Wedding Cake Toppers By Donald-Brian Johnson The sun shines merrily, in a brilliant blue sky. The birds are chirping, the church bells ring. The radiant bride and her glowing groom have at last shouldered their way through the shower of…
By Donald-Brian Johnson • Photos by Leslie Piña “Art Deco was the last truly sumptuous style.” – Alastair Duncan, Art Deco, 1988 Art Deco. It isn’t all black and white. Or zigzags and chrome. Or uncluttered lines and…
by Donald-Brian Johnson “Do you think that progress will be swayed By the tea-kettle that this man has made? This Iron Horse?” – Edward Hungerford, Railroads On Parade, 1939 The theme of the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair…
By Donald-Brian Johnson A lady of my acquaintance collects souvenirs with a vengeance. If she’s seen it, visited it, or done it, she has the refrigerator magnet (or T-shirt, or coffee mug, or snow globe, or … well, you…
Nativity Sets Around The World by Donald-Brian Johnson | Photos by Leslie Piña “And it came to pass while they were there, the days for her to be delivered were fulfilled. And she bought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped…
Photos and story by Donald-Brian Johnson “You’ll find collecting Hallmark Dolls is really lots of fun, and here’s a little album with a place for every one!” – Hallmark, 1948 Over the years, almost every person of note (or notoriety)…
The Good Ol’ Country Store by Donald-Brian Johnson Kitchenalia. It comes in many forms, and collectors often focus on just one category. Salt-and-peppers, for instance. Or whistle mugs. Perhaps pie birds, egg timers, or vintage advertising catch your fancy. There…
Fused Glass from the Fabulous ‘50s Text by Donald-Brian Johnson; Photos by Leslie Pina Stardust, Barbaric Jewels, Arabesque, Mandarin. The titles glow with color and imagination. The glass objects they refer to make good on that promise. This is Higgins…
The World of Washday Collectibles by Donald-Brian Johnson Some folks collect teacups. Or thimbles. Maybe even swizzle sticks. Tiny treasures that are compact, easy to display, and even easier to store. Other folks collect washing machines. And dryers. And washer-dryers.…
The Early Days of Classic Cars Story & photos by Donald-Brian Johnson “Come away with me, Lucille, In my merry Oldsmobile. Down the road of life we’ll fly- Automobubbling, you and I!” -Vincent P. Bryan & Gus Edwards, 1905 Ah,…
Collecting Broadway Musical Cast Albums Photos and Article by Donald-Brian Johnson Get out those old records, Those old phonograph records, The ones we used to play so long ago. What if they sound scratchy? The tunes really were catchy Especially…
Captivated by Crackle Glass Story by Donald-Brian Johnson; Photos by Leslie Pina “Look, look, look to the rainbow- Follow it over the hill and stream. Look, look, look to the rainbow- Follow the fellow who follows a dream.” E.Y. “Yip”…
