North Dakota’s history stretches back thousands of years to the Indigenous peoples who established communities across the northern Great Plains. Its vast prairies and Missouri River valley influenced patterns of settlement and trade, while agriculture and energy production became central to the state’s economy. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, North Dakota’s history and cultural traditions offer much to discover.

A Brief History of the Roughrider State

The first people came to North Dakota more than 10,000 years ago, following big game like mammoths and giant bison as the glaciers retreated from the Great Plains. Over time, the region became home to many Native American tribes. They can be generally divided into two main groups: nomadic hunters like the Dakota, Assiniboine, and Cheyenne; and primarily agricultural societies like the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara.

The permanent settlements of agricultural societies allowed them to develop major trading centers. The Mandan, who lived along the Missouri River, were especially well known for their trading society. French fur trader Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye, was the first documented European to reach present-day North Dakota and made contact with the Mandan in 1738. They were trading with European powers by the end of the century.

Not all contact was peaceful. North Dakota was an important location in the American Indian Wars, fought during the 19th century as the United States pressured Native Americans to cede more and more of their land. Congress established Dakota Territory in 1861. The next year, following years of broken treaties, land losses, and withheld payments and food, the Dakota people attacked white settlements along the Minnesota River, resulting in the Dakota War of 1862, which took place primarily in Minnesota.

In 1868, the Treaty of Fort Laramie established the Great Sioux Reservation. Separate congressional actions reduced Dakota Territory to approximately the present-day Dakotas. From the 1870s to the 1880s, the region experienced the Dakota Boom as newly built railroads brought in enormous numbers of settlers who established an agricultural economy. While many of these settlers came from the eastern United States, immigrants from Germany, Russia, Scandinavia, and the British Isles became a significant part of the territory’s population, which grew by more than a thousand percent from 1860 to 1880.

The Dakota Territory was admitted into the Union as two states, North and South Dakota, on November 2, 1889, following passage of the Enabling Act earlier that year. It is said that, because of a rivalry between the northern and southern halves of the territory, President Benjamin Harrison had the proclamation papers shuffled before he signed them so no one would know which state was admitted first.

Wheat farming remained one of the most important industries in North Dakota. The agricultural sector is a significant part of its economy today, and the state is the leading U.S. producer of several types of grains and oilseeds. The discovery of petroleum reserves in the 20th century encouraged the energy industry. Today, North Dakota continues producing coal, oil, and natural gas, but renewable energy is a growing industry, with the Great Plains particularly suited to wind power. Tourism is another major industry, with visitors enjoying the state’s natural beauty and sites for outdoor sports. Its history, celebrated with sites like the Lewis and Clark Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and Wild West–themed attractions, is another significant draw, and current events like rodeos and Native American powwows keep historic traditions alive.

Honoring the 250th

North Dakota’s ND250 commission brings the state’s slogan, “Be Legendary,” to the national celebration of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout 2026, state agencies and the North Dakota Tourism Division are providing educational resources, promoting events, and encouraging celebrations of North Dakota’s history and culture and their place in American history. Visitors and residents alike are invited to visit the state’s many historical sites, scenic byways, parks, and museums to immerse themselves in Native American culture, pioneer history, and Western experiences and see how these people, their stories, and the land they lived on helped shape the American spirit.

The grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, on July 4, 2026, was part of North Dakota’s semiquincentennial celebrations. Called a “New Yorker by birth, North Dakotan by choice” by the official website of the State of North Dakota, President Roosevelt’s love of adventure and contributions to conservation make him one of the state’s favorite figures. Located just outside Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the library encourages visitors to take advantage of local outdoor activities as well as enjoy its plentiful exhibits and resources.

Collecting North Dakota

For centuries, the many Native American groups that call North Dakota home have produced objects for use or trade, from prehistoric flint tools to beautiful Plains beadwork, that are sought by collectors. Today, many of North Dakota’s contemporary Native American artists draw on traditional forms and reimagine their history in their work.

A Note to Collectors: When purchasing Native American art and handcrafted goods, buy directly from Native artists and artisans whenever possible, or from reputable dealers who can document an item’s authenticity and provenance. Collectors should never remove artifacts, including projectile points and other stone tools, from archaeological sites on federal or tribal lands without authorization. Such activities may violate the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA). Be cautious of objects marketed as Native American-made without reliable attribution, and remember that federal law prohibits misrepresenting products as Indian-made under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

North Dakota’s local clays provided plenty of raw material for art potters in the late 19th to early 20th century. The North Dakota School of Mines, established at the University of North Dakota in 1898, created a ceramics course in 1910. Early pieces are marked “U.N.D.” Up to the mid-20th century, they were stamped with the university’s full name. After 1963, they are marked with students’ names.

From about 1936 to the early 1940s, the University of North Dakota collaborated on a pottery program at the Belcourt School on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. Students produced both decorative and functional pottery, including tableware, that was marketed nationally. Pieces can be recognized by the mark “Turtle Mountain” or a distinctive turtle and mountain motif. Because the program did not last long, they are very rare.

Another well-known North Dakota pottery, Rosemeade, was established as Wahpeton Pottery in 1940 and changed its name in 1953. It made vases, figures, and novelty items like figural salt and pepper shakers, many of which take the forms of North Dakota plants, animals, landmarks, and other icons. The pottery closed in 1985.

