| Does 'MAD' Need a Museum?
In The Great Comic Book Heroes a greatly comic and, in its way, heroic book Jules Feiffer describes the odd spectacle of middle-aged men "who continue to be addicts, who save old comic books, buy them, trade them, and will, many of them, pay up to fifty dollars for the first issues of Superman or Batman." He wrote this in 1965. Since then, the comic-book collectibles market has exploded. In 2005, according to the Wall Street Journal, "A near-perfect 'Action Comics' No. 1, the book that launched Superman, lists for $485,000, up from $200,000 five years ago." That's nearly a 5 million percent markup from the 1938 street price of 10 cents. In 2002 Nicolas Cage, who had taken his stage name from Luke Cage, the first black comic-book super hero, got $1.68 million for his comics collection, which included an issue that introduced Batman's sidekick Robin and another that convened the first super-hero team, the Justice Society of America.
Room jewelry
Antique brasses on valuable old tables, secretaries, buffets and breakfronts are not to be trifled with or their antique value might drop dramatically. Ever witness the heartbreak of hopefuls appearing on "Antiques Roadshow" when they're told that their furniture would have been worth $50,000, except for the lame hardware replacing the originals? So don't go replacing any drawer pulls, hinges, cabinet doorknobs, locks or latches on family heirlooms or furniture purchased at auction. A new chest of drawers might benefit from a hardware upgrade or style switch, or most any piece from a flea market or yard sale. And isn't it just too easy and fun to switch out the hardware on lesser items around the house, such as drawer knobs on a bedroom chest from childhood, or a piece of unfinished furniture you've nicely painted that's ready for some jewelry do-dahs on the drawers or doors? Bona Decorative Hardware in Oakley always offered me plenty of choices for ceramic knobs of all colors, sizes and shapes - button-flat or spherical - and multiple metal selections - copper, brass, chrome, black iron, bronze-colored...
Park Meadow getting new, remodeled stores
Four new stores are slated for spring openings at Park Meadows mall in Lone Tree, the center said Tuesday. M.A.C. Cosmetics, which operates one store at Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver, plus several department store counters at Nordstrom, Dillards and Macys, will open its second Colorado store. The Apple Store, Aldo Shoes and Swarovski Crystals will also open this spring. Additionally, Victorias Secret, Zumiez and Hot Topic are expanding their mall space, while others including Bath & Body Works and Brighton Collectibles are remodeling. Park Meadows and its owner, General Growth Properties Inc., have not yet announced any tenants for the 154,000 square feet of outdoor retail slated to open next year. .
Take a peek inside the Antiques & Garden Show
It may not feel like it outside, but spring has sprung at the Nashville Convention Center, host to the 17th Annual Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville through Sunday. The show features six elaborate gardens, created by Nashvilles leading landscape designers. In keeping with this years show theme, "Masterpiece, each garden is inspired by a famous painting from Sandro Botticellis 15th century Primavera to Grant Woods 1930 American Gothic. .
Man charged in holdup try deemed dangerous
SALEM - A man charged with attempting to rob an antiques dealer, only to have a coffee mug slammed into his face, had been paroled just days before the holdup, his lawyer said, and had been drinking heavily.
Steven Donarumo, 27, was ordered held without bail yesterday after a hearing in Salem District Court, where a judge heard testimony from the antiques dealer and a police officer who responded to the 911 call. Read this article in full with a
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