ON THE COVER -
February Issue 2007
Valentine's Day Greeting.... by Judy Penz Sheluk
According to legend, the first Valentine was sent in 270 A.D. by Valentinus, a Roman priest who encouraged young couples to marry. Unfortunately, the reigning Emperor, Claudius II, disapproved of Christianity, and of marriage, in general. It was the Emperor’s belief that married soldiers would soon forget that their primary allegiance should be to their country (and to Claudius), rather than to their wives.

Q. I have a question about my mother’s reverse glass painting. It depicts the “old” Connecticut state house (since moved). It has tinsel and mother-of-pearl insets that you mentioned could be a sign of 1970s reproductions of the “gaudy” late Victorian reverse paintings. It is 3’X 2’. No signature. Is it worth a Professional appraisal? My father paid twenty five cents in the 1920s at at a garage sale.

Most Americans alive today did not live through the Great Depression of the 1920s and 1930s and for that we can be glad - ask anyone who did live through it. It was a tragic and sad time. But like most bad times it did have a few bright spots and some of those are with us today.

It's Show Season In The Bay Area.....by Carol Perry
From late fall and right on through the winter, folks who love antiques and collectibles shows are very happy in Florida. Literally every week there are shows in assorted venues throughout the state. The Tampa Bay area is no exception, and visitors, natives and "transplants" alike in the Florida west coast communities enjoy a remarkable variety of events for collectors.