Promotional pieces, labels, and packaging from North Dakota’s many industries are sought by collectors of vintage advertising. A collection specializing in an industry like agriculture, petroleum, or food production can include advertising signs, promotional items, and product packaging associated with North Dakota businesses.

State parks, natural features, historic sites, and contemporary culture have brought tourists to North Dakota for decades. Souvenirs are always sought as collectibles, from postcards to pennants, and vintage ones are even more desirable. Even vintage road signs can be collectible.

Looking Ahead: North Dakota’s America 250 Calendar Highlights

October 21–November 1, 2026 — Haunted Museum at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum

A North Dakota spin on Halloween festivities transforms museum galleries into a spooky adventure starring figures from regional folklore and history.

November 12–25, 2026 — America the Beautiful: Our Natural Wonders Film Screening at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

Screening of a film celebrating America’s natural beauty and the parks that preserve it.

November 27–28 and December 4–5, 2026 — Dickens Village Festival in Garrison

The “Christmas Capital of North Dakota” transforms into a Victorian town for a family festival with activities, food, and craft vendors, carriage rides, parades, live performances, and more.

Explore More America at 250:

America at 250: North Carolina, The Tar Heel State

America at 250: New York, The Empire State

America at 250: New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment

America at 250: New Jersey: The Garden State

America at 250: New Hampshire: The Granite State

America at 250: Nevada: The Silver State

America at 250: Nebraska: The Cornhusker State

America at 250: Montana: The Treasure State

America at 250: Missouri: The Show-Me State

America at 250: Mississippi: The Magnolia State

America at 250: Michigan – The Great Lakes State

America at 250: Massachusetts: The Bay State

America at 250: Maryland’s Chesapeake Heritage

America at 250: Maine’s Enduring Traditions

America at 250: The Legacy of Louisiana

America at 250: Kentucky’s Bourbon, Bluegrass, and the Kentucky Derby

America at 250: Kansas, the Sunflower State

America at 250: Iowa, the History and Heritage of the Hawkeye State

America at 250: Indiana, the Crossroads of America

America at 250: Illinois, the Prairie State

America at 250: Idaho’s Hidden (and Not-So-Hidden) Gems

America at 250: Hawaii’s Aloha Spirit

America at 250: Guam’s Cultural Legacy in the Pacific

America at 250: Georgia’s Craft, Commerce, and Cultural Influence

America at 250: Florida’s Diverse Heritage

America at 250: Delaware’s First State Heritage

America at 250: Connecticut’s Colonial Craft and Industry

America at 250: Colorado’s Land and Living Traditions

America at 250: California’s Golden State Traditions

America at 250: Arkansas’s Ozark Traditions

America at 250: Arizona’s Traditions Shaped by the Southwest

America at 250: American Samoa’s Enduring Island Traditions

America at 250: Alaska’s Living Indigenous Heritage

America at 250: Alabama’s Hand-Shaped Heritage

The post America at 250: North Dakota, the Roughrider State appeared first on Antique Trader.

Before rubber wedges and spring-loaded door holders became commonplace, heavy cast-iron doorstops kept doors from swinging shut. By the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, manufacturers were turning these everyday objects into decorative accents, producing everything from flowers and animals to fashionable figures and charming cottages.

Decorative cast-iron doorstops became especially popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Companies such as Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, produced colorful designs that appealed to homeowners then and collectors today.

1. Hubley’s Bathing Beauties

Two fashionable women relax beneath a colorful beach umbrella in this whimsical cast-iron doorstop attributed to designer Anne Harriet Fish. Produced by Hubley, the Art Deco-era design captures the playful spirit of the late 1920s. The example features Fish’s signature on the base and the model number 250 on the reverse.

Examples have brought a range of prices, including $250 in November 2025 and $484 in 2023.

2. Boston Terrier

With its alert ears, compact body, and black-and-white coloring, this cast-iron Boston Terrier has plenty of personality. Dogs were popular subjects for decorative doorstops, and collectors still find recognizable breeds appealing.

Despite considerable paint wear, this example sold for $125 through Redlands Antique Auction on June 13, 2026.

3. Basket of Flowers

Not every collectible doorstop features an animal or figure. Floral designs brought color into the home, and this cast-iron basket overflows with yellow, blue, and white blossoms beneath an arched handle.

Measuring approximately 8¾ inches tall, the unmarked example was offered on Chairish for $125. The seller describes its paint as original.

4. Dairy Cow

A black-and-white dairy cow stands before a fence in this substantial cast-iron doorstop, measuring approximately 14 inches wide. Its painted details and elaborate base make it an eye-catching example of the farm animals that appeared in household decorative ironwork.

The piece was offered on Chairish for $751, an asking price rather than a recorded sale.

5. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

With its thatched roof, three chimneys, and colorful garden, Hubley’s Anne Hathaway’s Cottage doorstop resembles a miniature storybook house. Inspired by the English cottage associated with William Shakespeare’s wife, the design brought a touch of Old World charm into American homes.

A circa-1930s example measuring approximately 8⅜ inches wide sold for $250 on June 28, 2026.

