$1,112Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th Century English bronze letters
Located in London, GB
“SUMMER” A cool collection of early 20th Century English bronze letters that spell “SUMMER”. Still in place these letters have their original support screws which have bent over ti...
Bronze
$385Sale Price|30% Off
Framed Richard Nixon & Spiro Agnew Watergate Letters 1973
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Hand-typed letters between "Jim Harper" of California and the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon, and Vice President Spiro Agnew. It features two letter responses wri...
Glass, Wood
$2,200 / set
Two Typed Letters Signed (TLS) by T. S. Eliot
Located in Middletown, NY
Two one-page letters on Faber & Faber stationery, SIGNED by T. S. Eliot. The first, dated 1 December 1949 is double sided, 10 1/4 x 8 inches (266 x 204 mm) in envelope 4 1/4 x 5 1/4...
Paper
Architectural Gold Leaf Sign Letters "T" and "O" Large Scale
Located in Fulton, CA
Two vintage sign letters, "T" and "O". Cast metal with gold leaf finish. Nice patina to finish. "T" Measures: 11 inches wide. 18" high. 1.25 inches deep. "O" Measures: 18 inches w...
Metal
Royal Autographs Charles XIV John of Sweden & Prince of Lorraine Letters
Located in Nottingham, GB
An exceptional pairing of two historic European manuscript letters, dating from 1723 and 1816, bringing together material associated with the Houses of Lorraine and Bernadotte across...
Paper
Rare Antique Pope Pius IX Papal Letters Wax Seal Signature Vatican
Located in Doha, QA
A rare and historically significant ensemble of two framed 19th-century ecclesiastical documents, directly linked to the pontificate of Pope Pius IX and to Abbé H. Vernhet, a documen...
Wood, Parchment Paper
$2,450Sale Price|30% Off
3 Original 1969 Woodstock Tickets w The Experience LP Record & COA Letters
Located in Dayton, OH
Framed display of three original 1969 tickets to woodstock, and Woodstock 1969 The "Experience" miniature LP. Includes 1991 Letters of Authenticity from Globe Ticket Company and Barn...
Paper
1928 A Wonderful Grain of Rice 101 Letters Curiosity Delhi to Dulwich Folk Art
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A real curiosity from Darulfalah Museum Delhi Indian, a grain of rice with 101 letter upon it. Dated 1928 the piece of rice reads A Happy & Prosperous Life to D.H. Allport Esqr......
Natural Fiber, Blown Glass
Antique Frame French Book Journal Display/Painting 13th-19th Century
Located in Doha, QA
Each individual item was collected by an anonymous artist to create a magnificent display of historical, handwritten journals and letters bound in mystifying, ancient animal hides to...
Gold, Silver
Conceptual "Alphabet & Numerals", Acrylic Painting, Framed Pop Art
Located in San Diego, CA
What may also be lost is the ability to read other historical letters from history or even the original writing of the Constitution. – Duke Windsor
Gold Leaf
$6,500
Contemporary Abstract Painting Between Petals I Acrylic and Pigment Dye Organza
By Sedef Gali
Located in New York, NY
Embedded within the surfaces are fragments drawn from personal writings alongside excerpts from historical letters and literary correspondences — from Beethoven to Kafka — partially ...
Acrylic, Dye
Georgian Emerald 22 Karat Gold Antique Napoleon Bonaparte Death Token Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a 5.5 mm round emerald cabochon - transparent medium green Set in a colette style bezel that swivels on axis to reveal a secret token Displaying a gold cameo of Napoleon Bo...
Emerald, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Bone Alphabet Letters in Turned Horn Box, c.1840
Located in Savannah, GA
A complete set of Victorian bovine bone alphabet letters in a turned bovine horn box with fitted lid, circa 1840. 2 ¼ inches wide by 1 inch tall; the A is a hair over ½ inch tall....
Bone, Horn
Sold
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.6 in
Letters patent, Amadeo I to Countess of Santa Engracia. Madrid, 1873.
Located in Madrid, ES
Execution of nobility granted by Amadeo I to the Countess of Santa Engracia. Bound book. Madrid, Spain, 1873. Execution of nobility or nobility bound in leather embossed with gold l...
