Kyle’s Corner

Kyle, Bill and Frank Sinatra's Hat

Kyle (left) and Bulldog Bill Feingold (right) with a guest from the second show who brought along Frank Sinatra’s hat.

Of all the treasures that have been uncovered on the show thus far, without question, the one that towers over all the others is our resident appraiser, Kyle Husfloen. Indeed, the show would not be possible without credible appraisers like Kyle. But we are truly fortunate and honored to have someone of Kyle’s calibre on board. His command of the collectibles arena is truly astounding. Not only does he bring an encyclopedic knowledge to bear, but he also brings a breadth of knowledge the size of Texas. His gentle manner and dry wit have won him many admirers.

Originally from Washington state, Kyle studied at the Sorbonne and Western Washington University. From 1972, he worked for Antique Trader Publications based in Dubuque, Iowa. That company was taken over by Krause Publications, who in turn were taken over by F&W Media. In a move that beggars belief, Kyle’s position fell victim to that blight on American corporate life, "downsizing". So, in 2008, F&W felt that they could get by just fine without Kyle … and how have media companies fared since then? Just join the dots, my friends, just join the dots.

 

As you can imagine, Kyle’s resume is quite extensive and has many highlights. These include (but are not limited to):

  • Editor of the annual Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide (21 editions through 2009 Edition).
  • Editor-at-Large with Antique Trader Weekly (10 years).
  • Special feature, "Emptying the Attic" was Encyclopedia Britannica’s Book of the Year, 1981.
  • Author of "Collector’s Guide to American Pressed Glass, 1825-1915," Wallace-Homestead Book Company, 1992.

         [New and used copies are available at Amazon.]

  • Instructor, "History of American Glass", Appraisal Studies Program, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 1995-2001
  • Founder – Galena African-American Heritage Foundation – 1998.
  • Guest lecturer on Glass Design, National American Glass Club Spring Seminar, Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA, 1997.
  • Editor: "Wedding Traditions – Here Comes the Bride" (1997).

         [New and used copies are available at Amazon.]

  • Editor: "Fifty Years of Collectible Glass, 1920-70," Volumes I & II (1997 & 2000).

         [New and used copies are available at Amazon.]

Kyle and Bill and Graham

Kyle (left) and Bulldog Bill Feingold (right) with Graham, a guest from the fourth show, who brought along an immaculate flintlock pistol.

No explanation is offered for the pinball machine in the background.

Now, with a CV like that, you would think that Kyle would have to beat off prospective employer’s with a large stick. Sadly this has not been the case thus far – it can only be that the word has not gotten out. So, any employers out there, and it doesn’t have to be in collectible/antiques area, if you’re looking for someone who would be a real asset and an ornament to your organization, look no further. Kyle can be contacted through the Contact Us page.

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Though the show is still, hopefully, in its infancy, already a number of surprises have come to light. We will share some of these stories here in Kyle’s Corner. Check back from time to time as we rotate new stories in. And perhaps you should check the attic – you know you’ve been meaning to. Maybe we could be reading about you here in the near future…

 

 

Life Yet in This Still Life

Apples by Charles Ethan Porter

From Kyle’s notes for the first show:

When Mr. Combs brought this painting in, I just thought it was a nice Victorian still life. As I did research, I learned that the artist was Charles Ethan Porter (1847-1923), an African-American and a popular still life painter in the late 19th century. I was able to do some additional research on what his works are selling for today and determined that a value range of $20,000 to $30,000 was appropriate.

As Kyle notes, and as the owner himself also thought, this appeared to be just "yet another Victorian still life". You can see Mr. Combs’ surprise and delight when he learns that it is considerably more than that.
You can watch this clip in segment 1 of the first show here.

 

The postscript to the story sees Mr. Combs send his painting off to Nadeau’s Auction Gallery in CT. They are auctioning it on March 27th. And, in fact, are using the painting as the headline piece for the auction. Well done all!

Role Reversal: Bank Bails Out Owner!

The Stump Speaker - Mechanical Bank

From Kyle’s notes for the third show:

Mr. Ed Carlmark of Palm Springs brought in a figural cast-iron mechanical bank from the late 19th century. He only knew that it had been handed down in his family. I believe he thought it might be valued for a few hundred dollars. This bank turned out to be one called "The Stump Speaker" that features a black man wearing a top hat and standing next to a carpet bag that opens to accept the money when it is activated. His bank had very good paint and I was able to determine it could sell in the $1,500 to $2,500 range.

As Kyle noted, Mr. Carlmark thought that perhaps his mechanical bank might be worth a few hundred dollars, perhaps even $500. Well his bank turned out to be an original Shepard Hardware Stump Speaker mechanical bank. This bank was patented in 1886 by Charles Shepard and Peter Adams. Though of somewhat questionable taste today, these banks have quite a history and are eminently collectible. By virtue of its perfect mechanical state and still having much of the original paintwork, Mr. Carlmark’s bank it turns out is a quite desirable item.

You can watch this clip in segment 1 of the third show here.