Antiques

Resources in this category:

Antique Automobile Club of America
http://www.aaca.org/

Site of the Antique Automobile Club of America. "The aim of the AACA is the perpetuation of the pioneer days of automobiling by furthering the interest in and preserving of antique automobiles, and the promotion of sportsmanship and of good fellowship among all AACA members." Includes links to local chapters, forums, photo galleries, tour information and recent news.

Antique Bottle Collectors Haven
http://www.antiquebottles.com/

"Web site for Antique Bottle Collectors. Info on bottle clubs, shows, books, auctions, for sale, wanted, questions, and much more."

Antique Telephone Collectors Association
http://atcaonline.com/

Has many interesting facts about the history of the telephone, a listing of phone shows, and links to individual member homepages; also included are two listservs you can join and information on how to become a member of ATCA.

Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal
http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/48439

So, you've inherited a wonderful whats-it from your great aunt Verbena. Or perhaps you bought a terrific thing-a-ma-jig at a garage sale. But what is it, and more importantly, what is it worth? Read on, and find the way to begin your research in the following IPL pathfinder.

Antiques Oronoco
http://www.antiques-oronoco.com/

"This is a list of some of the types of antiques one might collect with links to images and information." Includes tips for new antique collectors.

The Classic Typewriter Page
http://staff.xu.edu/~polt/typewriters/index.html

"Devoted to marvelous mechanical writing machines of the past, the site offers information about collecting typewriters, repairing and restoring them, and the history of their development. Site author Richard Polt shares his ruminations on the metaphysical significance of the typewriter and how it affects the process of writing. Heady stuff indeed."

The Ephemera Society of America
http://www.ephemerasociety.org/

A non-profit organization devoted to furthering the collection, study, and preservation of ephemera (paper items). Examples include advertising trade cards, auction broadsides, posters, greeting cards, tickets, invitations, sheet music, and candy boxes. The society’s webpage includes many illustrative examples of ephemera, online exhibits, articles, Q&A’s, upcoming events, and membership information.

The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors
http://www.fohbc.com/

"The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) is a non-profit organization for collectors of historical bottles and related collectible items." Its "primary goal is educational as it relates to the history and manufacture of historical bottles and related artifacts." This website has a wealth of information about collecting bottles. There is an extensive reference section of books and magazines, a listing of affiliated clubs by U.S. and Canadian geographic regions, a calendar of shows and auctions, and a collectors database searchable alphabetically by name, region, and even by the types of bottles they collect.

Glass Insulators
http://www.insulators.info/

Online resources for collectors of glass insulators. Includes an FAQ, a glossary, online articles, photographs, and club and show information. Searchable.

The International Photographic Historical Organization
http://www.well.com/user/silver/

The International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO) was created in 1985. It aims to be a source of "learning about the evolution of the art, science, and technology of photography, as well as provide practical information on the care, collecting, and appraisal of vintage photographica." Site has information on The Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (the "IDCC"), a moderated membership group whose focus is the collecting, preserving, and using antique and classic cameras.

MedicalAntiques.com
http://www.medicalantiques.com/

An online resource for people interested in medical antiques. They specialize "in cased surgical sets, bloodletting artifacts, and medical instruments. If you are seeking research, photos, information, pricing, and people who are passionate about medical and surgical history... this is the place to visit."

Michigan Antique Phonograph Society
http://www.michiganantiquephonographsociety.org/

Founded in 1976, The Michigan Antique Phonograph Society (MAPS) today has members from all over the world and chapters in many US states. Its primary mission is "to provide scholarly information, services and entertainment to persons interested in collecting and preserving antique phonographs and to assist the newcomer to the hobby." This site lists upcoming events and the individual chapters around the U.S., as well as, information on the history of the organization, their monthly newsletter, In The Grove, and how to become a member.

Mid-West Tool Collectors Association
http://www.mwtca.org/

"The Mid-West Tool Collectors Association is a non-profit international organization whose purpose is the study, preservation and understanding of the early tools, implements and devices used by our ancestors in their homes, shops, farms, and on the seas." Founded in 1968 by 16 Chicago area tool collectors, M-WTCA now has a large international membership. The site includes a list of articles, special projects the Association is involved with, and a list of FAQs, along with a calendar of chapter meetings held throughout the year.

National Antique Doll Dealers Association
http://www.nadda.org/

"The National Antique Doll Dealers Association, Inc., a non-profit organization, was founded in 1986." Its primary purpose "is to assure the collecting public that members subscribe to a code of ethics in the conduct of business", "to share the accumulation of their knowledge by contributing their services to advance the study of the historical significance, maintenance, restoration and classification of antique dolls", and to "actively work to support educational and informative programs on a local and national basis." Parts of this site include educational pages, a searchable membership directory, and a listing of scheduled events.

National Insulator Association
http://www.nia.org/

"The National Insulator Association (NIA) is an international organization of collectors interested in communication and electrical insulators, as well as other artifacts connected with insulators, such as telephone, telegraph, power transmission, railroads, and lightning protection devices." As a non-profit educational and scientific organization, "its aim is to encourage insulator collecting and to protect the interests of collectors." The NIA was established in 1973 and has members from around the world. This site includes a historical timeline of the usage of insulators, photographic identification section, listing of regional clubs, membership information, and an archive for the NIA.

Old Gas Station Collectibles
http://www.oldgas.com/

"A service bringing gas station antique collectors, dealers, publishers and service providers together for the benefit of all. Here you'll find a list of specialized swap meets and auctions; reports of past such events; images of gas station collectibles; information about petroleum history and collecting petroliana; links to other collectors and petro related sites around the web."

Telephone Collectors International
http://www.telephonecollectors.org/

Telephone Collectors International (TCI), founded in 1986, is an organization of telephone collectors, hobbyists and historians who are helping to preserve the history of the telecommunications industry through the collection of telephones and telephone related material. Its collections represent all aspects of the industry, from the very first wooden prototypes that started the industry to the technological marvels that made the automatic telephone exchange possible. Their site includes a list of upcoming events, listserv subscription and membership information, and highlights from its publication, Singing Wires.