Antiques Freaks

In the 1960s, the antique belt buckle market was rocked by the sudden appearance of Gilded Age Tiffany belt buckles commemorating such diverse moments as the American Civil War and the construction of the Titanic. Where did they come from? Why were they here? What did they want? One intrepid angry belt buckle collector was determined to find out.

Tussy-mussy. Poesy. Bouquet. Flower arrangement. You won’t believe where the Victorians want you to stick a miniature vase.

Does IKEA and West Elm furniture hold up? (No.) Does used IKEA retain value? (No.) Is West Elm worth the price, even second-hand? (No.) Join the Antiques Freaks for a rousing discussion of why you should spend your furniture dollars elsewhere. (With bonus diversions into the world of American Girl Dolls.)

Our heroes meet Sir Francis Varney face-to-face at last! But is he a vampyre? (Yes.) We are joined this week by our dear friend Olivia! Check out her short speculative fiction and essays at ofcieri.com , and read her new book BACKMASK! 
To instantly unlock a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon .

Behold, the Furby. Animatronic nostalgia or uncanny valley horror? What sort of aftermarket exists for these retro and vintage toys? And why do folks insist on making them long? Dee is joined by Paris of the Terrible Book Club podcast for this exploration into the weird and wild world of Furbies.

When consignment goes just about as wrong as it can go, you get Wendy Halstead Beard and her high art photography gallery of fraud.

The Antiques Freaks went to a book fair! Tune in to hear about our haul, plus tips and tricks for finding cool vintage and antique books in the wild - including The Last Book on the Left; Dinotopia; N. C. Wyeth; autograph books; Moon-Cussers of Cape Cod; Arthur Rackham’s illustrated King Arthur; and the Witch of Wall Street herself, Hetty Green.

"Charles Holland, will you have a vampyre for your bride?" While Ken's voice recovers from respiratory illness, please enjoy this episode from our Varney vaults! 
To instantly unlock a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon .

You asked, we answered! Dee and Ken sit down for a Q&A session with questions provided by listeners like you.

Edwardian, Gilded Age, and Jazz Age furniture designers, against all odds, have produced something practical. The Hoosier cabinet - a charming vintage look perfect for kitchens of yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

What are monteiths? It’s a silver punch bowl from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. But WHO is Monteith? We just don’t know. Or do we???

Daniel (as heard in our Magic: the Gathering episode) returns to teach the Antiques Freaks about a different kind of magic - the kind stored in ancient tomes that can only be found through secret covenants with ancient societies of tricksters. Y’know, magicians. Books with magician tricks in them. We swear we’re not doing real magic. Honest.

Once upon a time Corelle debuted a simple design of golden flowers and butterflies. For years they languished in the kitchen cabinets of unsuspecting households. Then everything changed when Taylor Swift released her Anti-Hero video. Now mid-century American dishes are the talk of the town. But is it safe? (No.)

Please enjoy this episode from our Varney vaults, wherein Charles Holland turns us all into Hollandaise. 
To instantly unlock a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon for bonus episodes.

Antiques in books? Sure. Antiques in movies? Why not. Antiques in video games? Now you have our attention! Join internationally-renowned antiques conservator Mia Faircroft in the Faircroft's Antiques series and learn how NOT to restore a medieval suit of armor.

How do you measure a tape? Once upon a time we had to drag a chain across a field uphill both ways. But now with the modern convenience of a vintage or antique tape measure, we know precisely how long all our tapes are.

Due to a family emergency we are unable to post a regular episode this week. Instead, please enjoy this chapter from our Varney vaults, wherein an unexpected return plunges both characters and podcasters into hysterics. 
To instantly unlock a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon for bonus episodes.

From practical tea-time necessity to collectible glassware plague upon the local antiques industry, cup plates have gone on an incredible journey throughout history. Stay tuned for the laughing sheep!

Dee has all the deets you could possibly want about bridal baskets just in time for wedding season. Ken has an actual real-life fever. Who will win? You, dear listener. Always you.

Once upon a time, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote something besides Sherlock Holmes. (Shocking, we know.) What if you went to medical school in the 1880s and also your dormitory neighbor had an ancient Egyptian mummy? Chris and Paris have joined the Antiques Freaks to answer this most daring question. CONTENT WARNING for Victorian racism and Orientalism.

Frankly, she’s Lisa. Iconic rainbow graphic design from the 80s, 90s, 00s, and beyond! It’s vintage Trapper Keepers, stickers, pens, pencils, cookie jars, backpacks, and so much more—featuring beloved characters like Markie the unicorn, Rainbow the horse, Hunter the leopard, and also the weird Y2K aliens that no one likes to look at but everyone wants to own. Which one is worth three hundred bucks...

When is the frame worth more than the picture within? Tune in for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about antique picture frames but were too afraid to ask!

A family emergency precluded this week’s regularly scheduled antiques. Instead, please enjoy this chapter from our Varney vaults, wherein leaving Flora alone at home with two guns was probably the best plan the Bannerworth brothers ever had. To instantly unlock a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon for bonus episodes.

Ice-bound. In the wind. Iron-sick. All these nautical terms and more defined in this chapter of the Sailor’s Word Book!

20th-century kitsch turned 21st-century trend! Just watch that mineral oil drip down that fishing line and boggle at the price tag.