6. The Fashionable Lady

Standing 12 inches tall, this stylish cast-iron woman wears a long coat and fashionable hat, her hands resting confidently on her hips. The figure is marked “E.G.M., Toledo, Ohio,” providing a clue to its manufacture.

The doorstop sold for $300 through Redlands Antique Auction on September 14, 2024, exceeding its $50–$200 estimate.

7. Tropical Birds

Brightly painted birds brought an exotic touch to decorative doorstops. This group of three cast-iron birds includes two cockatoos and a colorful parrot, each standing approximately 8 to 9 inches tall.

The trio sold together for $275 through Redlands Antique Auction on August 29, 2020. That price was for all three birds, not an individual doorstop.

8. English Setter

Sporting dogs were another natural choice for decorative cast iron. This English Setter stands with its head raised and tail extended, its graceful silhouette suggesting a dog alert to something just beyond view.

Described by the seller as a 1930s Hubley cast-metal doorstop or figurine, the well-worn example sold for $57.60 through Bunting Online Auctions on December 26, 2025.

9. Krazy Cat

With enormous green eyes, pointed ears, a red nose, and a dramatically curled tail, this cast-iron cat looks ready to leap into a cartoon. The auction listing calls it “Krazy Cat,” although a connection to George Herriman’s famous comic-strip character has not been established.

The wonderfully expressive doorstop sold for $197.06 through CTBIDS.com on May 29, 2026.

10. Santa Claus

Who says doorstops can’t be festive? This mid-century cast-iron Santa Claus head features a bright red cap, rosy cheeks, blue eyes, and an extravagantly curly white beard.

Dating to the 1960s, according to the seller, the 8-inch-tall doorstop was offered on Chairish for $75. It’s a cheerful reminder that collectible doorstops aren’t limited to the early twentieth century.

Antique and vintage doorstops offer collectors plenty of personality. And unlike many collectibles, these durable remnants of yesteryear are still perfectly capable of doing the job they were made for.

See More Cast Iron Cuties:

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Collectors chase cast iron advertising Pups

The post 10 Antique and Vintage Door Stops Collectors Will Love appeared first on Antique Trader.

On April 9, 2025, the FBI raided the Miami Fine Art Gallery in Coconut Grove, Florida, and arrested its owner, Leslie Roberts. The gallery specialized in modern and contemporary art; Andy Warhol was a favorite artist. But according to accusations, some of its recent high-profile sales were forgeries. On October 15, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida released a statement reporting that Roberts had been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.

Real estate investor Richard Pearlman and his family were customers of the Coconut Grove gallery from 2023 to 2024, where they spent millions of dollars on Andy Warhol prints. After experts began to suspect the works the Pearlman family had purchased were fakes, they sued Roberts and other art dealers. The suit was settled, but Roberts was charged with related wire fraud.

Roberts claimed that he had acquired the artwork from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, using forged documents, fake invoices, and counterfeit stamps to make them appear authentic. He was assisted by Carlos Rodriguez Melendez, who, presenting as an employee of a New York auction company, falsely authenticated the artwork. Last year, Rodriguez Melendez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was sentenced to probation for his part in the scheme.

In addition to his prison sentence, Roberts must pay back the money he gained from selling the forgeries. According to AP News, this amounts to more than two million dollars.

Jason A. Reding Quiñones, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, stated that Roberts “turned his Miami art gallery into a vehicle for fraud” and “exploited the trust that collectors place in art dealers and the authenticity of the works they purchase.” He declared the message of the dealer’s sentence to be “fraud is fraud, whether it happens on Wall Street or in art gallery.”

Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office agrees. “Art fraud undermines confidence in the legitimate art market and victimizes buyers who rely on the authenticity of the works they purchase. This sentence demonstrates that those who use forged artwork, fraudulent documentation, and deceptive schemes to profit illegally will be held accountable.”

Justice is served:

Michigan Art Dealer, Who Scammed Seniors, Pleads Guilty to $1.5 Million Fraud

Sports Memorabilia Dealer Admits to $350M Collector Scam

What is Art? Turns Out, It’s Fake

The post Dealer who Sold Fake Art Gets Federal Prison Sentence appeared first on Antique Trader.

Cat brooches are always popular collectibles, from the most valuable Trifari figurals produced in the 1930s to cutesy 1960s versions that fit in perfectly with today’s “grandmacore” fashion aesthetic. I don’t totally get that trend, but to each their own, right? When it comes to feline jewelry this time of year, we start looking at some cats a little differently, namely those with an ebony coat. They go from being the object of superstition to spectacularly spooky, and wearing their likeness stirs a bit of Halloween magic.

Exploring that topic further, did you ever wonder how black cats became the focus of superstition in the first place? And have you heard about all the entertaining lore associated with them when it comes to Halloween? Delving into these fun facts about black felines makes learning about cat jewelry even more amusing.

How the Black Cat Became the Object of Superstition

One of the most widely spread superstitions regarding black cats is that it’s bad luck if one crosses your path. Maybe you’ve even known someone so devoted to that notion that they wouldn’t cross one of those lines at any cost. Those strong feelings against black cats weren’t always the norm; they evolved over thousands of years.

