ON THE COVER -
July Issue 2008 
Treasured Signs of Past Automobile Age By: Robert Reed
Cheap gas, economically-priced American made automobiles, miles of open highway, and a gleaming gas station on every corner. That was the golden age of the automobile in America. Today little remains of that sweeping era except for the surviving signs that once land marked the landscape.

 Patriotic Teddy Bears Celebrate the 4th of July By: Roy Nuhn
Among the dozens of postcard sets - and hundreds of singles - published prior to 1914 that reflected America's love affair with teddy bears, quite a few sparkle red, white and blue. Teddies are portrayed acting patriotically by dressing up as Uncle Sam, waving Old Glory and joyfully celebrating the country's premier historic day.

Q. I am having a hard time identifying this bed with this ornate headboard and dresser. Both pieces have been shellacked and the dresser has water marks and scratches. The foot board has broken pegs. The false graining on the bed has touches of gold. The pieces are similar but don’t match. What can you tell me about age, value, etc?  

Brilliant Cut Glass By: Robert Reed
The true brilliant cut glass period didn't last long in historical terms but it produced an impressive array of products that still dazzle the eye today.

Old Children Furniture Decorative & Functional By: Anne Gilbert
For many years adults have been buying up not only antique children’s furniture but examples from Arts and Crafts, Modern and even post modern 60s, 70s. They have discovered new uses for them as decorative and functional accessories. You may be surprised to learn that some of the 19th century, one-of-a-kind pieces are less expensive than 20th century examples.

Antique Fire Grenade Bottles By: Maureen Timm
Have you ever wondered what they had to quench a fire with in the old days, before the invention of flame-retardant chemicals and foam filled canisters? As a matter of fact, they had an arsenal of their own in the form of liquid-filled fire grenades.