Origins of Auction Houses Auction houses have a rich history dating back thousands of years. The concept of auctions can be traced to ancient Greece, where they were used to sell goods, property etc. The Romans also conducted auctions for a variety of purposes, including the sale of assets seized from conquered territories. During the Middle Ages, auctions became more formalised in Europe, particularly in England. Auctioneers were appointed by the government to oversee the sale of goods, often in public squares or town halls. As trade and commerce expanded during the Renaissance, auctions beca ..read more

Understanding Ephemera Ephemera is a fascinating category of collectibles encompassing a wide array of transient materials, typically designed for short-term use and intended to be discarded after use. Despite their disposable nature, ephemera hold significant historical, cultural, and social value. Examples include tickets, brochures, postcards, posters, menus, playbills, and trading cards, among others. What distinguishes ephemera is their ability to capture moments in time, offering glimpses into past lives, events, and societal norms. Ephemera are often characterised by their evocative des ..read more

Origins and Early Development of Funko Pops Funko Pops, those adorable vinyl figures with oversized heads and captivating designs, have become a cultural phenomenon since their inception. The story begins in 1998 when Mike Becker founded Funko, a company initially focused on creating nostalgic bobblehead figures. However, it wasn’t until 2010 that Funko Pops as we know them today made their debut. The first wave of Funko Pops featured characters from various popular franchises, including comics, movies, and television shows. The simplicity of the design, combined with the diverse range of char ..read more

Introduction The term “ghetto blaster” typically refers to a large, portable stereo system that gained popularity in the late 1970s and 1980s. These devices were characterised by their powerful speakers, often accompanied by a radio tuner and cassette tape player. The ghetto blaster played a significant role in the cultural and musical history of the time. History Origin: The ghetto blaster emerged in the urban neighbourhoods, particularly in African American and Latino communities, hence the term “ghetto blaster.” It was initially a tool for playing music at community events, parties, and gat ..read more

Origins and Early History of Costume Jewellery Costume jewellery, also known as fashion or imitation jewellery, has a rich history dating back to ancient civilisations. The concept of adorning oneself with non-precious materials for aesthetic purposes can be traced to ancient Egypt, where people used glass beads and coloured stones to create jewellery. In ancient Rome, women adorned themselves with glass and paste jewellery as a way to emulate the luxury of precious gemstones. During the Renaissance, the popularity of costume jewellery surged in Europe. The use of faux pearls and coloured glas ..read more

Origins of Fortune Telling Fortune telling, also known as divination, has a rich and varied history that spans across cultures and civilizations. Its origins can be traced back to ancient times when people sought to understand the mysteries of life and predict the future. One of the earliest forms of fortune telling can be found in ancient China, where oracle bones were used to make predictions by interpreting the cracks on the bones after they were heated. Similarly, in ancient Mesopotamia, diviners would observe the patterns in oil poured into water to make predictions. In ancient Greece, th ..read more

The Birth of the Acme Whistle The history of the Acme whistle dates back to the 1870’s when Joseph Hudson, a toolmaker from Birmingham, England, began experimenting with various designs. His aim was to create a more reliable and effective whistle. Hudson’s innovation was driven by a growing need for improved signalling devices, especially in industrial and sporting contexts. In 1883, Hudson established the Acme Whistle Company, marking the official beginning of a legacy that would span decades. The Acme whistle quickly gained popularity for its consistent and powerful sound. Unlike its predece ..read more

Introduction We start 2024 with a blog about Feng Shui, why? I hear you ask. You have heard of the expression “New Year, new me” and the big clean and tidying away of the festive items. As humans we like to think a clear mind not only starts with our way of thinking, but also how our environment, our personal space looks. The feeling of a clear and clean mind to allow the positive energy to flow resonates in the space around us. So lets take a look further into the art of Feng Shui. Origins and Historical Development of Feng Shui Feng Shui, which translates to “wind and water” in English, has ..read more

Introduction The modern celebration of Christmas has evolved over centuries and is influenced by a combination of religious, cultural, and historical factors. While the roots of Christmas can be traced back to ancient pagan and religious celebrations, the modern Christmas celebration has been shaped by various traditions and customs. Here is a brief overview of the history of modern Christmas. Pagan Winter Solstice Celebrations Many Christmas traditions have their origins in pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. In pre-Christian Europe, people celebrated the return of longer days and the ..read more

The Stereoscope The stereoscope was invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone in 1838. It was one of the earliest devices designed to create a three-dimensional illusion from a pair of two-dimensional images. Wheatstone’s stereoscope utilized the principle of stereopsis, which is the ability of the brain to perceive depth and dimension from the slightly different perspectives provided by each eye. Wheatstone’s invention involved using pairs of hand-drawn images that were viewed through a special optical apparatus. Each image was slightly offset to mimic the perspective seen by each eye. When viewed t ..read more