A Brief History of “Where the West Begins”

People have lived in Nebraska for at least ten thousand years. The region’s Paleoindians were nomadic hunters following large game across the plains. The artifacts they left behind, including several types of stone points, have been found at archaeological sites near bones of animals like bison and mammoths. Over time, cultures turned to foraging and hunting smaller game, and some eventually established more settled communities that practiced agriculture.

By the 1600s, horses introduced to North America by Europeans had begun spreading to Indigenous peoples of the Plains. Their arrival brought new alliances and conflicts, influencing where people moved and lived. About this time, the historic tribes that lived in and around the area we now call Nebraska included the Omaha, Oto Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca, Arapahoe, Sioux, Cheyenne, and Comanche. The name “Nebraska” comes from Otoe and Omaha words meaning “flat water.” In 1714, French explorer Étienne de Bourgmont applied a version of the name to what was later named the Platte (from the French for “flat”) River.

Nebraska was part of the land claimed by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Indigenous presence remained strong there; in 1804, Lewis and Clark met with the Omaha in what is now the city of Omaha. From about 1821 to 1854, Nebraska was part of the region called “Indian country,” whose boundaries were defined by Congress in 1834.

This changed in 1854 with the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which created the Nebraska Territory. Increasing numbers of European Americans traveled west to establish farms and settlements, especially after the Homestead Act of 1862. The Pacific Railroad Act, also passed in 1862, accelerated these changes, especially since Omaha, Nebraska, was the original starting point of the Union Pacific Railroad. Nebraska became the 37th state in 1867.

In 1879, Ponca Chief Standing Bear successfully challenged his detention by the U.S. government after attempting to return to his Nebraska homeland. In Standing Bear v. Crook, a federal judge ruled that a Native American was a “person” under the law and entitled to the protections of habeas corpus.

The Great Seal of the State of Nebraska was provided for in its first constitution, and its design was adopted in 1867. It is a circle with a smith at a hammer and anvil in the foreground; a settler’s cabin, wheat sheaves, and corn stalks to represent agriculture; a steamboat on the Missouri River; and, in the background, a train of cars heading west toward the Rocky Mountains. A banner above the scene declares the state’s motto, “Equality Before the Law.”

In the decades after the Civil War, land grants continued to encourage settlers coming from the eastern United States and immigrants from Europe well into the 20th century. The farms and agricultural businesses they established are still significant parts of the state’s and nation’s economy.

Honoring the 250th: Nebraska’s Role in America’s Celebration

Nebraska is marking the nation’s anniversary through the Nebraska Semiquincentennial Commission, which consists of educators, veterans, community leaders, and volunteers. The commission states, “This celebration isn’t about looking back at history from a distance. It’s about seeing yourself in it.” Exhibits, events, and activities across the state teach and celebrate the nation’s history while encouraging reflection on one’s own place in it and how it shapes American life today.

Working with schools, museums, cultural organizations, and community partners, the commission is coordinating events, providing educational materials, and sharing opportunities for activities and volunteer work. Declaring, “Every Nebraskan has a place in this story. We’re here to help you find yours,” the commission encourages a spirit of community while honoring the thousands of years of people and cultures who faced the land’s challenges and thrived on its resources.

Collecting Nebraska

Historical artifacts made by the Indigenous peoples of Nebraska and surrounding states are sometimes grouped together as “Great Plains.” Beadwork, quillwork, decorated clothing, and other objects are important pieces of history and examples of highly skilled work.

Contemporary Native artists in Nebraska draw on the materials, motifs, and subject matter of traditional arts and crafts to celebrate their history, confront stereotypes and misconceptions, and express their unique creative visions. Buying directly from Native artists and reputable galleries and markets supports the artists and their communities while helping collectors establish the authenticity of the art.

For collectors, artifacts like these can evoke the romanticized images popularized by years of frontier tales and Western films. However, please note: Federal and tribal laws may restrict the sale, purchase, or possession of certain Native American cultural items, including funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. Collectors should research provenance carefully and confirm that an item can be legally and ethically bought or sold.

In the 19th century, multiple photographers in Nebraska created portraits of Native American subjects or scenes of their contemporary lives. These serve as both historic documentation and collectible photography. One of the most famous of these photo series was taken by Frank A. Rinehart at the Indian Congress hosted in Omaha in 1898 along with the Trans-Mississippi Exposition.

Nebraska is also the source of many agricultural collectibles. It is the Cornhusker State, after all. Tools and household items from historic farms or advertising from the state’s many agricultural companies have plenty of collector interest.

Windmill weights, originally made for practical purposes, are collected as folk art today. Nebraska was home to some major manufacturers of windmill weights with distinctive designs. Some of the most famous designs come in the shapes of cows and horses, a nod to their original use on farms.

