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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Color:  Beige
House & Garden’s Complete Guide to Interior Decoration, Hardcover Book, 1953
Located in Philadelphia, PA
House & Garden’s Complete Guide to Interior Decoration – Hardcover Book, 1953 Edition. First published in New York in 1947 by Simon and Schuster, this is the updated 1953 Edition,...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Marble Chess Board
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Category

1980s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

Early 20th c. "Portfolio of Anatomical Manikins" Book c.1932 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original anatomical book with vivid illustration of the human body. Tan printed wrappers. Contains twelve full page and full-color anatomical illustrations, all are brigh...
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Early 20th Century American Industrial Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Trophy Moose Rack
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Trophy Yukon taxidermy moose rack with large palms. Natural golden brown. 55"W x 35"H protrudes 24". Perfect for any cabin, lodge or great room. Period: C...
Category

2010s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler

Blair, Robert 'William Blake', The Grave, a Poem - First Edition 1808
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: BLAIR, Robert (William Blake). TITLE: The Grave, A Poem. PUBLISHER: London, T. Bensley, 1808. DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION. 1 vol., 13-7/8" x 11-3/8", Frontispiece po...
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Early 1800s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Pair of Solid B&W Telescopic Speakers, 1980
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Pair of solid B&W telescopic speakers - Circa 1980 Adjustable Very rare and excellent sound Measures: H 60 x D 20 cm.
Category

1980s European Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Liquidation of The Entire Stock of The NY Store of Yamanaka & Co., 1944, Cat. #1
Located in valatie, NY
Parke-Bernet Galleries Catalog, By Order of the Alien Property Custodian of the United States, Liquidation of The Entire Stock of The New York Store of Yamanaka & Co. Inc., Oriental Art, Part One, New York, 1944, 190 pages. with 939 lots. One of the three catalogues of the auctions held at the Parke Bernet Galleries in 1944. Lots included graeco buddhist, Cambodian, Siamese and Chinese sculptures and bronzes, Chinese porcelains, pottery, jade, coral carvings, pearl necklaces, Chinese paintings, lamps and screens, Chinese and Japanese furniture. The Yamanaka Company was owned by the seventh generation of the family of Ichaguro Yamanaka, who founded this worldwide business by opening a small curio...
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1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

New Map of North America from the Latest Discoveries, 1763
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique 18th century map of the North American seaboard. Entitled "A New Map of North America from the Latest Discoveries 1763". By the Cartographer/Engraver - John Spil...
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Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Warhol on Basquiat, the Iconic Relationship Told in Andy Warhol’s Words. Book
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s complex relationship captivated the art world then and now. At a time when Warhol was already world famous and the elder statesman of New York cool, Basquiat was a downtown talent rising rapidly from the graffiti scene. Together, they forged an electrifying personal and professional partnership. As a prolific documentarian of his own world, Warhol extensively photographed and wrote of his friendship with Basquiat, all played against the backdrop of 1980s Downtown New York City. It reveals not only the emotional depth of their relationship but also its ambiguities, extremities, and complexities. Produced in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s estate, this book chronicles the duo’s relationship in hundreds of previously unpublished photographs of Basquiat along with a dynamic cast of characters from Madonna to Grace Jones, Keith Haring to Fela Kuti. The shots are accompanied by entries from the legendary Andy Warhol Diaries...
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Late 20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Printed in North Korea The Art of Everyday Life in the DPRK
Located in New York City, NY
Never-before-seen North Korea - a rare glimpse into the country behind the politics and the creativity behind the propaganda This incredible collection of prints dating from the 1950s to the twenty-first century is the only one of its kind in or outside North Korea. Depicting the everyday lives of the country's train conductors, steelworkers, weavers, farmers, scientists, and fishermen, these unique lino-cut and woodblock prints are a fascinating way to explore the culture of this still virtually unknown country. Together, they are an unparalleled testament to the talent of North Korea's artists and the unique social, cultural, and political conditions in which they work. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nicholas Bonner studied landscape architecture in the UK. During a study trip to China in 1993 he visited North Korea, and subsequently set up Beijing-based Koryo Tours, specializing in tourism to the DPRK. Since 2001, Bonner has produced three documentaries and a feature film on North Korea. He is the author of Phaidon's bestselling Made in North Korea.
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21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Trouble and Strife, David Bailey, J.H. Lartigue, 1st Edition, T&H, 1980
Located in London, GB
First Edition, published by Thames & Hudson, London, 1980. Best known for his portraiture and fashion photographs of 1960s London, which shaped how this period is remembered and envisaged, David Bailey turns in this book to a more personal subject for a selection of brilliantly creative, playful and devoted photographs of his then-wife, Marie Helvin. With 81 plates, beautifully printed in duotone, these black and white, intimate, nude photographs are stylish, sensual and frank records of a relationship; diaristic and taken with the care that shows them to be, as Bailey says of them, "photographs I take for myself". Easily standing among Bailey's best work, this photobook has an introduction from the artist Brian Clarke...
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1980s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Jannis Kounellis 'Phaidon Contemporary Artists Series'
Located in New York City, NY
The ultimate monograph on one of the most important artists of the twentieth century - a key figure in Arte Povera This book is the final, most comprehensive book ever made by Greek-born Jannis Kounellis, one of the key artists in the Arte Povera movement. Following his breakthrough in the late 1960s in Rome, when he questioned the traditionally sterile environment of the gallery by exhibiting live animals within its walls, Kounellis went on to include diverse materials in his work, including fire, earth, gold, wood, and charcoal, quickly establishing himself as one of the most innovative sculptors of our time. Writings by the artist and a collection of tributes from people who have known and worked with him over the years, such as Pierre Audi, David Hammons, Gloria Moure, Giulio Paolini, Vassili Vassilikos, and many others, are included. Jannis Kounellis is the latest addition to the acclaimed Phaidon Contemporary Artists Series...
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21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of Persia, Afghanistan and Balochistan, 1859
Located in Langweer, NL
The antique map titled "Persia, Afghanistan and Beloochistan" is a remarkable historical document originating from 'The Imperial Atlas of Modern Geography', published by W. G. Blacki...
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Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Sotheby's Art at Auction, 1994-95: the Art Market Review 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's Art at Auction, 1994-95: The Art Market Review 1st Ed. Published by Sotheby Parke Bernet, NY, 1996. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. Numerou...
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1990s Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Anni & Josef Albers Equal and Unequal Book
Located in New York City, NY
A spectacular and unprecedented visual biography of the leading pioneers and protagonists of modern art and design Josef - painter, designer, and teacher - and Anni Albers - texti...
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21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Lux Mini Hoops by Moniomi, Square Hand-Crafted Marble Basketball Hoop
Located in Miami, FL
These wall-mounted basketball hoops combine marble, onyx, copper and hand-woven cotton thread to pay homage to the ancient elements of their inspiratio...
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21st Century and Contemporary Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Copper

