Archive

New year, new discoveries

Unearth 1891 secrets in a hidden time capsule, explore the elegance of antique travel collectibles, and see vintage treasures transformed into brilliant lamps.

Courtship, Confidence, and Cast Iron

Ceramic sweethearts, bold antique jewelry from Mankato, and the restoration secrets of Fergus Falls. Fall in love with this edition of Old Times.

Greens, Goodies, and Good Reads

Playful kitchen decor, classic homemade sweets, and vintage paper ephemera. Pull up a chair to the table in this edition of Old Times.

Comics, Casseroles, and Clicks

 TV heroes on paper, iconic kitchen collections, and the modern digital antique hunt. Log on and leap into the past in this edition of Old Times.

Seeds, Saucers, and Springtime Blooms

 Colorful garden catalogs, charming cottage tea cups, and beautiful floral antiques. Let your love for history blossom in this edition of Old Times.

Lustreware, Little Collectors, and Ledgers

Radiant Art Deco ceramics, the joy and lessons of youth collecting, and a passion for historic paper items. Uncover the beauty of the past in this edition of Old Times.

Shades, Space Adventure, and Sewing
Vintage sun glasses with style, air and space collectibles, and repurposing old sewing machine cabinets. Take a fresh look at the past in this edition of Old Times.

Crackle, Candy, and Curious Thinking
Colorful crackle glass, the sweet world of PEZ dispensers, and a quiz that puts your antique knowledge to the test. Pop into the past with this edition of “Old Times.”

Bobble-rs, Buffets & Bent Cookies
Meet the original “yes-men,” hunt for fabulous furniture, and discover the centuries-old craft of krumkake. Nod into nostalgia with this edition of “Old Times.”

Planters, Pickers & a Piece of History
Whimsical baby planters, the story of a hall-of-fame picker, and one collector’s beloved 1931 Ford Model A. Pick through the past with this edition of “Old Times.”     

Happy New Year!

 New year, new stories! Discover these primitive antiques, jaw-dropping jewelry and trinkets, and captivation catch-alls.

Love for all to hold!

Pick your favorites from these vintage fridge magnets, behold these historic hankies, and banish your winter blues with travel trinkets!

A Way with Words

Behold, Vaudeville Theatre from the early 1900's, beloved little trinkets from John Eggar's collection, and vintage trends for 2025!

Blast from the Past

Relive your childhood with these beloved toys from the 20th century, listen in on these classic vinyl records, and start your spring cleaning and antiquing

Smoke, Scale, and Spring Elegance

Explore the playful charm of smoking-head ashtrays,Then see the show-stopping giants of antique furniture, Finally celebrate dishware that blossoms with the season.

Feather, flame, and horsepower

Peck through these chicken collectibles, revel in these revolutionary antiques, and rev your engines for this collection of luxury sports cars!

whimsy, words, and weathered wonders

Cheery—and a few delightfully eerie—clown collectibles, dust off century-old classic novels, and check out garden boarders that bloom with history.

Grit, gleam, and a little extra green. Follow Joe Bonomo’s life and effect on culture, pop open a can of history with pop-top treasures, and learn about a side hustle that sparks creativity while preserving history!

Brims, brooches, and big catches. Learn about the dashing mens trends of year's past, admire fall themed dazzling jewelry, and reel in a good find with these old fishing lures!

Decor, Drinks, and Drum Beats A festive mix of sparkle, cheer, and a touch of music to the season. This collection of stories hit a high note showcasing keepsakes that celebrate October!

Tumble Weeds, Toys, and Treasures

Western swagger, beloved finds, and treasures waiting to be discovered. Bring your cowboy boots along for the ride in this edition of Old Times.

Crimson, Classics, and Celestials

A showcase of holiday style, beloved history, and the comfort of guardian angels. Celebrate the spirit of December in this edition of Old Times.

Happy New Year!

 From the folks at Palmer Creations

Lots to Love!

Don't miss this month's most adored stories.

Mementos in March!

Bunnies, Sacks, and Comics Galore!

Spring Brings the Best Things!

Nostalgic Lunch Boxes, Vintage Bottles, and Beautiful Time Pieces!