Cats were deities in ancient Egypt, so you may recall seeing Bastet in imagery or museum exhibits. Since she was depicted as a woman with a cat’s head, the god was viewed as one providing calm yet defensive power. Then there was Hecate, a Greek goddess of magic and witchcraft with a cat for a familiar, and she also kept one as a pet. Neither of them was viewed as worrisome at the time. In 1233, a pivot occurred. That’s when the Catholic church decreed that black cats were in cahoots with Satan, according to History.com.

Later, as witch hunts became a reality, affection between older women viewed as crones and animals became suspicious. Cats were seen as wicked not only because some of those women kept them as pets, but because of their nature to be more aloof than other creatures like dogs. Over time, that witch/cat association gravitated solely toward black cats. Like Hecate, witches were thought to be able to transform into cats as well.

Since black cats were supposedly witches posing as animals, pets doing their bidding, or even worse, the work of the devil, folklore suggests that’s how it became such an ominous sign if a black cat crossed one’s path. The superstition was so strong, in fact, that fearful church patrons would seek out a priest to pray for them and cleanse evil spirits.
Over time, the fear of witches has subsided, but black cats still get a bad rap sometimes, and a little tap on wood is necessary when superstitious individuals come across them.

Spooky Vintage Lore Associated with Black Cats

Some people also see the spooky association and mystical side of black cats and Halloween as being negative. I don’t view it that way. That’s mostly due to my love of vintage postcards, particularly Halloween ones. Many of them have charms and sayings—incantations, if you will—that can supposedly change the behavior of your beloved, and sometimes, even the felines they depict.

One of those colorful cards featuring “Hallowe’en Precautions” states, “Avoid grinning black cats, on full green moon, if your lover is true, he’ll come back soon…” Another from the “Charms of the Witching Hour” series produced in 1911 instructs, “At the witching hour hang a bell of gold round a cat’s neck and he’ll do what he’s told.” If it were only that easy to make a cat behave the way you want it to, not to mention the apple of your eye.

It also doesn’t hurt that costume jewelry designs by mother and daughter team B&M von Walhof mimic vintage Halloween decorations. Those are some of my personal favorites to wear.

Black Cats in Costume Jewelry

Queen Victoria helped turn the tide for the cat, keeping her Persians as pets, and they’ve been popular as housemates since then. Many cat owners collect brooches that remind them of their furry friends, but there are so many wonderful designer examples of costume jewelry that you don’t have to fancy cats as pets to own them.

Narrowing it down to black cats gets a bit trickier, but it’s not impossible to have a collection of just ebony beauties. Here are several categories to choose from:

• Plastics – Lea Stein offers many different variations of cat pins, including lots of black versions—both heads and full- bodied—made of laminated cellulose acetate. Some Bakelite black cats can be found as well.
• Enamels – Mexican silver by Margot De Taxco cat brooches have beautifully applied enamel work. Panetta, Trifari, Florenza, and a host of others also produced designs with black enameling and rhinestone accents.
• Natural Stones – Onyx serves as the perfect “body” stone for cat pins finished with silver or gold-look detailing like ears, whiskers, and tails. Even some antique pins made of Whitby jet are shaped like adorable black cats.
• Rhinestones – Beyond B&M von Walhof’s Halloween cleverness, Swarovski swan-marked rhinestone designs include an adorable black cat with an arched back, perfect for a spooktacular holiday. DeLizza & Elster (Juliana) also made a cute black cat figure that is on the list of many collectors.

These are just a few of the many examples of moderately priced black cat pins available to collect in the vintage marketplace. There are a few fine jewelry styles that sell in the thousands as well, if you’d prefer precious metals and gems. Not every collectible in this genre has to be expensive, however.

Cute black kitties are also available reasonably priced at thrift shops, flea markets, and garage sales. Children love cat pins, and some of the less expensive examples by J.J. and other plastic novelty pins make a sweet collection for a beginner. Keep that in mind as you’re out shopping this fall and, if you’re inspired, take a youngster in your life with you to help them search for fun collectibles like these. You might find one for yourself, too.

Pamela Wiggins Siegel has been buying, selling, and collecting costume jewelry for more than 30 years. She is the author of Warman’s Costume Jewelry (Krause Publications) and the co-founder of Costume Jewelry Collectors Int’l, an organization dedicated to hosting events and providing educational resources for collectors. Visit her online at www.chicantiques.com and www.cjci.co.

Find More Beautiful Baubles:

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Trifari’s Fantastic Figural Brooches

How to Identify Unmarked Costume Jewelry

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Home grocery delivery was already common by the late 19th century and remained popular in the early 20th century. It began to decline after World War II with the rise of suburbs and supermarkets, at least in the United States. The change wasn’t quite as drastic in Europe. This bicycle advertising Collins Chemist, which sold for £1,020 at a Bonhams auction, is one of the “trade” or “carrier” bicycles used in midcentury England. It was made by Leonard Gundle, who started making motorbikes in Birmingham in the 1920s and expanded into bicycles in the 1930s. After Gundle’s death in 1975, the company’s equipment was sold to Pashley Cycles, which is still operating in England.

