Northwest Collector

‘Dealer’s Special Pick’: Kol Shaver, Zephyr Used and Rare Books

David Chesanow — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:49:42 +0000

Welcome to the first of a new feature here on Northwest Collector: Dealer’s Special Pick, in which an interesting item of my choosing in a collectibles dealer’s inventory is showcased! Our first dealer is Kol Shaver of Zephyr Used and Rare Books (http://www.zephyrusedandrarebooks.com), located in Vancouver, Washington, here in the Pacific Northwest. Kol got into ... Read more

The post ‘Dealer’s Special Pick’: Kol Shaver, Zephyr Used and Rare Books appeared first on Northwest Collector.

Butch Cassidy wanted flyer: The upshot

David Chesanow — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:15:32 +0000

In case you missed it, the 1901 Pinkerton wanted flyer for Butch Cassidy and fellow gang members that Freeman’s auctioned off on January 29 realized $12,800 including the buyer’s premium. The estimate was $8,000 to $12,000, so it didn’t do badly at all, although I expected it to go for more, based on earlier auction ... Read more

The post Butch Cassidy wanted flyer: The upshot appeared first on Northwest Collector.

Where have you gone, Butch Cassidy?

David Chesanow — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 19:39:30 +0000

Just when I thought I’d said pretty much all I had to say (for now, anyway) about wanted posters, I’m eager to report that Freeman’s in Philadelphia (FreemansAuction.com), in their Printed and Manuscript Americana auction on January 29, will be auctioning a rare Pinkerton flyer for Butch Cassidy, Harry Longbaugh (aka the Sundance Kid), and ... Read more

The post Where have you gone, Butch Cassidy? appeared first on Northwest Collector.

Life is ephemeral!

David Chesanow — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 21:48:33 +0000

I love ephemera. If you don’t know what that is, Merriam-Webster.com provides this definition: “items (such as posters, broadsides, and tickets) originally meant to be discarded after use but that later become collectibles.” One thing I love about ephemera is that you can collect it specifically—say, Old West wanted posters and postcards, the subject of ... Read more

The post Life is ephemeral! appeared first on Northwest Collector.

More on the return of Carlisle Indian School students’ remains

David Chesanow — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 03:28:24 +0000

The Carlisle Indian Industrial School cemetery circa 1990. the cemetery was relocated in 1927. Image courtesy of Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections. Here are the replies to a series of questions that I asked the Office of Army Cemeteries at the end of August regarding the return of the remains of students who died at ... Read more

The post More on the return of Carlisle Indian School students’ remains appeared first on Northwest Collector.

REMEMBER THEIR FACES! Carlisle Indian School students’ remains to be disinterred, returned to tribes

David Chesanow — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:59:13 +0000

After well over a century, the remains of nineteen Native children and young adults who died at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, will be disinterred, beginning tomorrow, September 3, and returned to the tribes they came from. One student was from the Seminole tribe; the other eighteen were from the Cheyenne and ... Read more

The post REMEMBER THEIR FACES! Carlisle Indian School students’ remains to be disinterred, returned to tribes appeared first on Northwest Collector.

8 tips for shopping for rare books online

David Chesanow — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:07:55 +0000

Having posted two stories titled “How to Deal with Dealers,” parts 1 and 2, I feel I should reiterate: I am not at war with dealers. Everyone has a right to make a profit on their labor and/or knowledge, and collectibles dealers are no exception. I personally know many fair, square, upfront dealers in a ... Read more

The post 8 tips for shopping for rare books online appeared first on Northwest Collector.

Dealing with dealers, Part 2

David Chesanow — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:14:14 +0000

After you learn as much as you possibly can about an item you want to sell or consign, the next step is finding a prospective buyer or an auction house that will not just put your treasure on the block but get you a good price for it. In order to advance to that stage, ... Read more

The post Dealing with dealers, Part 2 appeared first on Northwest Collector.

Dealing with dealers, Part 1

David Chesanow — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:39:24 +0000

The following post focuses on selling to dealers. I’ll preface it by saying that I’ve met some incredibly nice dealers over the years, so please don’t think I’ve got a thing against dealers in general. They are just like other people: some are wonderful people and some are money-grubbing, unscrupulous sociopaths. Both kinds are in ... Read more

The post Dealing with dealers, Part 1 appeared first on Northwest Collector.

Hollywood and the thing with . . .

David Chesanow — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:36:57 +0000

The original photographic wanted poster.

The post Hollywood and the thing with . . . appeared first on Northwest Collector.