Mettlach, Germany, is a town known for manufacturing beer steins at the Villeroy and Boch factories since about 1842. They made all types of pottery. It started in 1809 when Pierre-Joseph…
The earliest use of eyeglasses was recorded about 1300. Rock crystal was shaped and set into round frames to wear and improve clarity. Glasses with temple arms that sit on the ears…
If you like unusual or unique furniture, try going to online auctions of modern or contemporary furniture. The pictured pair of art moderne chairs sold at a Neal auction in New Orleans…
Furniture made in America during its early days sometimes used expensive imported material like mahogany with hardware from Europe. But local woods, like pine, oak, walnut and cedar,…
Whirligigs were invented centuries ago. They are both toys and tools, indicators of wind direction and the weather. Sources disagree on where the first were made; it was probably in…
It is not easy to identify antique and vintage ceramics, because many were made by small local potteries and not marked. Workmen often moved to another factory but continued to make…
Bottle collecting has been an important pastime since the end of the 19th century, when the first bottle seekers dug up examples in old privy pits, the town dump or a rocky seacoast…
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17 in the United States, but collectors found few postcards, greeting cards or objects to collect before 1900. The first St. Patrick’s…
McHenry man charged with residential ...A McHenry man was charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors involving ...
Community pulls together to save ...After months of uncertainty and urgent repairs, the Metamora Community Pool has ...
Chicago teen charged in fatal ...A 19-year-old Chicago man has been charged in connection with a fatal ...
Government, defense spar as child ...With the criminal trial of Elburn veterinarian Adam Stafford King fast approaching ...