Q&A

Q: My mother-in-law saved everything, and some things have come down to us that we have no idea what to do with. We are retired and downsizing but want to treat my father-in-law’s memorabilia with respect. We have his uniform with insignia, medal, correspondence between them when he was in the war, his training manuals to become a pilot, emergency maps, gas mask, etc., in the event he was shot down, crew and plane photos, a detailed scrapbook, and subsequent reunion materials with his bomber group. What should I do with all of this?

A: There are many collectors of World War II memorabilia. Some are reenactors who want authentic artifacts. If you are interested in selling your collection, there are auctions and dealers that specialize in military and historical items. World War II memorabilia sells well at general auctions, too. If you have any weapons, guns, knives, live ammunition, or anything that might explode, contact the appropriate local authorities for advice about safe handling and disposal.

You may want to consider donating your treasures to a museum, especially personal items like the photographs and scrapbook. A local museum or historical society in your father-in-law’s hometown may be interested in them. There are museums dedicated entirely to World War II, like the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and the WWII American Experience Museum in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Museums evaluate potential donations according to their collecting needs, so contact them before sending any items. An association for World War II veterans and their families may have further advice.

Q: My brother visited Russia several times in the 1990s. Every trip, he brought home small black lacquer boxes with elaborate pictures painted on them. They are quite pretty. Can you tell me about them and how they are made?

A: Small Russian lacquered boxes were first produced in the late 18th century. Many copies have been made. The four traditional centers of Russian lacquer miniature painting are Fedoskino, Palekh, Mstera, and Kholui. Paintings on Russian lacquer boxes often depict scenes from Russian fairy tales, Russian peasant life, or reproductions of famous paintings. Fine examples are original works of art, often signed by the artist.

Russian lacquered miniature works are popular, so reproductions and lower-quality examples are also found on the market. Traditionally made boxes from the four centers are usually painted on a papier-mâché base, with layers of paint and lacquer that give the decoration depth. Fedoskino artists traditionally use oil paints, while the other three centers are known for egg tempera. The boxes are generally lighter than wood, and their surfaces should be examined for the quality of the painting and finish. Age, workmanship, condition, and the artist’s reputation all affect value. Prices vary widely, with simpler examples selling for modest amounts and exceptional works bringing considerably more.

Home grocery delivery was already common by the late 19th century and remained popular in the early 20th century. It began to decline after World War II with the rise of suburbs and supermarkets, at least in the United States. The change wasn’t quite as drastic in Europe. This bicycle advertising Collins Chemist, which sold for £1,020 at a Bonhams auction, is one of the “trade” or “carrier” bicycles used in midcentury England. It was made by Leonard Gundle, who started making motorbikes in Birmingham in the 1920s and expanded into bicycles in the 1930s. After Gundle’s death in 1975, the company’s equipment was sold to Pashley Cycles, which is still operating in England.

Q&As

Q: My mother-in-law saved everything, and some things have come down to us that we have no idea what to do with. We are retired and downsizing but want to treat my father-in-law’s memorabilia with respect. We have his uniform with insignia, medal, correspondence between them when he was in the war, his training manuals to become a pilot, emergency maps, gas mask, etc. in the event he was shot down, crew and plane photos, a detailed scrapbook, subsequent reunion materials with his bomber group. What should I do with all of this?

A: There are many collectors of World War II memorabilia. Some are reenactors who want authentic artifacts. If you are interested in selling your collection, there are auctions and dealers that specialize in military and historical items. World War II memorabilia sells well at general auctions, too. If you have any weapons, guns, knives, live ammunition, or anything that might explode, contact the appropriate local authorities for advice about safe handling and disposal.

You may want to consider donating your treasures to a museum, especially personal items like the photographs and scrapbook. A local museum or historical society in your father-in-law’s hometown may be interested in them. There are museums dedicated entirely to World War II, like the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and the WWII American Experience Museum in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Museums evaluate potential donations according to their collecting needs, so contact them before sending any items. An association for World War II veterans and their families may have further advice.

Q: My brother visited Russia several times in the 1990s. Every trip, he brought home small black lacquer boxes with elaborate pictures painted on them. They are quite pretty. Can you tell me about them and how they are made?

A: Small Russian lacquered boxes were first produced in the late 18th century. Many copies have been made. The four traditional centers of Russian lacquer miniature painting are Fedoskino, Palekh, Mstera, and Kholui. Paintings on Russian lacquer boxes often depict scenes from Russian fairy tales, Russian peasant life, or reproductions of famous paintings. Fine examples are original works of art, often signed by the artist.

Russian lacquered miniature works are popular, so reproductions and lower-quality examples are also found on the market. Traditionally made boxes from the four centers are usually painted on a papier-mâché base, with layers of paint and lacquer that give the decoration depth. Fedoskino artists traditionally use oil paints, while the other three centers are known for egg tempera. The boxes are generally lighter than wood, and their surfaces should be examined for the quality of the painting and finish. Age, workmanship, condition, and the artist’s reputation all affect value. Prices vary widely, with simpler examples selling for modest amounts and exceptional works bringing considerably more.

COLLECTOR’S TIP: Don’t leave anything inside old books—especially pressed flowers, paper clips, newspapers, or sticky notes. They can stain or crease pages and cause other damage.

