Antiques

A family reunites after the death of its patriarch just as a hurricane tears through town in this “sparklingly funny novel about love, power, money, and adult siblings finding the beating heart of what matters most: one another” (People). On the night of a massive hurricane, three estranged siblings learn that their father is dying. For the first time in years, they convene at their childhood home in upstate New York, where the storm has downed power lines, flooded houses, and destroyed the family’s antique store. The Westfalls are no strangers to dysfunction. But never have their lives felt so out of control. Armie is living in their parents’ basement. In Manhattan, Josef, a sex-addicted techie, is struggling to repair his broken relationship with his daughters. Their sister, Charlie, who works in Hollywood as a publicist for a wayward young actress, just learned that her son has been expelled from preschool. Amid the storm, they come together to plan their father’s memorial service, only to learn his dying wish—they must sell his priceless Magritte painting. As their failures are laid bare, they discover that hope often lurks in the darkest of places. And so, too, can hilarity. Complete with an irresistible plot and deeply flawed, affectionately rendered characters, Kris D’Agostino’s “sharp, funny [novel] conveys the disorienting and ever-shifting effects of grief” (The New York Times) and the unexpected epiphanies that emerge in chaos. This “darkly humorous portrait of the American family under duress…balances scathing and humorous commentary on the foibles of family with keen insight” (Publishers Weekly). Perfect for “fans of funny family dysfunction novels like Jonathan Tropper’s This Is Where I Leave You...and Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s The Nest” (Booklist), The Antiques is a heartbreaking, nimble, laugh-out-loud funny send-up of modern family life.

The fourth work in the widely acclaimed, laugh-out-loud Trash n' Treasures series by the husband-and-wife writing team, "New York Times"-bestselling author Max Allan Collins and mystery-writer Barbara Collins.

"Homesteading the Plains offers a bold new look at the history of homesteading, overturning what for decades has been the orthodox scholarly view. The authors begin by noting the striking disparity between the public's perception of homesteading as a cherished part of our national narrative and most scholars' harshly negative and dismissive treatment. Homesteading the Plains reexamines old data and draws from newly available digitized records to reassess the current interpretation's four principal tenets: homesteading was a minor factor in farm formation, with most Western farmers purchasing their land; most homesteaders failed to prove up their claims; the homesteading process was rife with corruption and fraud; and homesteading caused Indian land dispossession. Using data instead of anecdotes and focusing mainly on the nineteenth century, Homesteading the Plainsdemonstrates that the first three tenets are wrong and the fourth only partially true. In short, the public's perception of homesteading is perhaps more accurate than the one scholars have constructed. Homesteading the Plainsprovides the basis for an understanding of homesteading that is startlingly different from current scholarly orthodoxy. "--

Explore the world of coffee antiques with over 500 color photographs illustrating more than a thousand items. From grinders to coffee cans, posters to coffee makers, this is a varied collection from around the world, covering over 100 years and ranging from the most mundane to the most exotic. The items in each photo are carefully described, and a current market value is given for each.

Showcases a broad array of horse-related items from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including many striking art deco pieces. Here are figurines, planters, lamps, plates, books and bookends, ashtrays, advertising pieces, glassware, tapestries, vintage pamphlets, illustrations, magazine covers, artwork, show ribbons and trophies, jewelry, belt buckles, and more. Includes tips on collecting, values, index, bibliography.

Tells how to investigate the history of furniture, silver, jewelry, clocks, toys, and books, and how to select an appraiser

“Sixteen dealers, sixteen keys. What a nightmare!” exclaimed the detective. A body has been discovered in a blanket chest at Cider Run Antiques. Could there be a murderer among the dealers at the popular and picturesque shop? Marv, retired history professor and founding partner, doesn’t think so, even though these are people with strong passions about antiques – and occasionally each other. Things had gone so well the first two years, the historic 18th-century stone building a perfect backdrop to showcase antiques. Everyone was enthusiastic, antiques-savvy, and caught up in their new venture. The shop was a stunning success. Yet there must have been something beneath the surface of high-spirited banter and good times, something unseen that would culminate in tragedy. The dealers decide to hold a marathon talk session to help solve the murder, but will the answer destroy Cider Run? Antiques To Die For is both a mystery and a glimpse into the dynamics of a thriving antiques business. Set in the Appalachians of central Pennsylvania, the story combines history, antiques lore, lively shop interplay, and collectors’ obsessions to tell its tale.

The lure of antiques, an unfolding love affair, mystery and malice, set in an achingly beautiful remote location. It’s said that Cross County keeps its secrets. The detective spread out his hands in a gesture of defeat. “They didn’t want our report; they’d do their own investigation. My chief told me to leave things alone, given Cross County’s reputation for insularity and truculence.” Deep in the Appalachians of southern Pennsylvania lies Cross County, its coal mines closed decades ago, leaving it poor and struggling. Until now. Thanks to the rich Marcellus Shale gas deposits, the county is having an economic boom, and the financially strapped Colton Area School District is starting to recover. Then someone sets fire to one of the elementary schools, and among the ashes are found the charred remains of the district Superintendent. Jerry noted the frenetic activity as he drove into Colton to take the job of Acting Superintendent. This wasn’t your usual down-at-the-heels rural school district, he thought, his interest growing. Things were buzzing, and as Superintendent he’d get to harness that buzz to make real improvements in education. And, astonishingly, find himself in love. But he’d also have to deal with old resentments, new opportunism, entrenched loyalties, and a long tradition of … arson. By the author of Antiques To Die For, the first book in a series on antiques and murder.