www.alphabetilately.com
The name of this site was made from the words "alphabet"
and "philately." (Philately is stamp collecting.) Both
the concept and the art here are fabulous. There are twenty-six
stamps, created by as many artists, laid out alphabetically.
Click the top banner for the index, then check out the "V
is for V-Mail" stamp (which got Jeff's attention; learn
why in THE MARRIAGE CASKET). Vintage letters and envelopes are
why I fell in love with this site, and perusing any number of
the alphabetized stamps will give you a look at vintage ephemera.
Antique
Lures
Hundreds
of pages of information, extensive photos. If you're into vintage
lures, you've likely made good use of this site. If you're just
getting started, allow plenty of time here.
Antiques Roadshow
The
Jeff Talbot antique lover's mystery series came about, in part,
to the popularity of this highly successful PBS program. The
Web site has a wealth of information on antiques.
www.barbiecollectibles.com
Official
Mattel site for the collectible Barbie. Well-designed, with a
wealth of information. Includes an index of Barbie clubs by state.
Bill's
Antique Christmas Light Site
Lots of history and information, as well as photos of vintage
advertising, and just about anything you might want to know regarding
antique Christmas lights.
George
Eastman House
The technology collection at the George Eastman House is made
up of more than 15,000 separate items. An eighteenth-century
camera obscura is the oldest item in the collection, and the
Speed Graphic camera used by Joe Rosenthal for the 1945 photograph
of the flag raising on Iwo Jima is housed there.
Gold
Star Moms
If you would like to learn more about the flag that Jeff found
in the marriage casket, the Gold Star Moms site is the place.
The Gold Star gained special significance at the end of World
War I, and its symbolism became more prominent during World War
II.
Golden
Glow of Christmas Past
If you're a collector of anything Christmas, you're likely aware
of this organization. Check the site for information about the
annual convention, which is usually a "Christmas in July"
event. Members receive a bimonthly newsletter, "The Glow."
The
Grand Hotel
If you've
read Death is a Cabaret, then you know that Jeff Talbot stayed
at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, to attend an
antiques event. Visit the website of this luxury antique (and
antique-filled!) hotel for a closer look.
Granville
Islands Train Museum
This museum is about three hours north of Seattle in Vancouver,
BC Canada. The Web site is loaded with information, offers an
extensive links page for all things train, and has the world's
largest collection of model and toy trains on public display.
There's even a rare pink Lionel train set, circa 1958, that was
designed for girls!
American
Hatpin Society
The
Hatpin Collectors Website
The Hat Pin Society
of Great Britain
Did
you know that there are different kinds of fake hatpins? (If
you aren't sure of the distinction between a "marriage"
and a "fantasy," check out page 13 of The Weedless
Widow.) The three Web sites listed above provide all sorts of
information and links.
Hermitage
Museum
This museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, offers interesting information
and photos of the diamond-cut steel like that of Verena's marriage
casket for which the third novel is named. Conduct a search of
the word Tula for a list of pages.
The
International Perfume Bottle Association
Get
info on becoming a member, and news about this club's annual
convention. Site includes many photos and links to assist in
research. The organization publishes the journal, Perfume Bottle
Quarterly.
www.kovels.com
Ralph
and Terry Kovel have had a passion for antiques for over forty
years, and have published numerous books about collecting. Their
Web site offers extensive databases. The couple also writes a
column for Forbes magazine, as well as a nationally syndicated
newspaper column.
www.Krphoto.com
Go to Ken Riley's camera site links page and click the Antique
and Classic Camera Collectors' link for an extensive listing
of Web sites. This site is dedicated to providing the camera
collector with useful information about camera repair, films
and darkroom supplies for the classics, and other photographic
resources.
The
Lionel Collectors Club of America
Creates five publications (two print, three on-line). The Club
was founded in 1970, and holds an annual convention. Check out
the FAQ page for answers to collecting questions, and a concise
date chart for pre-war, post-war, and modern classifications.
Mackinac
Island
Enjoy learning
more about this treasure of Michigan. Turn-of-the-century charm
(that's turn of the twentieth century!) is abundant on Mackinac
Island, and two movies have been filmed there (see pages 46 and
47 of Death is a Cabaret).