Lady Gaga by Terry Richardson Large Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Lady Gaga X Terry Richardson large hardcover book. Large Print, November 22, 2011 About the Author Lady Gaga came to prominence following the relea...
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20th Century American Expressionist Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Book L'Utopie du tout plastique, 1960-1973, Norma Editions
Located in FERROL, ES
L'Utopie du tout plastique, 1960-1973 book. Norma Editions. Edition by Philippe Decelle, Diane Hennebert and Pierre Loze. Year 1994. Foundation pour l'architecture, Brussels. ...
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1990s Belgian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Ceramic Peacock Bird Sculpture with Flowers in Blue, Yellow and Green
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pretty brightly painted ceramic sculpture of a peacock. This piece depicts a bird with bright blue yellow and green features, perched upon a tree stump ...
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Brooch by Line Vautrin, Beige Talosel Encrusted with Amber Mirrors
Located in Brussels, BE
This beige Talosel brooch is a unique piece of jewelry that perfectly captures the aesthetic characteristic of Line Vautrin’s work. It is adorned with small amber colored mirrors, which are intricately embedded in the beige Talosel to create a luminous and textured effect that catches the eye. The circular shape of the brooch recalls the organic and natural themes very present in the creations of Line Vautrin, the small square mirrors artistically arranged recall the meticulous attention to detail that Line Vautrin had for her many works. The Talosel has been carefully sculpted by scarification to create perfect harmony with the amber mirrors...
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Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mirror, Talosel

London, Tony Armstrong Jones 'Lord Snowdon', 1st Edition, 2nd Printing, 1958
Located in London, GB
Scarce First Edition, Second Issue Cover, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1958. The first ever photography book by the famed society and fashion photographer Tony Armstrong Jones...
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1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Sotheby's Sale Catalog, James Naismith's Founding Rules of Basketball, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's Sale Catalog, James Naismith's Founding Rules of Basketball. Sotheby's New York, December 2010. Auction catalog for single item sale of an ori...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Large 1950s Vintage Scientific Anatomical Human 3D Educational Eye Eyeball Model
Located in Lafayette, IN
1950's Vintage scientific human 3d eyeball model. Hand-painted with wonderful original patina!
Category