More Collector Questions Answered:

Collector’s Notebook: A Royal Dux Beauty Brings the Seaside Home

Collector’s Notebook: Old-World Style Meets Contemporary Furniture

Collector’s Notebook: Identifying Loetz Austria Glass

The post Collector’s Notebook: A Look Back at the Bicycle Delivery Trade appeared first on Antique Trader.

Hoosier cabinets were a staple in American kitchens from the late 19th century to World War II. While you don’t see them as often in today’s kitchens, you can still find plenty, especially in Indiana. Last July, Coppes Napanee, a woodworking company in Nappanee, Indiana, made one you can’t miss: a 30-foot-tall replica outside the company’s workshop.

Considered the world’s largest Hoosier cabinet, it doesn’t function as furniture, but it has a staircase and loft so visitors can climb it. This replica commemorates the 150th anniversary of Coppes Napanee, founded in 1876 by brothers John, Frank, and Sam Coppes. This year is also the 110th anniversary of Coppes Napanee building Hoosier cabinets; they introduced their first model in 1916. The company still makes custom Hoosier cabinets today.

The Hoosier Manufacturing Company, founded by J.S. McQuinn in Albany, Indiana, in 1899, is credited with inventing the Hoosier cabinet. With bins for dry ingredients, drawers and cabinets for cooking tools, and a tin or porcelain work surface, this freestanding cabinet brought convenience and efficiency to the kitchen. They caught on quickly, and other Indiana woodworking companies made their own versions. According to Coppes Napanee, in the cabinets’ heyday, over a million Americans had one.

After World War II, built-in cabinets became standard in new homes, eliminating the need for freestanding cabinets like the Hoosier. The once-innovative cabinet fell out of favor, and companies that specialized in them had to change focus or close. The Hoosier Manufacturing Company closed in 1942. Coppes Napanee is one of only two original makers still in business.

The fact that companies still make Hoosier cabinets shows their appeal isn’t entirely gone, whether out of a need to furnish an old house, a desire for quality furniture, or simply nostalgia.

More vintage and antique furniture:

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The post World’s Largest Hoosier Cabinet in Indiana appeared first on Antique Trader.

North Carolina’s history stretches from the ancient communities of its Indigenous peoples to the colonial struggles that helped bring about American independence. Its mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain shaped patterns of settlement and trade, while the state’s agricultural and manufacturing traditions left a lasting mark on American life. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, North Carolina’s contributions to American history offer much to explore.

A Brief History of the Tar Heel State

Long before European explorers reached the Carolina coast, Indigenous peoples inhabited the region for thousands of years, establishing communities across its varied landscapes. The ancestors of today’s Cherokee developed towns and agricultural traditions in the western mountains, while the Tuscarora and other Native peoples occupied areas of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. These communities maintained extensive networks of exchange and developed ways of life closely connected to the region’s forests and rivers. Their descendants remain an important part of North Carolina today.

In 1584, an English expedition sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh arrived on the Carolina coast, where Algonquian-speaking peoples had established communities long before European contact. English attempts at settlement followed, including the colony established on Roanoke Island in 1587. That settlement became known as the Lost Colony after its inhabitants disappeared from the English historical record. Permanent European settlement developed decades later, primarily as colonists moved south from Virginia into the Albemarle region. North Carolina became a separate royal colony in 1729, and its population expanded as settlers established farms and trading communities. This expansion displaced Indigenous peoples and increasingly depended on enslaved African labor.

Tensions between colonial residents and British authorities intensified during the decades preceding the American Revolution. In the Piedmont, the Regulator movement challenged corrupt local officials and unequal taxation, culminating in the Battle of Alamance in 1771. Although the Regulators were defeated, the conflict revealed deep divisions within colonial society. During the Revolution itself, the Patriot victory at Moore’s Creek Bridge in February 1776 weakened Loyalist support and helped strengthen the independence movement.

On April 12, 1776, North Carolina’s Fourth Provincial Congress adopted the Halifax Resolves, authorizing its delegates to the Continental Congress to support independence from Great Britain. It was the first colony to take this official step, preceding the Declaration of Independence by nearly three months. The date remains so important to North Carolina’s identity that April 12, 1776, appears on the state flag. Fighting continued in the state, most notably at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in March 1781. Although British forces under Lord Cornwallis held the battlefield, their losses weakened the army and contributed to the campaign that ultimately ended at Yorktown. North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on November 21, 1789.

During the 19th century, North Carolina’s economy remained heavily agricultural, with tobacco and cotton among its principal crops. Enslaved labor underpinned much of this production, and the Civil War brought widespread disruption before emancipation, and Reconstruction reshaped the state. Industrial development accelerated in the decades that followed, particularly in tobacco processing and textile manufacturing, with furniture production becoming another major industry. Communities such as Durham, Winston-Salem, and High Point became associated with industries whose products reached consumers throughout the country.

North Carolina also played a significant role in the history of American innovation. On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright, brothers from Dayton, Ohio, achieved the first successful sustained, controlled, powered flights at Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk. During the 20th century, the state continued to diversify its economy, with the development of Research Triangle Park beginning in 1959. Alongside these changes, North Carolina’s pottery, woodworking, and other craft traditions preserved skills passed down through generations.

Honoring the 250th

North Carolina’s official America 250 NC initiative is bringing the state’s Revolutionary history to life through exhibitions and community events. Led by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the commemoration examines the struggle for independence while encouraging a broader understanding of the people whose experiences shaped the state.

