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Drama of Silhouettes Captivates Collectors

Paper-cut silhouettes have always captivated me. The idea that an artist can create an image of a person or even a complete scene, simply by cutting paper is amazing. Plus, the simple elegance of a black silhouette pasted on white paper is dramatic and makes for great art. That must be why the antique paper-cut silhouettes remain popular with collectors. Even new antique fans are drawn to these images that were first referred to as “shadows.” Often referred to now by the Pennsylvania Dutch or German term of scherenschnitte, paper cutting is an art that requires sharp blades and a ...

Keep Looking Up

Something woke me from a sound sleep. It was not a noise as you might expect at 2:45 a.m. Rather, it was a bright light streaming through the partially opened window blinds in the bedroom. I knew instantly what it was. The moon was in a super mood in that early hour of the day — or night — however you look at a.m. times. Earlier I had stood outside and noticed the full moon as it came bounding over the horizon at dark with a hoot owl announcing its arrival. Seeing it now in all of its splendor, I could not help but smile. How could I be angry at being awakened by something so ...

Antiques Teach Children So Much

When I was a child, my mother gave me lovely doll furniture for my January birthday. Made by a German company Spielwaren Puppen Mobel, the elegant gift is one that I still treasure today. Purchased at the former Stone & Thomas Department Store (likely at the post-Christmas sale), the wooden furniture was created in the style of French Louis XV, with all the twists and turns of Rococo work. The 1960 masterpieces feature working drawers, pink velvet upholstery, lots of roses and gold trim. It includes a bedroom set (with bedding!), sitting room, music room, standing candelabras and a ...

Scary Words From A Five-Year-Old

I had high hopes for 2022 that life would be better. I was certain the vaccine would tamp down the COVID-19 pandemic and life might take a turn toward sunnier days. But I soon learned that the pandemic pales in comparison to the world our young people are living day-to-day. Let me explain. A casual conversation with our 5-year-old grandson recently stopped me in my tracks. He is fascinated with the local firehouse near his school, and I asked if he had fire drills at his elementary school. I knew he would tell me all about it and which fire trucks would come to his school for a ...

Nun, Kitsch Items Offer a Bit of Nostalgia to Collectors

Having been taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph in both parochial and high school, I was charmed when I found a vintage music box statuette in Sib’s consignment shop, located in the Fulton neighborhood of Wheeling. I just had to have it. The black robed nun figurine is attired as I remember the sisters that taught me and stands with three properly dressed altar boys. All four of the figures hold a songbook and are singing. The music box statue plays a song I remember from my youth, “Dominique” by the pop act called “The Singing Nun.” It was 1963-64 that this song climbed ...

The Last ‘Writes’ Are Important

My first job at this newspaper was writing obituaries. I also clipped newspaper stories for all the reporters and editors and kept files that were used extensively by everyone in the newsroom and higher ups. I was proud of the work I did because often the only time a person’s name appeared in the newspaper was when they died. I quickly learned how important it was and still is to give each person an accurate obituary. In the early days of my job on the obit desk, there were none of the modern conveniences of emails and texts. Everything was done one-on-one with the funeral ...