1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rubber

Sotheby's, The Estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Softcover, New in Wrapper
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's; The Estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. New York: Sotheby's, 1996. First edition softcover, new in wrapper. 584 pages. A catalogue of the Sotheby's auction for the estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Pieces include Jack Kennedy's oak rocking chair, a study for the White House portrait of Jackie, a collection of Lettuce Ware...
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Late 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Jane Peterson Autograph with Magazine Article
Located in valatie, NY
Jane Peterson Autograph with Magazine Article. July 1943 Americana Illustrated Volume XXXVII, Number 3. This was a publication of "The American Historical Company," New York City. Wi...
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1940s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Elton John Sotheby's Sale 1988 Four-Volume Catalogue(Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This is the 4 volume set of sales catalogues produced by Sotheby's for the Elton John sale in 1988. The collection is amazing and the stage costumes and glasses are probably as expec...
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20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

20th Century British Caledonian Dc10 Fibre Glass Airplane Model, c.1970
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Stunning 20th century British Caledonian DC10 aircraft model, this wide body aircrafts became available for global travel in the early 1970's. Condition In good condition - just ...
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20th Century British Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Sotheby's, the Collection of Patricia Kluge
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's, the collection of Patricia Kluge. Charlottesville: Sotheby's, 2010. Softcover. 617 pp. The single-owner sale of the contents of Pat Kluge's E...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Hermès Paris, "La Promenade De Longchamps" Square in Printed Silk
Located in Madrid, ES
Description HERMÈS Paris, "La Promenade de Longchamps" square in printed silk twill Square in silk twill printed on a light yellow ba...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silk

PH Grand Piano Vintage Model '1935-1938' by Poul Henningsen, Modern, Sculptural
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This PH Grand Piano, serial number 4600, was manufactured between 1935 and 1938. It is an excellent-conditioned vintage instrument that has been careful...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Chrome

Gilt Framed Vintage French Cote De Beaune Wine Region Poster 1972
Located in Alton, GB
Framed Cote De Beaune region wine map from 1972. The print has been removed to clean the glass, the frame has minor damage in places but nothing that de...
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1970s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Hand Colored Framed Map of Europe
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique reproduction copied from an edition dated 1595 by Ortelius.
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Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Curtis Jere Brass Ship Sculpture, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Curtis Jere brass ship sculpture, signed. This ship sculpture by Curtis Jere is welded and has a rare box frame.
Category

1970s Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage Golf Print, Come to Britain for Golf by Roland Hilder
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage golfing travel poster, 'Come to Britain for Golf' by Roland Hilder. A striking golfing poster by Rowland Hilder entitled 'Come to Bri...
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1950s British Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Art at Auction: The Year at Sotheby's 1981-1982, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Art at Auction : The Year at Sotheby's 1981-1982. Published by Sotheby Parke Bernet, 1982. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. This annual reference work provides a view of the year's...
Category

1980s English Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Italian Mid-Century Modern Professional Chess Board with Pawns, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Professional chess board with pawns, 1980s Professional chessboard in metal, wood and plastic. The game board measures 37.5 x 37.5 cm and the single box measures 4.37 x 4.37 cm. The ...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage Music Drum, 1970’s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Vintage music drum, made in the 70’s in Czechoslovakia. It was originally originally part of a drum kit. In good Vintage condition. Measures: Height: 46 cm...
Category

Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Vintage Nautical Signal Flag in Frame
Located in Norwell, MA
Framed maritime signal flag representing “SUBSTITUTE 1” in the international code of signals. This authentic and ocean used pennant is made of individual panels of yellow and blue. F...
Category

1950s Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Cotton

Chelsea & Other English Porcelain Pottery & Enamel in the Irwin Untermyer Coll
Located in valatie, NY
Chelsea and Other English Porcelain Pottery and Enamel in the Irwin Untermyer Collection by Yvonne Hackenbroch. Published in London for The Metropolitan Museum of History and Art by ...
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1950s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Act for Preventing Frauds and Abuses in His Majesty's Customs 1662
Located in Jersey, GB
Act for Preventing Frauds and Abuses in His Majesty's Customs 1662. Publisher: London : Printed by John Bill and Christopher Barker, printers to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty. First edition: Very good condition for its age other than some wear to spine. Customs act 1662: Ten-line decorated initial on first page. Royal arms on cover title page: approximately 8 x 6.5 cm. Crawford arms 66. See Crawford, J.L.L. Bibliography of royal proclamations of the Tudor and Stuart sovereigns and of others published under authority, 1485-1714, II, page 511. Public General Acts. 1662. 14 Car.II.c.11. "Anno regni Caroli II. Regis Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, & Hiberniae, decimo quarto. At the Parliament begun at Westminster, the eighth day...
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1660s Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

J. Kohle Pforzheim, German silver lock with Pearls Necklace
Located in Delft, NL
J. Kohle Pforzheim, German silver lock with Pearls Necklace Pearls on double strand necklace with silver (835/1000) closure with a hook lock on a round crown-shaped clasp with pearl...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Set of Two Early 20th Century Large Dutch Marine Red White and Blue Metal Buoys
Located in Haarlem, NL
Set of two very decorative handmade and hand painted antique large early 1920s Dutch marine metal buoys. They are diamond or biconical shaped, and painted i...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron, Metal