For most of human history, where there is grain, there is beer, and Nebraska is no exception. Omaha had several breweries whose names, logos, and advertisements are sought by today’s breweriana collectors.

If you prefer nonalcoholic drinks, Nebraska is also the birthplace of Kool-Aid. After years of experiments, inventor Edwin Perkins created a fruit-flavored drink mix he called “Kool-Ade” in Hastings, Nebraska, in 1927. The spelling changed in 1934. Its colorful advertising has plenty of collector appeal. The iconic Kool-Aid Man first appeared in television commercials in 1975.

For fans of college sports, “Cornhusker” has another meaning. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers, nicknamed the Huskers or Big Red, compete in the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Division I. Their varsity teams have won national championships in football, volleyball, bowling, men’s gymnastics, and women’s track and field. Vintage merchandise and championship memorabilia are sought by collectors.

Looking Ahead: Nebraska’s America 250 Calendar Highlights

Throughout 2026—America 250 Nebraska Statewide Programming

Yearlong:  The Buffalo County Celebration includes living history events, guest speakers, museum tours, trail relays, and more in Kearney and surrounding areas.

March 2, 2026 – January 4, 2027: Our American Dreams, an exhibit at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island collaborating with the community to explore personal meanings of the American Dream.

May 23 – September 26, 2026: How We Celebrate: Honoring 250 Years of the United States. A summer exhibit at Gage County Historical Society and Museum.

July 2 – December 19, 2026: Material Nation: 250 Years of American Quilts. Part of the “Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026” initiative, the exhibit at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln International Quilt Museum examines creativity, life, and work in America through the nation’s history of quiltmaking.

August 1, 2026 – January 10, 2027: In Search of the Signers. An exhibit at the Durham Museum featuring documents related to 49 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.

September – November 2026: America 250 at the Omaha Public Library. A series of talks, exhibits, and interactive activities offering different cultural perspectives on American history

September 12, 2026: Remember the Ladies: A presentation by Humanities Nebraska speaker Janie York at The Rock Museum and Chapel about women’s work in the American Revolution.

September 17, 2026: Ringing of the Bells Across America—North Platte. The Daughters of the American Revolution Sioux Lookout Chapter kicks off Constitution Week by joining a nationwide initiative to celebrate the first public reading of the Constitution.

September 19-20, 2026: Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park. The 21st Annual Outdoor Expo hosts more than 100 free activities, including sports, vendors, demonstrations, and Voices of America, a series of speakers celebrating America’s 250th.

October 27, 2026: Revolutionary Ambition: America at 250: A Conversation with Nathaniel Philbrick. The 31st Annual Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities, held in Lincoln and livestreamed, invites a historian and bestselling author to share stories of the Revolutionary War.

November 13, 2026: United States Air Force Offutt Brass: Patriotic Favorites for America 250. A free concert at the Willa Cather Center in Red Cloud celebrates Veterans Day and America 250 with the Offutt Brass ensemble of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band.

Explore More America at 250 stories:

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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Trash became treasure when eleven Spanish ships were overtaken by a hurricane off the coast of Florida over 300 years ago. The ships were homebound to Spain to deliver treasures equaling 14 million pesos acquired from the then-colonies in Cuba, including precious gems, gold, silver, coins, and jewelry.

They were tasked with acquiring these precious goods for the Spanish Empire, which sought these materials to help address economic hardships caused by costly wars and financial mismanagement. But as the fleet set off on the Atlantic seas from Cuba, Spain would never receive those treasures. Rather, it was the eastern coast of Florida that would be the final destination.

As the fleet headed homebound to Spain, the waves swelled into large surges, with violent winds tossing the ships, and the warm Atlantic waters acting as fuel for the fierce and deadly storm. When it was all settled, there were few survivors, and those treasures were scattered, alongside parts of the ship, across the seafloor.

This devastating loss for the Spanish has proved to be a gain for treasure divers and hunters. Nicknamed “The Treasure Coast,” this 40-mile area spans Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties, and to this day, those once-lost precious items are being found near the region’s coastline.

The first major discovery of what is referred to today as the 1715 Fleet was in 1961 by treasure hunter and diver Kip Wagner (1906–1972). For years, Wagner found gold, silver, and more that totaled millions of dollars and even wrote a related book, Pieces of Eight (Recovering the Riches of a Lost Spanish Fleet).

More treasure hunters followed suit, including the famous Mel Fisher (1922–1998), who began his decades-long career with the 1715 Fleet. Fisher is best known for his 1980s discovery of the 1622 wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which was also sunk by a hurricane, but miles away from the 1715 Fleet in the Florida Keys. Fisher and his diving team uncovered a swath of goods, like precious metals (silver and gold) and gems, with daily vices like tobacco and indigo that were all taken from the Spanish ports in New Granada (Colombia, Panama) and Cuba for Spanish gain.