The Halifax Resolves occupy a central place in these observances. To mark their 250th anniversary, the original document, on loan from the National Archives, returned to Halifax for an exhibition at the newly renovated Historic Halifax visitor center from April 10 through October 6, 2026. The exhibition offered a rare opportunity to see the document in the community where it was adopted. The anniversary also brought living-history demonstrations and commemorative events to the historic town, including participation by the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe.

The commemoration continues throughout the state. From October 15–25, America 250 NC is participating in the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh, where visitors can explore traveling exhibits and learn about the state’s history. The state’s anniversary programming also features a rare 1777 eyewitness sketch of the Continental Army’s North Carolina Brigade, bringing a little-known Revolutionary-era image to public attention.

Collecting North Carolina

North Carolina’s collecting heritage reflects the state’s long history of craftsmanship and manufacturing, as well as the cultural traditions of its people. From hand-thrown pottery and Cherokee basketry to mid-century furniture and vintage advertising, objects associated with the Tar Heel State offer collectors a tangible connection to its past.

Pottery is among North Carolina’s most enduring craft traditions, particularly in the Seagrove region, where generations of potters have worked with locally available clays. Established in 1917, Jugtown Pottery became especially influential in preserving traditional forms while introducing glazes inspired by Asian ceramics. Fourth-generation potter Vernon Owens, a recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship, has helped carry that tradition into the present. Jugtown’s distinctive forms and glazes remain appealing to collectors of American art pottery.

The Cherokee people of western North Carolina have maintained distinctive basket-weaving traditions using river cane, white oak, and honeysuckle vine. Their baskets combine practical function with intricate geometric designs, often incorporating natural dyes, and the skills required to produce them have been passed from one generation to the next. Basket makers such as Lottie Queen Stamper helped preserve these traditions through their work and teaching, ensuring that Cherokee basketry remains a living art.

A Note to Collectors: When purchasing Native American art and handcrafted goods, buy directly from Native artists and artisans whenever possible, or from reputable dealers who can document an item’s authenticity and provenance. Collectors should never remove artifacts, including projectile points and other stone tools, from archaeological sites on federal or tribal lands without authorization. Such activities may violate the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA). Be cautious of objects marketed as Native American-made without reliable attribution, and remember that federal law prohibits misrepresenting products as Indian-made under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

North Carolina became one of America’s leading furniture-manufacturing centers during the 20th century, with companies such as Broyhill, Drexel, Henredon, Thomasville, and Hickory Chair producing furnishings for homes across the country. From traditional designs to the clean lines of mid-century modern furniture, these manufacturers helped establish the state’s reputation for craftsmanship. Today, vintage pieces bearing their original labels remain popular with collectors and decorators.

Tobacco production and processing helped shape North Carolina’s economy, and the industry’s advertising materials remain a collecting category of their own. R.J. Reynolds, established in Winston in 1875, became one of the country’s best-known tobacco manufacturers. Surviving tobacco pouches and promotional materials provide a visual record of the company’s brands and marketing, while reflecting an industry that profoundly influenced the state’s economic development.

The Wright brothers’ 1903 flights at Kill Devil Hills created another enduring source of North Carolina memorabilia. Postcards and commemorative publications document the growing recognition of the Outer Banks as the birthplace of powered flight. Early anniversary materials are particularly interesting because they reveal how Americans celebrated the achievement long before air travel became commonplace.

For collectors drawn to travel nostalgia, North Carolina’s coastal landmarks have inspired generations of souvenirs. Decorative plates and other keepsakes featuring Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and the Outer Banks capture the popularity of the state’s beaches and historic attractions. These inexpensive mementos preserve a colorful record of changing travel tastes and the places that generations of visitors wanted to remember.

Looking Ahead: North Carolina’s America 250 Calendar Highlights

North Carolina’s America 250 commemoration continues with exhibitions and educational programs exploring the people and places that shaped the Tar Heel State. Additional activities and opportunities to visit historic sites are being offered throughout the anniversary period.

Oct. 15–25, 2026 — America 250 NC at the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh

Visitors to Dorton Arena can explore more than 250 years of North Carolina history through exhibits and educational activities. Special presentations include an opportunity to meet state archaeologists on October 20 and learn about Revolutionary-era material culture on October 22.

Through Oct. 24, 2026 — Choosing Sides: The Catawba Nation & The Fight for Independence, Kings Mountain Historical Museum

This exhibition examines the Catawba Nation’s experience during the struggle for American independence, offering an Indigenous perspective on the Revolutionary War and the decisions facing Native communities.

Through Dec. 18, 2026 — People of Colonial North Carolina, Mountain Heritage Center, Western Carolina University

This exhibition explores the lives of North Carolina’s colonial residents and the varied communities that shaped the region before independence.

Through Nov. 30, 2026 — When Are We Us?, Chapel Hill Public Library

Part of America 250 NC’s statewide traveling exhibition program, When Are We Us? invites visitors to consider questions of identity and belonging within North Carolina’s evolving history.

Nov. 3, 2026 — North Carolinians’ Fight for Independence: The Soldier’s Experience, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo

This one-day State Archives exhibition examines the experiences of North Carolinians who served during the American Revolution, drawing attention to the individuals behind the military campaigns.