Just like the Good Ol' Days!

Collecting Old Photographs, Looking forward to new blooms, and picking up a new craft!

It's Graduation Season!

Graduation nostalgia, catches from the past, and an unexpected collection of over 300 pieces! 

Summer Fun!

Mid-century pottery, Red Wing's wildest cure-all's from the 1900's, and one of the most innovative lures from the 20th century! 

Autographs from another time!

Dive into antique autograph albums, unravel mysteries at the antique shop, and explore the charm of a treasured golf collection.

A golden opportunity!

See the stunning array of weeping gold pottery, learn how to score the best finds amongst antiques, and decorate your home with vintage pieces on a budget!

Light Up The Room!

In this edition, we shine a light on some of the most unique lighters from the 50's and 60's, find facinating connections between Coors beer and pottery, and admire magnificent Matryoshkas.

It's Election Time!

In this edition, we'll go back in time to revisit political buttons from election year's past dating as far back as the 1900's, enjoy some unique ceramic decanters, and discover a new antique shop in McIntosh, MN.

Holly Jolly Gift Giving!

It's the best time of the year to give! Check out these retro gifts of Christmas past, feel the blessings from the Angels Among Us, and fall in love with the story of Phil, Jackie, and the classic car they fell in love in.

'Lucky day' lace

 & a Year’s Worth of Ceramic Arts

My Funny Valenties

 with rib ticklers from Topps. Cookie cutters from the past in Joyce Moorhouse’s collection.

'Please - Call me Angela'

Memorable interview with the legendary actress. Why buy & sell? 

Say Cheese!

a snapshot history of camera collectibles. Batteries not included

Catnip for collectors

"We are Siamese, if you please. We are Siamese, if you don't please"

Here comes the bride

Poor Spencer Tracy

Every relic has a story

"Hey John, look what I found"

Rally 'round the flag

Celebrating souvenir travel pennants

Any good buys lately?

The highlights of antiquing and thrifting

Electric sheep

The highlights of antiquing and thrifting

Functional and formal lighting

Overhead lighting is a thing of the past

O Christmas tree

'Tis the season!

Breakfast & Bottle Caps

Breakfast collectibles for the early risers. Have you ever wanted to collect bottle caps?

Love is in the air

How Valentines and Valentine's Day has evolved. Art Deco's hidden treasure, The Golden Book magazine.

Hitting the right notes

Cranking up some novelty music boxes. 

Horsing around

With collectible horse figurines. Plus, remember the 'reel' cowboys?

Silhouettes

Stories told with silhouettes, glass; Fine china with a flair.

Small Round

Valuable round collectibles come in a variety of materials, from vinyl to china.

Buckle up!

Stories about collecting buckles or all kinds, and signs to spice up the kitchen.

Making Waves

Mythology behind those majestic, mesmerizing mermaids, plus collectible books and accessories.

Toys

Smokin' hot cigar labels; Elmer's toys

Barnstorming Iowa

Karlene Kingrey has been to all 99 counties in Iowa, and this story tells it all. 

You can bank on it

A collection of antique piggy banks; some of which are animated!

Hanging holiday memories

Interesting holiday ornaments, collectibles.

The day the music died

A rock and roll poster, from the day the music died, fetched quite a sum for one collector. Foil art at home, the perfect way to spend some free time, and not much cash.

One big tea party

Tea cup collectors will relish the Old Times story we have for February. If that isn't your cup of tea, you still have Bosson Character Masks, the Queen of the Elves, and handshakes on bottles to read about.

The Old Stamping Grounds

After a refresher on the Brady Bunch, read about building restoration.

The Holy Grail

Antique collecting in search of the Holy Grail. Maybe these figural planters are the antiques you're looking for. 

Kitchen Classics

Channeling kitchen classics of olde with outside the box reasons to enjoy great granma's kitchen. Children's Play Mate, Paging through copies of a family-friendly favorite. 

Collecting Cars and Buttons

A classic '63 Impala for only $250? Well, sort of. Some collections can be as cute as a button, especially collections of buttons.

Vacation Postcards

On vacation with travel postcard folios. 