Thanks to the efforts of Wagner and Fisher, the Spanish shipwrecks on the Treasure Coast of Florida are known for the jewels, gold, and silver left behind. But for many shipwreck collectors and experts, what inspires them isn’t always these shiny objects. Often it is anything that can be found from the wreckage: weapons, furniture, ship parts, and even coal.

Many of these items are prized for their place in history, serving as remnants of an often-tragic moment in the past. Dishware from the Titanic illustrates the formality and sense of society on the ill-fated ship, while wreckage from a warship gives a better understanding of military weapons and warfare used in battle. Even the gold found on the ships of the 1715 fleet offers some form of reflection, as many coins were products of Spanish colonial influence and pieces like a gold chain belt were a method to store personal wealth upon one’s body while traveling.

These artifacts hold much importance to many people and organizations. As enticing as discovering a gold coin, or many, on the seafloor can be, full ownership of these items isn’t always given to the finders. On April 28, 1988, Ronald Reagan signed into law the Abandoned Shipwreck Act. It was made to ensure the protection of historic ships across the United States by giving ownership rights to the states in which the local waters house wreck sites, ultimately protecting these historic items from the private market and preventing harmful archaeological excavations. When a treasure hunter discovers a pile of booty, like in the state of Florida, the find must be reported, as the goods are state property. Finders usually receive a percentage of the find for personal ownership, while the rest goes to the state. If the finder of the treasure chooses not to report, it can cost them fines and potentially federal charges as punishment. In addition to the Abandoned Shipwreck Act, the Sunken Military Craft Act was enacted in 2004 to ensure that all U.S. and foreign military craft in U.S. waters are protected and treated as active war graves.

Findings of these fallen wrecks have also inspired organizations founded in their honor. The nonprofit 1715 Fleet was established as a dedication to the history of the iconic shipwrecks and their preservation. Among its activities is promoting community for amateur and expert researchers of the fleet, sharing related news, and showing collections of the items found from the wreckage on its website.

Another nonprofit, the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), is a volunteer-run foundation created by novelist and underwater explorer Clive Cussler (1931–2020). Named after a fictional U.S. government organization in Cussler’s novel, NUMA was created as a real-life organization with the mission to preserve maritime heritage. Through its promotion of conservation and archeological survey of shipwrecks, NUMA has contributed to the locating and uncovering of a vast range of sites, including many American Civil War boats. Other resources dedicated to preservation and historical efforts also include the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association, the Northwest Shipwreck Alliance, and Wrecksite, a website that acts as the world’s largest online wreck database.

A vast selection of shipwreck artifacts is held and on display at museums across the world and has become a popular destination for tourists. Among the offerings is the Mel Fisher Museum in Key West, which displays the findings of the treasure hunter and his company, including items from the Atocha and Santa Margarita wrecks. Across the United States is the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, Michigan, which houses the Whitefish Point Light Station and Light Tower, alongside relics from Great Lakes wrecks. Notable international locales include the Vasamuseet in Stockholm, which displays a preserved 17th-century Swedish warship that sank in 1628. The UK’s Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth owns a Henry VIII warship and related objects, while the Titanic Belfast in Belfast tells the story of the iconic wreck. The Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle, Australia, collects artifacts from multiple wrecks, including one from the World War II submarine HMAS Ovens.

Depending on the object’s origin and type, its current value can be much more than the original worth and soar into the millions. Because of this, shipwreck artifacts have become a prominent category for auction houses, antique dealers, and retailers, with some solely dedicating their business to the wreckage goods.

Sedwick & Associates, based in Maitland, Florida, specializes in Spanish and Latin American wreckage numismatics and related items from throughout the world, touting having sold some of the most important shipwreck treasures. Among the recently sold at the auction house was a circa 1628 Mexican cob 8 reales from the Lucayan Beach Wreck that was sold for $700. It was later mounted shield-side out in a silver bezel and chain from the 1960s.

Wrecks outside of Spanish influence have also garnered attention from bidders and the press. Decadent goods like two 350-year-old wine bottles from a 17th-century German shipwreck were sold by Christie’s London in 2019. A 19th-century shawl belonging to Grace Darling was sold by Anderson & Garland in October 2025 for £820. Darling is remembered for her heroism in 1838 for helping survivors of the SS Forfarshire that sank off the coast of Northumberland.

Items from the Titanic always sell well. The highest-selling item from the ship’s found wreckage is an 18-carat gold pocket watch that belonged to first-class passenger and co-owner of Macy’s Department Store Isidor Straus, which sold for $1.78 million at Henry Aldridge & Son Auctioneers.

