Article Archives: What’s in the Attic?

Millenials Don’t Collect . . . Really?

March 14, 2019 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

Many of the estates that I am called upon to liquidate contain fine china, crystal stemware and sterling table service. Whether purchased during their lifetime or inherited from the previous generation, these cherished pieces have been used only for special occasions and when not in use have been stored for … Read More

Cabin Fever

March 7, 2019 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

Winter brings with it a number of challenges, not the least of which is that dreaded malady, cabin fever. I have found that one of the best solution to this problem is to use my self-imposed exile from the cold to thin down the drawers and closets. If you are … Read More

The Jewel Tea Man

February 28, 2019 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

It was a simple idea, so simple that he couldn’t believe that no one had thought of it before. Frank Vernon Skiff, Chicago resident and employee of the India Tea Company, was discouraged by the conditions under which coffee was sold by the local emporiums. In many cases the beans … Read More

Pop Goes the Retail

February 21, 2019 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

Temporary retail (also known as flash retailing) is projected to turn an amazing 10 billion dollars in 2019, making this the undisputed Year of the Pop-Up. So, what exactly is a pop-up? Pop-ups are short term storefronts or markets which enable merchants to have a temporary physical location to showcase … Read More

Heywood-Wakefield Wicker and Rattan

February 14, 2019 | by Linda Hamer Kennett

I had just finished pricing a 1920s wicker rocker at one of my mall booths when two ladies stopped to take a look. “This says it’s Heywood-Wakefield,” said one of them. “It can’t be,” said the other, “they only made blonde MCM furniture.” This is not an uncommon error. True, … Read More