Other
Sold
H 40 in W 34.5 in D 2 in
17th/18th Century Queen Anne Letters Patent on Vellum with Partial Great Seal
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Queen Anne letters patent on vellum with a partial Great Seal and beautifully detailed portrait of the Queen. This document dates to the late 17th or early 18th c...
Other
Framed Napoleonic Government Documents
Located in New Orleans, LA
This historically significant collection of letters is from the Ministers and trusted Generals serving Napoleon Bonaparte during his reign as the French Emperor from 1804-1814, and t...
Paper
Sold
H 43.5 in W 62 in D 3 in
George Washington Signed Military Appointment of John Wade to Lieutenant
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Signed letters from the Revolution and letters and historical documents during his presidency can be particularly desirable, but the unique tale told by his presidential appointments...
Jackie Robinson Signatures and Personal Letters
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Jackie Robinson signature's and personal letters. These historical pieces of sports memorabilia contain two personal letters and one separate autograph all written and signed by b...
Sold
H 33.86 in W 53.94 in D 16.93 in
Pierre Jeanneret '1896-1967' 'PJ-R-14-A' Storage Unit, India, 1950s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Adding to its value and historical significance, this cupboard features letters that reveal a part of the fascinating history of Chandigarh.
Teak
Memoires de Mr D'artagnan (French Edition) 1966
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
His extensive body of work includes short stories, gallant letters, accounts of historical love affairs (such as Les Intrigues amoureuses de la Cour de France, 1684), historical and ...
Paper
Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower Typed Signed Letters
Located in Jersey, GB
A pair of typed, signed letters from US President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 – 1969) and the First Lady Mamie Eisenhower (1896 – 1979). The first is a typed letter on White House ...
Paper
100 Years War Letters Sent by Royal Messenger
Located in Jersey, GB
Two rare letters from the 100 Years War, carried by Royal Messenger The two letters relate to an English military success at Harfleur in 1440, towards the end of the 100 Years War (...
Paper
19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
Bronze
Important Teddy Roosevelt Letter of June, 1911
By Theodore Roosevelt
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very important Teddy Roosevelt Letter of June 1911 . On ‘The Outlook’ letterhead. Typed and personally signed and amended by President Theodore Roosevelt. Dated June 2...
Paper
Set of Old Books from 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Set of old bound books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These beautiful books are perfect to fill a nice library. Sizes may vary.
Leather, Paper
$67
H 18 in W 18 in D 2 in
Bespoke Custom Vintage Original Letters, Retro, Shop, Sign, Reclaimed, Signage
Located in Bath, Somerset
We're sure we don't need to spell it out how fantastic these vintage letters are! Most of them were salvaged from an old disused letter making factory in England along with some fab...
Metal
$3,950
H 25.5 in W 30.5 in D 1.5 in
Norman Rockwell Signed Typed Letter with Studio Photograph, Dated March 20, 1950
By Norman Rockwell
Located in San Diego, CA
A remarkable and deeply personal signed letter by legendary American illustrator and painter Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), dated March 20, 1950, professionally framed together with a ...
Wood, Paper
Letter signed by the Count of Floridablanca – 1786
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare historical document: handwritten letter signed in 1786 by José Moñino y Redondo, better known as the Count of Floridablanca, a prominent 18th-century Spanish political figure an...
Paper
$9,500
H 24 in W 18.5 in D 1.25 in
"Postscript to The Massachusetts Spy" May 5, 1774 with Boston Tea Party Coverage
By Isaiah Thomas
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented here is a rare printed Postscript to The Massachusetts Spy, or Thomas’s Boston Journal, issued in Boston on May 5, 1774. Founded by Isaiah Thomas and Zechariah Fowle in 177...
Paper
Antique Architectural Bank Building Bronze "No" Letters
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic cast bronze vintage letters. Great way to get your point across! Salvaged from a bank building in the midwest. Great patinated bronze surface. Very substantial and solid le...
Bronze
Large stylized Cast aLUMINUM Letters "N Y" Gold Patina
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large stylized Cast aLUMINUM Letters "N Y" (NEW YORK) Gold Patina .. Possibly Gold gilt?