Even coal from a shipwreck has garnered sales for an auction house. Salvaged from the Titanic during an expedition in 1994, the 1.6 ounces of coal from the Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Cornwall, England, went for sale in a November 2024 auction hosted by Lay’s Auctioneers. Although broken into pieces, the coal went above its estimated range of between £500 and £800 for a winning bid of £1,500.

With all considering, it seems a ship’s trash really can be someone’s treasure.

More treasures from the deep:

Freeman’s Achieves Over $1.2 Million with Sale of RMS Titanic Artifacts Belonging to John Jacob Astor IV

The Legend of Larder Lake is Solved? We’ll Drink to That!

Lake Michigan Treasure Hunters Spurred by Gold and Whiskey

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If you ate at Pizza Hut in the 1980s or ’90s, you probably remember red checked tablecloths and vinyl booths setting the scene for family evenings out and kids’ parties. These memories may have a warm glow not just from nostalgia, but from the restaurant’s pendant lamps with red-and-white Tiffany-style leaded glass shades.

Now, most Pizza Hut locations rely on takeout or delivery, and the classic decorations, lamps and all, are no longer the standard at restaurants. So collectors look for them elsewhere. When Pizza Hut released a line of nostalgia-driven merchandise in 2021, it included a T-shirt printed with the familiar lamp. Now, a search on sites like eBay or Etsy brings up plenty of reproduction lamps, with pendant styles selling for about $250 to $350 and a smaller desk lamp, about $150 to $250.

These lamps sit at the intersection of two major trends: nostalgia and leaded glass. For some younger collectors, Pizza Hut lamps were their first exposure to this style, inspiring a later love for Tiffany designs. Publications like Homes and Gardens, Elle Decor, and the Miami Herald have noted the current trend for leaded glass lamps, exploring the appeal of classic craftsmanship, the bold colors of statement lighting, and the inviting warmth of “tavern-style” lamps. Collectors often refer to these lamps as “Tiffany style,” or sometimes just “Tiffany,” regardless of the maker.

Pizza Hut has jumped on the retro bandwagon, introducing Pizza Hut Classic, a series of dine-in locations with the familiar 1990s décor, salad bars, and even arcade games. Tim Sparks, president of Pizza Hut franchisee Daland Corporation, told CBS News that the lamps are the most difficult part of the décor to source. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, stained glass maker ParkviewBarn, a seller on both eBay and Etsy, has supplied reproduction lamps for some locations.

In May 2026, People reported Pizza Hut had 38 Classic locations established, with more to come. Sparks says they are “top performing locations” where “people come from two and three hours away.” These locations even manage to turn the clock back another way because, according to Sparks, “People do tend to put their phones down” while they eat there. 

Read more tasty restaurant-themed content:

Vintage Restaurant Ware Creamers

The Colonel Comes to Auction: The Personal Treasures of Harland Sanders Hit the Block

Vintage Fast Food Toys are Collector Treats

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Editor’s update: This article was written before Tim Curry’s death on August 25, 2026. What began as a happy bit of reminiscing about an actor whose work has been part of my life for decades now feels very different. His passing is devastating for those of us who loved him, whether we first knew him as the outrageously irresistible Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Clue’s impeccably proper, increasingly manic Wadsworth, the charming but villainous Cardinal Richelieu, the often goofy explorer and devoted family man, Nigel Thornberry, or one of the countless other characters only Tim Curry could have made unforgettable. I considered changing what I had written, but I won’t. These were my thoughts while he was still with us, and I can think of no better way to honor him than to leave them that way.

“I have loved and have been loved, and I hope you have too.” — Tim Curry, Vagabond.

One of the perks of editing Kovels Antique Trader is that I never quite know what will capture my attention next. While researching one of this issue’s sales reports featuring a recent JG Autographs’ History & Culture auction, one lot gave me pause: a signed copy of Tim Curry’s memoir, Vagabond.

It wasn’t the autograph that caught my eye. It was the name.

Like so many people of my generation, my introduction to Tim Curry came through The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I regularly went to the midnight showings, but I never quite graduated to fishnets and corsets. However, I did learn enough of the audience dialogue and call-backs to join in enthusiastically. To this day, when someone mentions Rocky Horror, my inner 19-year-old self exuberantly screams “Another helping of curry, please!”

As I read the auction description, every Tim Curry favorite immediately came rushing back. Wadsworth in Clue: “I was in the hall; I know because I was there.” The deliciously wicked Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers: “All for one. And more for me.” Long John Silver chewing up the scenery in Muppet Treasure Island: “Upstage, lads. This is my only number.” And Nigel Thornberry (“Smashing!”), whose wonderfully eccentric personality was a huge part of watching The Wild Thornberrys with my youngest daughter and my son. The show brought us happiness while teaching my children about the importance of the stewardship of nature. If I’m being honest, the ability to stream The Wild Thornberrys is one of the reasons that I recently signed up for Paramount Plus.

