Live confidently:
Be sure of identity and value. Call your appraiser!
Yearly Archive: 2016
Copernicus: Body-Snatchers and Astronomical Revolution
A couple of weeks ago, I attended a Fellows Lecture by Dr. Karl Galle at Linda Hall Library, “The Unknown Copernicus: Spies, Printers, Amazons, and Body Snatchers in an Age of Astronomical Revolution.” I’ve included a few images from the lecture…
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Austrian Kammerherrn Gold Bullion Chamber Key, Portapee and Case
From the Manion’s years: February 2003 Early 20th century. Gold bullion Austrian double headed eagle mounted over two acorns and bullion twist, for the ‘Kammerherrn Schluessel,’ or master of the chamber. Included original form fitted box by the maker Franz…
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The Value of History at KCEPS: A Recap
Last Thursday and Friday saw the 35th annual Kansas City Estate Planning Symposium set up shop inside the Overland Park Convention Center. The symposium’s goal is as an educational resource for estate planners, wealth managers, trust officers and business advisors…
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Personal Property and Peace of Mind
In 2014, Consumer Reports published a handy flow chart outlining the process of dealing with personal property, or what they called “stuff.” And at the very top, directly beneath the first item, what do we find? “Get an appraisal.” Seems…
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Capturing the Elusive Mercury, April 2016
All observational photos taken 4/13/16 This is the time of year when, because of its proximity to the autumnal equinox, the obliquity, or angle of the ecliptic – the apparent path of the sun across the background stars, is narrow…
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Continental Mask of Infamy, Style Circa 1680
More from my days at Manion’s, sold January 2004: “He who lusts for quarrel and hate shall carry me around the state.” Multi-piece formed steel construction, exaggerated and contorted facial features, hinged with lock to reverse. Used for the public…
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Ten Years Ago: Getting the Hammer at Manion’s International Auction House
It’s been a while since I’ve done a TBT, but today is too good to ignore. In early 1998, I took a job in the ‘description department’ at Manion’s International Auction House. The company specialized in historical militaria and for…
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Comet Hunter David Levy’s Observing Logs at the Linda Hall Library
After finishing an appraisal inspection in midtown Kansas City a last month, I stopped by the Linda Hall Library of Science and Engineering on the UMKC campus. Opened in 1946, the library is privately funded and is “the world’s foremost…
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February 2016 New Moon
Caught the 23 hour old moon tonight on the way to our Cub Scout Pack’s committee meeting tonight.