Aluminum
Framed Letter from the 1880s
Located in Queens, NY
Original 1880 William E Chandler letter to the Washington Post in a brown rectangular wooden frame and beige matting.
Important Teddy Roosevelt Letter of January 1918
By Theodore Roosevelt
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very important Teddy Roosevelt letter of January 1918. On ‘Sagamore Hill’ letterhead. Fully handwritten and personally signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. Date...
Paper
$440Sale Price|41% Off
H 15.5 in W 14 in D 6.75 in
Antique Pike and Elliman English Brass Scale on Wood Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pike and Elliman brass shop scale, dating to the 1880's. Nice original condition. Class b to weigh up to 12oz. Stamped on brass tray pike & E 14 new, 32 Gi char oite st. Sits on orig...
Brass
Presidential Seal with Calvin Coolidge Signed Document
Located in Houston, TX
Signed document signed by Calvin Coolidge with an attached president seal. There is a photo of Calvin Coolidge on top of the document. The second signature is by Frank Kellogg. The w...
Paper
Highly Important Theodore Roosevelt Collection of 6 Items
By Theodore Roosevelt
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A HUGELY IMPORTANT, EXCEPTIONALLY RARE and FULLY AUTHENTIC COLLECTION of 6 Items pertaining to President Theodore Roosevelt, that have never been outside family ownership,...
Paper
Collection of Five Old German Labels from 1959-1969
Located in Highwood, IL
Collection of (5) old German wine labels, beginning with a 1959 Rheinpfalz, up to a 1969 Wintricher Shligsberg.
Paper
$19,500
H 12 in W 10 in D 1 in
White House: a Historic Guide, Inscribed by Jack and Jackie Kennedy, 1962
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: PEARCE, Mrs. John N. (John & Jacqueline Kennedy). TITLE: The White House: A Historic Guide. PUBLISHER: WDC: White House Historical Association, 1962. DESCRIPTION: I...
Leather
$438,795
H 70.87 in W 125.99 in D 2.17 in
Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.
Located in London, GB
This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armour...
Other
$368,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 104 in W 45 in D 6 in
104" Historic Tiffany Window "Crusader", a Warrior Knight, after Mantegna c1890
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Big Flats, NY
Magnificent historic Tiffany Studios framed window, "Crusader", a Warrior Knight, after the 1460 work by Italian Renaissance painter Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506). Incorporating a harm...
Stained Glass
$187,500
H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in
Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...
Glass, Mahogany
$386,400Sale Price|30% Off
H 36 in W 106 in D 40 in
Original Historic Hand Made 9 Strand Square Pretzel Rattan Sofa By Paul T Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Extremely rare, museum-quality nine-strand square pretzel square-back four-seat sofa was designed by Paul T. Frankl in 1934 using the highest-quality rattan poles and reeds available...
Wicker, Rattan
$15,666
H 109 in W 52.6 in D 8 in
Impressive Antique Hand Carved Oak Gothic Revival Door Complete with Wall Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning Gothic architectural door with strong iron hardware in original frame. This striking and all hand carved door was originally probably part of a church or monastery and the ...
Iron
$63,000Sale Price|30% Off
H 132 in W 81.5 in D 25 in
Monumental Rare Antique Renaissance Revival Gothic Walnut Fireplace Mantel 11 FT
Located in Dayton, OH
Very large and exceedingly rare English Renaissance Revival fireplace mantel, circa 1860s. Made of hand carved walnut featuring a gothic cathedral design. The fireplace portion is ...
Walnut
$6,335Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 32 in W 76 in D 38 in
Restored Rattan 3/4 Pretzel Arm 3 Piece Living Room Set
Located in Van Nuys, CA
3 piece living room set of restored rattan furniture. A 3/4 pretzel arm sofa that is made up of 3 pieces and 3 seats and has a stacked rattan base, a 3/4 pretzel adjustable lounge ch...
Rattan
Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior.
Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.
And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.
The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.
Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.
Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.
Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.
Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
It’s never too early for good design. These interiors combine elevated furnishings and a youthful spirit, resulting in spaces that are at once elegant and whimsical.
Produced in 1843, the well-preserved volume is evidence of the author's exacting specifications.
New or old, the coverlets add old-time charm to any space.
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.