I soon realized that I hadn’t just stumbled across a signed book while researching an auction report. Instead of discovering an object, I discovered that I’d unknowingly assembled a collection of Tim Curry moments and memories spanning much of my life.

We often think of collections as things we intentionally build. But sometimes our best collections aren’t objects at all. A night at the movies. A favorite television show. A song. A family tradition. In my case, an actor whose performances have accompanied me through the decades until this one unexpected object made me aware of the fact that he’s been there all along.

I am reminded of how fortunate we are that so much of his work endures. A stroke in 2012 largely ended Tim Curry’s performing career, quieting one of the most recognizable voices in film and television. Yet he remained remarkably engaged with his fans, appearing at conventions, fan events, and cast reunions and roundtable discussions. Fortunately for the world, the stroke couldn’t diminish the characters he brought to life or the joy they continue to bring to audiences decades later.

By the time I’d finished editing the sales report, I’d ordered my own copy of Vagabond. Mine isn’t signed and never will be, and that’s perfectly all right. I wanted Tim Curry’s story more than his signature.

As it turns out, that auction lot gave me far more than a book recommendation.

Looking back, it’s remarkable how often Tim Curry appeared at different stages of my life. I didn’t set out to follow his career intentionally, yet there he was, popping up in films, television, animation, and stage productions, always leaving an impression. Very few performers could move so effortlessly from comedy to drama, from live action to voice work, and make every role distinctly their own.

So, thank you, Tim Curry. Thank you for the laughter. Thank you for a lifetime of remarkable performances and unforgettable characters. And thank you for the memories I’ve collected along the way.

Simply smashing.

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What do a Tiki menu, a Revolutionary War broadside, a first-edition book, and a pop-up have in common? They were all made of paper, and all were meant to be used, handled, read, and eventually discarded. Somehow, they survived.

The September issue of Kovels Antique Trader explores the endlessly varied world of ephemera, where fragile pieces of paper can preserve everything from everyday life and popular culture to moments of extraordinary historical importance. This issue examines objects not necessarily created to last but now offer collectors a tangible connection to the past.

Among them is one of the rarest printed versions of the Declaration of Independence. A previously unknown Exeter broadside, discovered in the UK National Archives nearly 250 years after it was printed, brings the number of known examples to just 11 and adds a remarkable new chapter to the document’s history.

From there, the issue moves into the world of rare books and related ephemera, including first editions sought by collectors and the dealers who specialize in finding them.

And then we get to one of my favorite corners of the issue: Tiki. In “Illustrating Paradise,” collector, author, and Polynesian Pop historian Sven Kirsten explains how menus, postcards, matchbooks, brochures, and other paper ephemera helped create the immersive visual world of mid-century Tiki culture.

The September issue also ventures beneath the waves with stories on ocean-inspired vintage jewelry and artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, before returning to paper with a look at the surprising history and enduring appeal of pop-up books.

The September issue also takes a personal turn in Editor Kele Johnson’s letter. While working on a Sales Report featuring a signed copy of Tim Curry’s memoir, Vagabond, Johnson found herself reminiscing about the characters he brought into her life over the decades, from Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Cardinal Richelieu to Long John Silver and Nigel Thornberry. Written before Curry’s death on August 25, what began as an unexpected trip down memory lane has since become a bittersweet tribute to an actor whose unforgettable characters entertained generations of fans.

From centuries-old documents to Tiki menus, rare books, shipwreck artifacts, and pop-culture memories, the September issue is a reminder that almost anything can become collectible when it has a good story to tell.

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At first glance, it makes sense that the stained, crumpled sheet of paper covered in scribbles was once thrown in the trash. Take a closer look, and it’s clear why it was rescued and became a collector’s prized possession: The scribbles are signatures by NBA top scorer LeBron James. Even better, they’re from his high school career. No wonder the collector turned down a $100,000 offer.

The collector, who did not provide his name, took the sheet of paper, now preserved in a clear envelope, to Got Sole, the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest culture festival.” With events in five cities, Got Sole brings sneakerheads, trading card collectors, vintage fashion enthusiasts, and connoisseurs of luxury goods together to buy, sell, trade, and generally celebrate their collectibles.

The collector told the story behind the signatures in a YouTube Short shared by Got Sole. Apparently, teenage LeBron James was practicing autographs in high school. After he threw the paper away, a teacher pulled it out of the trash and put it up on the wall. Later, it came to the collectors’ market.