Let's go antiquing with an emphasis on summer lounging.

Collecting Cars and Buttons

A classic '63 Impala for only $250? Well, sort of. Some collections can be as cute as a button, especially collections of buttons.

Name That Tune

Treasured nutty novelty songs. Gnome sweet garden gnome.

Next Stop: Railroads

Plus, Preserving Native American Culture.

The Art of Nutcracking

A collection of functional nutcracking tools. Dazzling glass jewelry from Higgins Studio.

Every Jar has a Story

Every jar has a story to tell. Celebrating the spirit of the Christmas season with ceramics.

Shake it up

Collecting snow globes for over 140 years and a rockin’ jukeboxe collection give you two ways to shake it up this month.

Good Taste

Any collector can find salt and pepper shakers to fit their style. Tips on collecting old poetry books and put on your dancing shoes to track down the Melody Boys.

Pinball Wizard

Sometimes good things come in small packages, other times they are the size of a pinball machine.

Hit the Slots

Learn what to look for in early slot machines. Donald-Brian Johnson gives pointers for repairing your collectibles.

Break Time

Old Times was out of commission for May as most antique shops were closed this month due to the COVID-19 situation.

Punch

You'll be pleased as punch to read about a collectible magazine from England. Turn the pages for a smokin' collection full of characters.

Circus Life

Read about running away to join the circus, and remember thrilling days of yesteryear with good guys, bad guys and a roll of caps.

Chalk Talk

Talk about chalkware and a man who collects toy boat motors. Antique show news to keep you up to date. A tip on how to find your way around the largest antique malls.

Live! In Person!

Records to remember. Something for young, hip, record collectors. Danger lovers with enjoy the story on collecting pocket knives.

Dogs & Halloween

Two interesting areas of collecting and more in this month's paper. Plus all the local antique shop information you love.

Hometown Memorabilia

Collecting hometown memorabilia can be fun, meaningful, and a good investment. Decorative glassware for collectors with a light touch. Fun at a flea market with Joan Sween. 

Christmas Carols

Who knew there was so much collectible caroling memorabilia? We all know someone with a ceramic Christmas tree but one man has a collection of 50.

Days gone by

Collectible calendars brought life, and advertising to walls across America.

Just hangin' around

Style, and function of ceramic wall pockets.

Whitman Books

The TV tie-ins that bind.

Take one for a spin 

Kids' picture records

Gimme five!

A look back at the Dionne Quintuplets. 

Crowning glories

A flowing history of decorative hair combs from Wilma Flintstone to Irene Castle.

Neon

A look back at the golden age of neon signs. Dive into antique shell collectibles.

Saving faces

Collecting, and pricing tintypes, daguerrotypes and ambrotypes. Along with sitting pretty, shelf sitters.

Historic chalice finds home

Saved after church tornado 123 years ago, chalice is returned thanks to assistance from antique shop owner.

Storing up memories

A stop by the good old country store,

and get to know your antiques,

from A to L this month.

Ideals Magazine…the perfect ‘season’ing

Check out what’s on tap this month and catch up on seasonal magazines from the past. Plus a few sweet stories about candy.

Lovin' Lladro

Read about porcelain perfection for the holidays, and half an alphabet (M to Z) of collecting advice from a pro.

Flexible Fabric Dolls

The history of dolls. Find out about the mysteries and delights that fill the Pine County Museum.

Willie's Guitars

Notes from the owner of Willie's American Guitars. Then stick your neck out a few pages to read about giraffe figurines.

Mid-century 'CliffsNotes'

After flipping through copies of Classics Illustrated, flip over to the life of an antique framer.

Ceramic Baby Boom

Children as figurines were popular from the '40s to '60s.  Inspiration from a home tour, page 10.

Zippo… a real Hot Collectible

Minnesota man's 20 year quest for iconic flcking lighters. Visit the puppet master behind Hazelle's Marionettes.

Curtain Going Up

Collecting Broadway show posters… both hits and bombs.

Cast Iron Treasures

Toys were earned by selling magazine subscriptions. Have you heard of Nemadji pottery?

Step Right Up

Carnival glass was found on Midways throughout the U.S. Plus, a real Iron Man, started his own antique iron museum in Morris.