John Kidgell, the Card, 1755, First Ed, the Earliest Known Mention of Baseball
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: KIDGELL (John) TITLE: The Card. PUBLISHER: London: for the Maker & sold by J. Newberry, 1755. DESCRIPTION: FIRST AND ONLY EDITION. 2 vols., 6-5/8" x 4-1/4", hand col...
Category

1750s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Dutch Kolf Print, Winter, Golf Engraving
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Dutch golf engraving by J. Boydell, Winter. Rare 18th century Dutch golf engraving by J. Boydell depicting Dutchman playing the early form of golf on the ice, titled 'Winter'. The s...
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18th Century Dutch Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Art Deco Two English Pottery Glass Eyed Dog Figures
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Two delightful English Art Deco pottery novelty dog figures with glass eyes made by Fielding’s and Crown Devon and dating from the 1930’s. The small figures portray two small puppy d...
Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Dickens-Life & Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby-1st Ed Bound from the Parts
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
Author: Dickens, Charles Title: The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Publisher: London: Bradbury & Evans, 1839. Description: first edition bound from the parts. 1 v...
Category

1830s British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Atlas Miller, One-Time Only Limited Facsimile Edition of the Atlas of 1519
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This is a unique facsimile reproduction limited to 987 copies of an atlas from the Renaissance, the Atlas Miller, devised as a present from Manuel I of Portugal to fool Emperor Charl...
Category

Early 2000s Portuguese Renaissance Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Missoni Deluxe Edition
Located in New York, NY
A celebration of the unmistakable Missoni style, whose innovative approach mixes bold color, pattern, and material with an extraordinary sense of balance and elegance. This is the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Sotheby's Property from Collection of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, London Residence
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's property from the collection of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman The London Residence New York 4/28/10 Sale 8625. First edition softcover. One of the greatest collections of 18th c ...
Category

2010s American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Denby Pottery Tennis, Rackets Lemonade Jug, c. 1890
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Tennis-themed Lemonade Jug. A rare "Denby" pottery tennis themed lemonade jug. The tennis ceramic has an applied panel decorated, in relief, with two crossed lawn tennis rackets, three balls and a lawn tennis net...
Category

1890s British Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Map of Switzerland by N. Visscher, circa 1690
Located in Langweer, NL
Beautifully detailed map of Switzerland and surrounding regions in present-day France, Germany, and Italy. This map features two decorative cartouches: the larger is flanked by two p...
Category

Late 17th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique 18th Century Map of the Province of Pensilvania 'Pennsylvania State'
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique of the colony of Pennsylvania. Noted at the top of the sheet as a 'Map of the province of Pensilvania'. This undated and anonymous map is thought to be from the Gentleman's Magazine, London, circa 1775, although the general appearance could date it to the 1760's. The southern boundary reflects the Mason-Dixon survey (1768), the western boundary is placed just west of Pittsburgh, and the northern boundary is not marked. The map has a number of reference points that likely refer to companion text and appear to be connected to boundaries. The western and southern boundaries are marked Q, R, S, for example. A diagonal line runs from the Susquehanna R to the Lake Erie P. A broken line marked by many letters A, B, N, O, etc., appears in the east. There are no latitude or longitude markings, blank verso. Framed in a shaped contemporary gilt wooden frame and matted under a cream colored matte. Bearing an old Graham Arader Gallery...
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18th Century British American Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Historic Revolutionary War Period Bed Warming Pan
Located in Nantucket, MA
An important and historic revolutionary war period bed warming pan, belonging to Lieutenant James Porter, Jr., circa 1770s-1780s. A hand chased brass w...
Category

1770s American American Colonial Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Antique Rowing Print, Cambridge University
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Cambridge preparing for the boat race. A wonderful atmospheric rowing lithograph of the Cambridge crew getting into a rowing scull preparing for a race....
Category

1890s British Sporting Art Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

1889 North Dakota 39 Star United States of America Statehood Flag
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
39 star silk statehood flag. 23 1/2" x 15". Was the unofficial North Dakota Flag. As South Dakota was also admitted as the 40th state on the same day this...
Category

1880s American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silk

Harbor & Home: Furniture of Southeastern Massachusetts, 1710-1850 by Brock Jobe
Located in valatie, NY
Harbor & Home: Furniture of Southeastern Massachusetts, 1710-1850 by Brock Jobe, Gary R Sullivan and Jack O'Brien. Publisher; University Press of New England, 2009. Hardcover with du...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The Decorative Arts of The Mariner by Gervis Frere-Cook, Stated 1st American Ed
Located in valatie, NY
The Decorative Arts Of The Mariner by Gervis Frere-Cook. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, (1966). Profusely illustrated. Seventeen authorities have...
Category

1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale

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.

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