Plenty of kids practice autographs while dreaming of stardom, but, in high school, James was already on his way. Playing for the Fighting Irish at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, he was the first sophomore to be named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball, as well as the state’s first sophomore to make the USA Today All-USA First Team. In his junior year, he became the first high school basketball underclassman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, as the February 2002 issue declared him “The Chosen One.” Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first pick of 2003, he entered the NBA directly out of high school.

The collector showed James the paper and asked whether he remembered the signatures. The sports superstar affirmed that he did, although he acknowledged, laughing, that “this is terrible compared to the new ones.”

Even if James’s signing style has improved over time, the collector pointed out the resemblance of the high school signatures to official ones. For example, he compared one of the signatures on the paper to James’s “rookie autograph” as it appears on the 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch card.

When asked about the value of the autographs, the collector said he “didn’t even want to put a number on it,” insisting “it’s not really for sale” and saying he had rejected a $100,000 offer for the sheet of paper.

LeBron James memorabilia sells for high prices. A UDA-authenticated framed Cleveland Cavaliers jersey with his autograph recently sold at Mynt Auctions for $12,000. In 2021, the St. Vincent-St. Mary jersey that he wore for the Sports Illustrated cover as well as in games set an auction record for high school basketball jerseys when it sold for $512,000 at Julien’s Auctions. The same year, his 2003 Exquisite Collection patch card sold for a record $5.2 million at PWCC Marketplace.

More B-Ball:

LeBron James Basketball Card Sells For $2.4M

$3 Goodwill Find Could Bring $250,000 at Sotheby’s

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eBay has expanded its Authenticity Guarantee program to collectible coins, adding professional authentication for eligible purchases of $500 or more.

Beginning Aug. 18, the program is rolling out in the United States for graded U.S. coins, graded world coins, including Canadian coins, and raw U.S. coins priced at $500 or more. Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) will authenticate eligible purchases at no additional cost to buyers or sellers.

Coins are only the second category within eBay’s collectibles business to receive Authenticity Guarantee coverage. The company introduced the service for trading cards in 2022.

Eligible listings carry eBay’s blue Authenticity Guarantee badge. After a purchase, the coin is sent to PCGS, where authenticators conduct a physical inspection to verify authenticity, examine its overall condition and general quality, and compare the coin with the seller’s listing description.

Once authenticated, the coin receives an e-tag, a tamper-proof seal containing a unique QR code that allows the buyer to access information about the coin and its authentication journey. The coin is then securely packaged and sent to the buyer.

The program also provides an additional safeguard on returns when a seller accepts them. Instead of being returned directly to the seller, the coin goes back through the authentication center, where experts confirm that it is the same item originally sold and check its condition before returning it to the seller.

The expansion comes amid significant growth in eBay’s numismatic marketplace. The company reports that searches for collectible coins increased more than 30 percent between June 2025 and June 2026, while listings of historic coins grew more than 40 percent during the same period.

The humble cent has attracted particularly heavy interest. From January through June 2026, eBay users searched for pennies more than 2,500 times per hour.

Activity is also increasing on eBay Live. The company cited the $11,400 sale of a graded 1883 Trade Dollar as one example of high-value coins selling through its live programming.

“The opportunity to scale and grow the coin business around the world is significant and plays to eBay’s strengths, notably, the marketplace’s selection of unique and historic inventory,” said Adam Ireland, vice president and general manager of Global Collectibles at eBay.

The launch expands eBay’s partnership with Collectors, the parent company of PCGS and Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). PCGS President Stephanie Sabin said the grading service has seen a double-digit increase in collector submissions in 2026.

The Authenticity Guarantee rollout follows another change eBay made to its coin marketplace earlier this year. In May, the company introduced standardized condition guidelines for collectible coins, intended to provide buyers with more consistent information about an item’s condition before purchase.

eBay is also increasing its involvement in the numismatic community. The company is funding five Professional Numismatists Guild NextGen scholarships in 2026, is a key sponsor of the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money, Aug. 25–29, and is sponsoring the PCGS Young Numismatist event held in conjunction with the show.

The expansion of Authenticity Guarantee comes as eBay continues to invest heavily in collectibles. More than five million trading cards have passed through its Authenticity Guarantee program since its 2022 launch, and the company recently announced that it is lowering the U.S. eligibility threshold for trading cards from $250 to $200.

For coin collectors, the new $500 threshold means a growing number of higher-value purchases on the marketplace will now make an extra stop between seller and buyer, with PCGS verifying that the coin received is authentic and matches the listing before it reaches its new owner.

Read eBay’s original announcement.

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A tiny mosquito just brought a mammoth price.

The screen-matched mosquito trapped in amber from the opening scene of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park sold for $403,200, including buyer’s premium, during the first day of Propstore’s Summer Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in Los Angeles on Aug. 26. The prop had been estimated at $100,000 to $200,000 and was offered at public auction for the first time.