Explore More America at 250:

America at 250: New York, The Empire State

America at 250: New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment

America at 250: New Jersey: The Garden State

America at 250: New Hampshire: The Granite State

America at 250: Nevada: The Silver State

America at 250: Nebraska: The Cornhusker State

America at 250: Montana: The Treasure State

America at 250: Missouri: The Show-Me State

America at 250: Mississippi: The Magnolia State

America at 250: Michigan – The Great Lakes State

America at 250: Massachusetts: The Bay State

America at 250: Maryland’s Chesapeake Heritage

America at 250: Maine’s Enduring Traditions

America at 250: The Legacy of Louisiana

America at 250: Kentucky’s Bourbon, Bluegrass, and the Kentucky Derby

America at 250: Kansas, the Sunflower State

America at 250: Iowa, the History and Heritage of the Hawkeye State

America at 250: Indiana, the Crossroads of America

America at 250: Illinois, the Prairie State

America at 250: Idaho’s Hidden (and Not-So-Hidden) Gems

America at 250: Hawaii’s Aloha Spirit

America at 250: Guam’s Cultural Legacy in the Pacific

America at 250: Georgia’s Craft, Commerce, and Cultural Influence

America at 250: Florida’s Diverse Heritage

America at 250: Delaware’s First State Heritage

America at 250: Connecticut’s Colonial Craft and Industry

America at 250: Colorado’s Land and Living Traditions

America at 250: California’s Golden State Traditions

America at 250: Arkansas’s Ozark Traditions

America at 250: Arizona’s Traditions Shaped by the Southwest

America at 250: American Samoa’s Enduring Island Traditions

America at 250: Alaska’s Living Indigenous Heritage

America at 250: Alabama’s Hand-Shaped Heritage

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When a strong gust of wind swept through a Chicago antique show in 1995, event planner Sally Schwartz thought it was the end. As the windstorm billowed through the tents, all the antiques beneath became the storm’s carnage. “The tent legs were snapping like toothpicks,” Sally explains. “It was the rarest thing. There was a rug that blew onto the fence, like a flying carpet. I didn’t think I was going to plan another outdoor show in Chicago.”

But as time has shown, Sally did throw another outdoor antique show, the Randolph Street Market, and no matter the bad weather, it has stood firm. The Randolph Street Market is a major antique and vintage show in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. Visitors can peruse a curated selection of vendors who sell everything from fine art to mid-century décor to high-end vintage designs. Plus, there is live music, delicious food, and several cultural activities, including tarot card readings and poetry writing.

The event has been listed by publications like The New York Times and Travel & Leisure as a major antiquing destination in the United States, and it is beloved by famed interior designer Nate Berkus. The Randolph Street Market occurs multiple times a year alongside branching markets focused on vintage clothing and holiday décor. The next event is the Randolph Street Holiday Market set for November 14 and 15.

Many antique lovers dream of hosting such an event, but few can make it happen. Kovels Antique Trader interviewed Sally about how she did it and why she continues to host such fabulous shows, no matter the weather.

On her start…

Sally Schwartz (SS): I have a marketing background, but I was always selling stuff when I was a kid. I was one of the first I knew that went and bought and wore vintage clothing. I grew up in Glencoe, and I would take the train to Highland Park to go to the store Sergeant Peppers. And I would get vintage army jackets, overalls, painter pants, and fur stoles. I was wearing that when I was in sixth grade, and I would cut it up, change it, bleach it, whatever.
I would encourage anybody to collect something because it’s just fun to do. You get to know a thing about the past, and they’re conversation pieces.

On her start in party planning…

SS: I worked for an ad agency out of college and they had me do an event for all the wives of the national newspaper publishers. I had to do a big fashion show; it was all the big news. I loved it so much that I started my own party planning company out of the ad agency. I was then decorating parties with antique pieces that I’d get at flea markets for certain themes. Like a 1950s- or Al Capone-themed party.

On the start with the Randolph Street Market…

SS: In the mid-nineties, I started three big festivals on the Chicago River called the Chicago Antique and Collectibles Festivals. When it started, it was just antiques; young people weren’t buying vintage fashion.

But then the economy crashed in 2008, and I then added the indie designer fashion market, which was a good move because they were all the first ones to know how to do social media.

I was doing the markets every single month at one point; it was too much. Then I retooled, and for 2020, I had the biggest hopes. It was going to be a great year. I was only doing five shows; I could focus on each one and have it be great. The best-laid plans. And then boom… I didn’t do another outdoor event until July of 2022.

On planning the Randolph Street Market…

SS: I look at the whole event like it’s my party. I feel like it’s a very intimate, maybe the most intimate, big event in the city. People just want to feel safe and have a good time and be welcomed.

You’ve got to make it something that people will talk about when they go home, that they just had the most fun and weren’t expecting it. They can’t compare it to any other events; it’s unique in the realm of antiquing. I want them to be really stimulated by the experience.

Learn more about Sally and the Randolph Street Market at randolphstreetmarket.com.

Find More Flea Finds:

Rare Finds and Fun Times at the Randolph Street Market Festival

Brimfield Bound

The Five Best Flea Markets in The U.S.

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