Beer cans aren’t just containers — they’re time capsules. From bold graphics to quirky instructions, vintage cans capture the history of brewing, marketing, and even everyday life in America. On September 28, 2025, Morean Auctions will host a dedicated sale in Brimfield, Massachusetts, featuring more than 250 lots of rare beer cans and breweriana. For collectors and design enthusiasts alike, it’s a chance to see, and possibly own, some of the rarest examples in the hobby. A Brief History of Beer Cans The first beer can was introduced in 1935, forever changing how people consumed their favorite brew. Early cans came in different styles, from cone tops that mimicked bottles to flat tops that required a special opener known as a “church key.” Breweries used cans not only for practicality but also as miniature billboards; bright, colorful, and ...Read More

In the late 16th century, as Europe’s Age of Discovery unfolded, one man helped the world see itself more clearly: Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598). A Flemish geographer, Ortelius forever changed cartography with the publication of his groundbreaking atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World), first issued in 1570. Before Ortelius, maps circulated as individual sheets, beautiful but fragmented. His genius was to bring them together in a single, uniform volume. Drawing from the best geographic sources of his day, Ortelius created a cohesive, standardized world view, making knowledge accessible to merchants, scholars, and explorers alike. For this achievement, he is remembered as the “Father of the Modern Atlas.” Ortelius was also a man ahead of his time. In his notes, he observed how the coastlines of Europe, Africa, and the Ameri...Read More

On September 27, 2025, Dana Auctions will present A Legacy in Stitches: The Ellen Rosenbach Collection. With more than 170 quilts spanning four decades, this landmark auction celebrates a lifetime of artistry. Ellen Schargel Rosenbach, inventor of Applipops® and a nationally recognized quilt artist, is celebrated for her technical mastery and her reimagining of historic quilt traditions. From 19th-century medallion reproductions to her signature circle motifs, Rosenbach’s work embodies both reverence for quilt history and bold artistic voice. For collectors, the breadth of this single-artist sale is extraordinary; offering an unprecedented chance to acquire pieces that bridge contemporary artistry with centuries-old traditions. While every lot tells a story, four quilts stand out as especially evocative examples of her vision: Tree of Life ...Read More

From Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day, engagement season is in full swing. In fact, nearly 40% of proposals happen during the holidays, when family gatherings and festive celebrations create the perfect backdrop for popping the question. If you’re planning a proposal this year, the most important decision, after choosing your partner, of course, is choosing the ring. More and more couples are turning to vintage and estate jewelry to find a ring that feels truly special. Unlike mass-produced designs from big-box retailers, these pieces carry a sense of history, craftsmanship, and romance that can’t be replicated. Buying at auction makes the experience even more exciting, offering access to iconic makers like Cartier and Tiffany & Co., along with unique diamond settings you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s why estate jewelry is the perfect cho...Read More

On September 18, 2025 at 10am, STAIR presents Recollections: The Chinese Porcelain Company, a single-owner auction celebrating the enduring taste and influence of The Chinese Porcelain Company and its founders, Khalil Rizk and Pierre Durand. Founded in 1984, The Chinese Porcelain Company quickly rose to the pinnacle of New York’s art and antiques world. With a focus on quality above all else, the gallery offered a refined mix of Old Master paintings, European furniture, Venetian glass, contemporary artisan-designed objects, and Asian works of art. Rizk and Durand’s discerning eye and flair for presentation made the gallery not just a mercantile enterprise but a world of elegance and refinement; a vision that continues to resonate with collectors today. Interior designer Robert Couturier recalls his early encounters with Khalil Rizk: “Khalil...Read More

Few weaving traditions are as celebrated as those from Tabriz, one of Iran’s oldest carpet-producing cities. Located in northwestern Iran, Tabriz has been a center of rug making for centuries, dating back to the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century. The city’s workshops, often supported by royal patronage, became famous for producing rugs with exceptional artistry, intricate designs, and technical mastery. A Legacy of Craftsmanship Tabriz rugs are known for their high knot density, often exceeding 400 knots per square inch, allowing weavers to create incredibly detailed patterns. Their designs range from medallion and floral motifs to hunting scenes and even architectural or cartographic imagery. Materials vary from wool to pure silk, sometimes blended to achieve both durability and sheen. Collectors value Tabriz rugs for their combination o...Read More

Turner Auctions + Appraisals presents a remarkable opportunity for collectors and history enthusiasts this September with the sale of the Edwin W. Sims Collection of Political Ephemera. Offering a fascinating glimpse into American politics and culture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the collection includes rare correspondence, photographs, campaign memorabilia, and more—many directly tied to Sims’ storied legal and political career. Who Was Edwin W. Sims? Born in 1870, Edwin W. Sims rose from small-town roots to become one of the most influential attorneys in Chicago. Appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt as U.S. District Attorney for Northern Illinois, Sims became a nationally known “trust buster,” famously taking on John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil. He also played a pivotal role in shaping early 20th-century law, infl...Read More

For centuries, Limoges porcelain has been prized for its refinement, artistry, and French charm. What began in the late 18th century as a royal manufactory has grown into one of the most enduring names in decorative arts. The four works featured here in upcoming sales at Bidsquare, spanning 19th-century enamels and perfume bottles to modern Fabergé collaborations, illustrate how Limoges continues to inspire collectors worldwide. From Royal Roots to Collectors’ Favorites The story of Limoges porcelain begins in the 1770s, when deposits of kaolin clay were discovered near the city of Limoges. This fine white clay gave artisans the ability to produce porcelain that rivaled Chinese and German examples in strength and beauty. With royal support, Limoges quickly became a center of porcelain production, known for both tableware and decorative piec...Read More

In Brunk Auction’s upcoming sale, American & Southern on September 11, 2025 at 9am CT, three pieces by artist Winfred Rembert will be up for auction. Winfred Rembert (1945–2021) is a  self-taught artist whose powerful storytelling was carved into leather. His work offers an unflinching yet celebratory record of African American life in the segregated South.  A Voice Carved in Leather Born in Cuthbert, Georgia, Rembert grew up in poverty and worked long hours in cotton fields. As a young man, he was arrested during a Civil Rights demonstration, survived a near-lynching, and served years on a prison chain gang. While incarcerated, he learned to tool and dye leather; a skill that became the foundation of his art. Photo: Renan Ozturk, Courtesy Hauser & Wirth Using leather instead of canvas, Rembert developed a distinctive practice of carving, s...Read More

Few names in British ceramics carry the prestige and enduring appeal of Royal Doulton. For more than two centuries, the company has been synonymous with fine craftsmanship, innovative design, and artistic excellence. Today, Royal Doulton pieces are cherished by collectors worldwide, celebrated for both their beauty and their rich history. The History of Royal Doulton The story begins in 1815, when John Doulton, along with partners John Watts and Martha Jones, established a pottery business in Lambeth, South London. Initially producing utilitarian stoneware such as drainpipes and storage jars, the company soon distinguished itself for quality and innovation. By the mid-19th century, under the guidance of John’s son Henry Doulton, the firm embraced artistic pottery, collaborating with designers and artists to produce decorative wares that app...Read More