtook the United States as a global art market for the first time, a "fundamental and important" change according a The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) report at that time. Created annually by Dr. Clare McAndrew's firm Art Economics, the report provides the leading indication of the global art market when it is unveiled each year.

3 min read · From the archive
Christmas Records Collector

Everyday collectibles

Christmas Records Collector

One of the joys of being a collector of Christmas material: Christmas Records

6 min read · From the archive
Collecting Antique Banjos

Everyday collectibles

Collecting Antique Banjos

What's the best way to tune a banjo? With wire cutters. What do you call twenty banjos at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.

5 min read · From the archive
Collecting Antique Pay Phones

Everyday collectibles

Collecting Antique Pay Phones

When I was an adolescent in the early 1960's, my mother wouldn't let me leave the neighborhood without a dime in my pocket (in case I had to make an emergency phone call). Consider for a moment the infrastructure that had to be in place in order for me to use that emergency dime: there had to be a pay phone nearby, with a phone book attached (emergency 911 didn't exist nationally until 1967). Providing those basics required a well-funded phone company, thousands of miles of cabling, plus maintenance and administrative personnel. Back then, I di

5 min read · From the archive
Collecting Antique Tins

Everyday collectibles

Collecting Antique Tins

Collecting antique tins brings history to life, with biscuit boxes and vintage ads showing why these charming pieces continue to fascinate collectors.

7 min read · From the archive
Collecting Daguerreotypes

Everyday collectibles

Collecting Daguerreotypes

Daguerreotypes are an ideal collectible antique, one-of-a-kind images, rare, and difficult to convincingly fake. Click to learn more.

5 min read · From the archive
Collecting Mining Artifacts

Everyday collectibles

Collecting Mining Artifacts

Collecting mining artifacts, your connection between mining and the advancement of civilization. Start your research here.

6 min read · From the archive
Collecting Paramount Vintage Records

Everyday collectibles

Collecting Paramount Vintage Records

Learn more about the mystique of vintage Paramount Records. At one time the premier label for American blues, they sold hundreds of thousands of discs per year.

5 min read · From the archive
Collecting Tobacciana

Everyday collectibles

Collecting Tobacciana

Tobacco was smoked in pipes and cigars, chopped up and chewed, ground with a mortar and pestle. Learn more about collecting tobacciana.

5 min read · From the archive
Collecting Vintage Duck Decoys

Everyday collectibles

Collecting Vintage Duck Decoys

As with other collectibles, the value of a decoy lies in its condition, rarity, artistic presentation and provenance. Experienced collectors offer the following tips for newbies. Click to learn more.

6 min read · From the archive
Even Vintage Plastic Has Value In The Eyes Of A Collector

Everyday collectibles

Even Vintage Plastic Has Value In The Eyes Of A Collector

When you think of the world of antiques and collectibles, plastic is not a material or medium that often comes to mind. But plastic became very popular from the 1900s on with the inventions of celluloid, bakelite, and lucite. These three different plastics with slightly varying characteristics became popular in the form of jewellery, cutlery, dinnerware, and radios.

4 min read · From the archive
Klondike Collectibles

Everyday collectibles

Klondike Collectibles

Discover Klondike Collectibles: Explore a captivating collection of memorabilia from the Klondike Gold Rush. Unearth history, artifacts, and more.

5 min read · From the archive
Need a Pick Me Up? Have a Soda Pop!

Everyday collectibles

Need a Pick Me Up? Have a Soda Pop!

Did you know that the common soda pop was introduced originally as a magic elixir in the late 19th century, where one might desire a little pick me up?!

11 min read · From the archive
Shiver Me Timbers!

Everyday collectibles

Shiver Me Timbers!

How HMS Resolute one of five ships commissioned by Queen Victoria to rescue Sir John Franklin from the Northwest Passage came to be in the White House.

5 min read · From the archive
The Art of Antique Bottle Collecting

Everyday collectibles

The Art of Antique Bottle Collecting

Dive into the world of antique bottle collecting, from 1600s treasures to 1950s gems. Discover rare finds, diverse styles, and historical charm. Explore the art of glass history!

6 min read · From the archive
The Early Days Of Space Exploration

Everyday collectibles

The Early Days Of Space Exploration

Since the beginning of time, mankind has been fascinated with space exploration. Learn more about space exploration collectibles.

8 min read · From the archive
The Origins of Grandfather Time

Everyday collectibles

The Origins of Grandfather Time

Explore the fascinating history of the grandfather clock, from ancient timepieces to the luxurious long case clock, a symbol of precision and artistry in horology.

6 min read · From the archive