For fans of the 1993 blockbuster, few objects could be more closely tied to the movie’s premise. The faux fossil appears during the opening sequence at the fictional Mano de Dios amber mine in the Dominican Republic, where workers uncover a prehistoric mosquito preserved in amber. In the world of Jurassic Park, blood taken from mosquitoes trapped millions of years ago provides the dinosaur DNA used to bring the long-extinct creatures back to life.

Propstore identified the piece as the one seen in close-up in the film by matching distinctive bubbles in the amber, the position of the mosquito, and the pattern where the amber meets the surrounding rock. The prop measures 4” × 6” × 2.5” and is made of resin textured and painted to resemble amber embedded in stone. It retains wear from production and age, including cracked resin and minor paint flaking.

The mosquito also became one of the movie’s most recognizable symbols. John Hammond, the visionary behind the ill-fated dinosaur park, famously carries a cane topped with another mosquito suspended in amber. The imagery became shorthand for the scientific conceit at the heart of the film.

The $403,200 fossil led the first day of the four-day Propstore sale, which realized $7.2 million from 296 lots. Other familiar pieces of pop-culture history also exceeded expectations. Doc Brown’s famous OUTATIME license plate from Back to the Future, one of a small number made by the Universal Studios sign shop and used on the time-traveling DeLorean, raced to $69,300. The plate came from scenic artist Jim Passanante, who was tasked with touching it up between takes during filming.

A Golden Snitch from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone flew to $63,000. Sculpted by prop maker Pierre Bohanna, it was one of the first six made for the film and was handled by actors and used on set as a lighting and scale reference.

Michael Jackson’s custom-made werecat teeth from “Thriller” gave bidders something to sink their teeth into at $47,250. Cast from molds of Jackson’s own teeth, the upper and lower dental appliances were the only full-length, final form werecat teeth made and used for the landmark music video. They came directly from the collection of special makeup effects legend Rick Baker.

All three surpassed their pre-auction estimates.

Released in 1993, Jurassic Park earned more than $914 million during its original theatrical run and won three Academy Awards. In 2018, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry.

More than three decades later, collectors still seem to agree with Hammond on at least one thing.

Sometimes you really do have to spare no expense.

All images courtesy of Propstore Auction.

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Eight years ago, in February 2018, a signed print of Picasso’s etching “Torero,” numbered nine out of thirty, disappeared from an art gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Gallery co-owner Bill DeLind told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the print, valued between $35,00 and $50,000, “just walked off the wall.”

There were no leads, and an offer of a $10,000 reward for information expired in May 2019. Earlier this month, however, the print was located surprisingly close to home.

Landlord Timothy Dertz was cleaning out an apartment in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee after an eviction. Consulting an antique dealer about some items the tenant had left behind, he learned that a picture on the apartment wall was a Picasso print. When Dertz looked up the artwork to find out what it might be worth, he saw the story of the theft and realized the print needed to go to the police.

The Milwaukee Police Department issued a press release stating that the etching had been turned in on August 5 and authenticated as the stolen print on August 6. They contacted DeLind, who says he “was overwhelmed” by the news. “I thought I’d never see this again,” he said to news station WISN.

Dertz told WISN that the picture “was in a weird spot” in the apartment and “looked like it had been there a long, long time because it had collected tons of dust.” But that worked out to its advantage; DeLind called its condition “perfect,” noting that “it still had the glass in front of it to protect it” and “The frame was in good shape.” It even had the sticker from DeLind Fine Art Appraisals on the back.

The Milwaukee police have declined to answer questions from news outlets about whether there will be a criminal investigation. There is a six-year statute of limitations on theft and property crimes.

For now, everyone involved is pleased that the print has been found. The police have praised the decision to do “the right thing” and return it. According to AP News, DeLind says that the former co-owner of the gallery, who passed away in February, “would have been over the moon.” The print “was special to him,” and he would ask the police to publicize the theft every year in case it brought in any new information.

Ponder more Picasso below:

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We hear a lot about obsessions these days, whether it’s through advertising or influencers doing what it is they do on social media. I’m not much into the idea of influencing because it seems to encourage imitation over originality. What I don’t mind is inspiring people to expand their viewpoint a bit and learn about jewelry they might not discover if I don’t mention it. If that helps them create a unique sense of style so they can look and feel superb, huzzah!

Now, I’m not saying you can’t look great without a single bauble or bangle adorning your ensemble. Sometimes a remarkable outfit is everything. But in most instances, the right jewelry elevates a look from good to great. One brand I personally reach for repeatedly to up my accessorizing game is a French favorite: Françoise Montague.

I discovered these superbly crafted pieces when one of my friends owned an upscale boutique in the early 2000s. Since then, I’ve snagged a few additional Françoise Montague pieces for my jewelry wardrobe in addition to learning more about this business with a lifespan much longer than I’d first realized.

