ON THE COVER -
April Issue 2006
Artists of Easter Postcards.....by Roy Nuhn
About a hundred years ago, Americans began exchanging Easter greeting postcards with each other, especially with friends and relatives. As the greeting style picture postcard gained more and more popularity in the early years of the last century, all of our holidays were soon being celebrated with cards especially designed for such a purpose. , Among these special days was Easter.

Q. I am trying to make some leaves for a late 1800's walnut table. It has the slides and pegs in place but the leaves are missing. I have glued up the walnut and made the inserts but I can't make the color match even though I have stripped the table and started over. There seems to be a color difference in the two types of wood even thought they are both walnut. Any hints?

THE ANTIQUE DETECTIVE
Creatures of Chinese Export Porcelain Captivate

It may seem a quantum leap from a career as a cytogeneticist at the University of East Anglia , just outside of London, to top specialty dealer in Chinese Export Porcelain. Such was the case, in 1973, when Michael Cohen, who had collected porcelains, decided to focus on the fine porcelains the Chinese exported around the world from the 16th to the early 19th century. “Chinese porcelain has more soul than European and the Chinese did it first,” he said. It was much the same for his wife, and partner, Ewa.

BUCKET BRIGADE COLLECTIBLE-American Fire Fighters History...by Anne Gilbert
America’s firemen have a long and exciting history that dates before the American Revolution, when they were volunteers. It wasn’t till after the steam engine came into use in 1852 that fire fighters became paid professionals.  Fortunately for historians and collectors many of their early artifacts have survived. Surprisingly, when they make a rare auction appearance, prices are affordable. At the James Julia, Maine auction, many wonderful pieces sold well below estimate. A painted leather fire bucket dated 1789 estimated at $4,000/6,000 fetched $3,737.50.  A heavy cast iron fire mark with clasped hands and “1794” in relief in gold, issued in 1927 sold for $575. The estimate was $500/1,000.

THE ANTIQUE DETECTIVE
Old Screens Reflect Design Styles of Eras
For centuries artists have used screens, often like canvas, to paint, carve and weave designs of great beauty. Or to express the design motifs of the time. They often had a variety of purposes. There were standing floor screens to use as dressing room corners and decorative accessories Table screens, when framed, were used on walls as well.

Torquay Pottery.....by Gerry Kline
England's "Torquay" pottery has become a popular collectible in recent years and many people are requesting background information on the potteries; the type of decoration and the period in which they first appeared. The "Devon Motto Ware" is by far the most popular of the Torquay wares in the United States and Canada. However it's unbelievable how popular the Torquay "Art" pottery is today.

Appreciating Akro Agate.....by Carol J. Perry
The colorful Florida art of the Highwaymen, the itinerant black painters of the second half the century, continues to attract interest and buyers. The top lot of the February 5 sale at Frank’s Antiques auction in Hilliard was a bucolic rural Florida landscape by Alfred Hair (1941-1970).  Hair was one of the earliest painters in the group and he had a great influence on the rest of the artists. His paintings are always well received. This one sold for $1,550 plus the ten percent buyer’s premium. Another Highwayman, a small oil on board by James Gibson, sold for $500.