Precision, Function

and lots of 'Shiny Bits'

Collectors weigh in on the world of scales.

Rescued Sacred Treasures

Priest on a mission to save unique, cherished Catholic pieces. What do you collect?

Branded Bottles
Bottles and advertising of George Benz. Giving thanks for Betty.

It's beginning to look a lot like…

Annalee

Plus, tough trucks with a strong Midwest history.

From Grandma's closet

to vintage threads

Minneapolis woman ditches the corporate world for Vintage Treasures. High-fashion, living dolls for adult collectors.

For the Love of the (Old) Game

Try a round of hickory golf with old wood-shafted clubs. A nervous man interviews the stars, and lives to tell the tale.

Neighborhood Presence

for 100 Years

Church gives stability for generations. The crossing paths of ceramics designers.

Brimming with Antiques

Coffee roaster uses local antiques to create distinct looks for each of his four locations. Let's all be Americans with the music of World War I.

Bursting with Buttons

Collecting buttons, where to start? Pick a theme or pick a material. Then take a 3-D look at vintage cards. 

A Galaxy of Star Wars Relics

A long time ago, Robert Johnson started his Star Wars collection. Keep going for a bounty of beautiful bride's baskets.

The Name Says it All

Lu-Ray Pastels added pizzazz to everyday life in the Great Depression. Ornamental bronze can add some interest to today. 

Searching for Cass Gilbert

Architect of the Minnesota State Capitol building, designed inside and out. Read about how modern ceramics came about when imports stopped for WWII. 

Vintage Snowmobiles Show

Take a look at vintage snow machines in Downsville, Wisconsin. Check out what made television board games so appealing.

Jonny Quest,

Eternal Boy Adventurer

The continuing appeal of a 1960s nighttime cartoon series. Followed by Art appraising and MAD magazine.

Royally Whimsical Enchantment
Tiny porcelains and the 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair are in these pages.

Goodbye, Christmas

The Sale of the Century

After 54 years of Christmas shows, the doors are closed, but you can still carol along with collectible Christmas albums in the back pages. 

Mooseum Collection sets Record

Are 16,000 cows too many? Not for one collector. Sensational sewing collectibles finish up this issue.

Playing Dress-Up for Keeps

Explore history through millinery and costumes. Stop in the Pacific to collect Hawaiiana. 

Striking Vintage Gold

Unexpected riches from an old poster. Then travel around the world through ceramics.

Hymie's Vintage Records

Vinyl records, LPs, 45s, EPs, test pressings, bootlegs, picture discs, promos and even a few 8-track tapes. Then take a look at the faces of radio. 

Pop goes the Culture

Mid-century design really started to pop in the 1950s. Later, living in a gingerbread house.

Embracing Minnesota's Fine Art

From a fine art collection connected by electrical tape to vintage Father's Day cards.

A Worldwide Attraction

Stop by Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post in Onamia. Stay and be facinated by a variety of salt and pepper nodders.

The Age of Antiquarianism

Rare booksellers and collectors get together. Thimbles, Depression glass, washing machines, welcome to the collecting club.

An Afternoon's Worth

of Entertainment

Appraiser for hire, travels the antiques road, and odd celebrity albums might entertain.

The Collecting Spirit

Find haunting Halloween collectibles like jack-o-lanterns, black cats and witches, before discovering history in some bottles.  

History at the Volestead House
Imbibing history at the home of the man who sponsored the prohibition act. 

Birth of the Christmas Seal

Crusade against tuberculosis, one penny at a time. Turn the pages for collectible Christmas tree pins.

Tall Tales of the Foshay Tower

Learn about the colorful life of Wilbur Foshay, the tower that bears his name, and follow that up with some collectible cat figurines.

Give Me Liberty

Keep up with pop culture of the 1930s by collecting Liberty magazine. Make a mark with collectible stamps in the back pages of this issue.

Generations of Jewelry

Find out what a family of collectors does with old jewelry. The saints go marching in with collectible religious figurines.

Craftsmanship & Patience

Stories from a life of antique wood restoration. Check out some cute egg cups in a variety of themes.