Françoise Montague From Then to Now

Françoise Montague became enamored with costume jewelry by making adornments for her sisters. She then studied at the École des Arts Décoratifs and gained experience making hats before moving wholeheartedly into the world of the parurier, a workshop making jewelry for couture houses.

The business that became Françoise Montague was founded in 1945 by Montague’s mother as the De Saurma jewelry workshop. Montague was the name of her first husband, who perished as a French Resistance hero during World War II, and she changed the business’s name in his honor. With a global clientele and a Parisian boutique already established, Montague’s most valuable clients were Franck & Fils and Nina Ricci, according to Costume Jewelry for Haute Couture by Florence Muller. The relationship with Nina Ricci lasted a decade, as a matter of fact.

Montague experimented with many different styles over the years. Pieces in the ‘50s and ‘60s were constructed with handmade glass beads in a rainbow of colors, clear glass discs, linked gold-plated findings with embossing, and dangling chains in both silver- and gold-tone finishes. She also experimented with materials like raffia in the ‘60s and metals combined with Swarovski rhinestones in geometric designs in the ‘70s.

When Montague retired in 1978, a 21-year-old woman named Marion Stern took the reins of the business. She’d learned the jewelry trade via her parents, who held licenses to produce Givenchy and Nina Ricci jewelry in the mid-1970s. Stern jumped into the business and quickly picked up jewelry-making skills from the employees at Françoise Montague. Stern also looked for opportunities to expand the business and developed boutique relationships around the world rather than focusing on making jewelry for the couture houses.

Although the business faltered in the early 1990s as jewelry tastes changed, Stern kept two employees and eventually found a spot in Paris where the business could thrive. In 1998, she established the Françoise Montague boutique at 231 rue Saint-Honoré with the firm’s workshop located upstairs. She began selling jewelry created by her employees, along with select pieces from other artisans and some vintage jewelry, including her favorites from Chanel, Line Vautrin, and others.

The jewelry being made in the workshop evolved, but with an eye for the past, since some of the styles did indeed include elements found in much older Françoise Montague designs, such as examples with numerous dangling chains. Others were unique best sellers, like the teardrop double-hoop Lolita earrings, which have been popular with consumers since the early 2000s.

A point of pride for Françoise Montague is ownership by women, and now Rebecca Mamou-Stern has stepped in during the 2020s to continue the brand’s legacy. Looking to the future, she developed a website featuring all the newest creations being skillfully crafted above the boutique in Paris, along with some of the vintage selections being offered for sale.

Identifying Françoise Montague Jewelry

One of the difficult things about amassing a collection of Françoise Montague, including pieces from the ‘50s and ‘60s, is that the early styles produced for the couture houses were not marked. Some of them are noteworthy bib and collar necklaces, but there are very few references showing photos of them beyond those depicted in Muller’s book. For that reason, most don’t get sold as Françoise Montague when they very occasionally come on the market.

Even during the 1980s and ‘90s, not everything was marked, but some pieces do have F.M. stamped in block letters on the clasp or somewhere on the back. Even when they are not marked, they are high in quality and can exhibit some characteristics of French origin. For instance, some of the clip backs used in the Françoise Montague workshop are shaped like those found on Chanel earrings made during that era. That’s not an end-all identifier, however, because other French jewelry makers used those as well. If you see bead cluster earrings with red, white, and blue hang tags reading “Fabriqué en France,” Stern in fact confirmed years ago that those were not produced at the Françoise Montague workshop.

In a nutshell, it can be hard to peg jewelry made prior to the early 2000s as Françoise Montague. Don’t give up, though, because the company has been producing beautifully constructed styles that are more recognizable since then. Even though some of those were sold only with plastic hang tags, others are indeed marked FM Paris (with FM in script), and some things, like hair combs, have been marked Françoise Montague in full. Some of the materials and designs are distinctive.

The firm’s Lolita double hoop earrings, as one example, can be found both marked and unmarked, and they’ve been made in a host of colors in at least two different sizes. Metal chains and tassels combined with rhinestone rondelles have also been used in quite a few designs. Furthermore, rhinestone rondelles are a telltale sign that a piece may be Françoise Montague, whether they’re used in varying sizes on their own or interspersed between beads on a collar or bracelet.

It’s also the jewelry lover’s good fortune that Françoise Montague is currently producing some pieces that rival vintage poured glass designs marketed in the past by Chanel. In my opinion, these are worth the investment, especially if you have the chance to buy them in Paris. It’s also worth the time to study this brand further because with some diligence and a hint of luck, you’ll indeed discover some great styles offering lots of high-quality bang for your accessorizing buck.

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 vintage sparkle and shine:

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