Bob Dylan's Hibbing

Locals organize Dylan Days every May. If that's not enough, it's party time with retro record albums in the second section.

The Handcraft Guild

Pottery, metal and leatherwork all came out of 89 S 10th Street in downtown Minneapolis. Rumors that the Hamel Lions Flea market was closing were greatly exaggerated.

Hanley Falls' Claim to Fame

Minnesota Machinery Museum and a town's agricultural history. Off to see the World, a collectible minded visit to the 1939-40 New York World's fair.

Route 66

Remembering the mother road with postcards, guidebooks, and matchbook covers. Collecting early classic cars with Ronald Iske.

Touring Halls of Ivy
Architectural history of the University of Minnesota, and souvenir Iroquois beadwork from Niagra Falls.

Oh, You Beautiful Dolls

Dollmaker extraordinaire, Madame Beatrice Alexander. Check out the choices of Mid-Century lamps.

Clocks Tell Brothers' Story
Have you heard of the clock making Billy Brothers? All out for freedom, the memories and mementos from World War II.

A Gift of Augsburg

Christmas Annuals

An annual tradition, a cup of Christmas cheer, and the rise of modern art from Cezanne to Van Gogh.

Orphan returns to tell his story

From what was the third largest orphange in the U.S. Come follow the band with collectible music figurines.

Stars on Ice

Collectible ice skating dolls, and Louis Sullivan's Minnesota jewel box bank. 

Doll Doctors Unite

Workers in the Minnesota Doll Doctors Association share their stories. You may also enjoy reading about the Dacotah building on Cathedral Hill.

Estate sale supports causes

The women's club of Minneapolis raises money. If that isn't enough for you, how about getting starstruck collecting movie star ads?

Bitten, by Sharks and Trilobites
Monticello, Minn., native has passion for collecting fossils. A zoo full of ceramic animal figurines waits inside. 

Statues Take Collectors

on Grand Tour

Vicarious 19th-century travel and the souvenirs that came back from European trips.

Good Evening!

Welcome to the Sleeper House

Privately-owned museum of Gilded Age treasures.

Fort Snelling: Preserving Minnesota's military history

Walking tours guided by a local architect, and it has been 75 years of the Wizard of Oz.

Vintage Toy Celebs

Twister, Tonka Trucks, and other famous toys. Collectible cased glass in a variety of colors, and prices.

A Slice of the toaster scene

Pop in to learn about the facinating life of a toaster collector, stay for cards and collectibles of the baby boom.

MAPS &

complimentary ephemeral joys
Athea Willette's collection of old neighborhood maps, and a story about Joff Summerfield on his retro two-wheeler.

A Family History in 3D

A world of ornaments, including blown-glass mushrooms from Germany, Nativity scene gourd from Mexico, and hand-crocheted pandas from China.

The Java Jive

Collectible Coffee & Tea Sets

From Mimi-Toria's with Love

Vintage and new, made into necklaces. Fantastic plastic radios also in this issue.

Old car addiction

Dick Pellow's two-story garage stuffed with antique cars. Memories of an old plumber in the back pages.

One homeowner's story

The history of a South Minneapolis Victorian house (Painted Lady), built in 1886, and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Off the cuff

Cufflink collector, and wearer, shows off his collection. Plus, collecting broadway musical cast albums.

Betsy-Tacy & Tib

Read about the Betsy-Tacy Convention that was held in Mankato, Minn., in 2012.

Boy Scouting & Girl Scouting

A century of memories, and memorabilia, around the campfire.

My Comic Mom

Robin McHattie inherited a suitcase full of comics when her mother, Vee Quintal Pearson, passed away. Turns out the comics were illustrated by her mother during the 1940s!

Riding the rails of

Minnesota History

Featuring a look at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, for all of you rail buffs.

Sitting Pretty

Have a fabulous time dressing in these vintage clothes, while you binge shows set in the past, like Mad Men or Perry Mason.

Remembering JFK
Political memorabilia in all shapes and sizes, from buttons to hats and ties, in a collection put together 50 years after Kennedy's assassination.

Dayton's

Remembering the huge displays and Christmas shopping before malls and online shopping.