Mackinac
State Historic Park
More information
about Mackinac Island, Michigan.
Marklin
Here, you'll find history as well as a technical resource center.
Marklin produces more than just trains, and states that their
reproductions have detail changes to exclude the possibility
of mistaking the reproductions for historic, original models.
The site also has a great page for determining differences in
the various scales, or gauges, offered.
Morning
Glory Antiques and Jewelry
Offers a free online magazine called "Jewel Chat,"
in addition to hundreds of photos of jewelry marks and the dates
those marks were used, and photos of vintage jewelry advertising
(which help in identification).
National
Autumn Leaf Collectors Club
Here, you'll find the official Web site of the Club. Sheila's
fortunate to have inherited her set of the Hall China/Jewel Tea
dishes from her Pennsylvania grandmother.
The
National Fishing Lure Collectors Club
This club's site is about more than just lures. It "encompasses
every aspect of collecting fishing related tackle and ephemera."
National
Woodie Club
Jeff Talbot
drives a 1948 Chevy woodie. This well-executed site offers news
about classic woodies, regional and national events, and provides
information about the club's monthly publication, Woodie Times
(edited by John Lee). Jeff is the first fictional member of this
outstanding organization!
Napoleonic
Society of America
The cabaret
(or tea) set in Death is a Cabaret is Napoleonic. If you're interested
in Bonaparte, here's a good place to start.
Old
Tools
There are
many tool collectors clubs and societies. If you're interested,
this impressive Web site is a good place to start.
The
Society of Inkwell Collectors
In Cabaret, Jeff purchases a couple of inkwells. If you're interested
in this collectible, you might want to check out this society.
www.sparklz.com
The Information and Reference button takes you to hundreds of
jewelry links, as well as tips and guides for cleaning and repairing
jewelry.
Toy
Train Operating Society, Inc.
Web site of the Toy Train Operating Society, Inc., which was
founded in 1966. The organization offers two publications for
its members. Check out their links page.
The
Train Collectors Association
The Train Collectors Association was organized in 1954; that
means its 50th birthday is coming up! Headquartered at the National
Toy Train Museum in Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
Vaseline
Glass Collectors, Inc.
This official site of the club contains a wealth of information
about the "glowing" collectible. Lots of history, many
links, and information on joining the group. You'll also find
news of the organization's annual convention, and a list of recommended
books.
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CULINARY
www.marthastewart.com
It's hard
to know which category to list this site in. Martha Stewart provides
information on antiques and collecting, as well as recipes.
www.epicurious.com
Set up
your own on-line recipe box, choosing from over 14,000 recipes.
Conduct word searches, too.
Honey
Here's a great site with loads of recipes, as well as lots of
other info on honey and honey bees. Also offers great stuff for
kids! If you're interested in mead (honey wine), check the product
page.
Recipe
Source
This extensive source for recipes offers two major groups: recipes
primarily identified with an ethnic cuisine are broken down by
region and ethnic group (and there are dozens), along with recipes
categorized by type of dish--including holidays. The site also
lists cookbook recommendations.
Seabolts
Salmon
Seabolts
uses locally grown alder wood to smoke salmon in the traditional
style of the Pacific Northwest. Located just down the road from
Deception Pass, Seabolts has been in business for almost twenty-five
years.
Texas
Cook
Sam Carver (meet him in The Weedless Widow) has culinary roots
in Texas. Check out this site for Texas Style Barbeque, Tex-Mex,
Cast-Iron Cookin', and many other Southern-style delicacies.
Tullys
Coffee
The
folks at Tully's Coffee (which is the exclusive coffee brand
of Safeco Field) provide a striking Web site. They offer for
purchase a French-press grind, and if you haven't tried French-pressed
coffee, I urge you to check it out. I'm no barista, but I can
say that Tully's hasn't steered me wrong yet.
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PERIODICALS
As promised
in the webliography of THE MARRIAGE CASKET, here's a segment
about periodicals that provide info on antiques:
Antique
and Collectors Reproduction News
A monthly newsletter that provides money-saving tips to keep
you on the right track. You can also purchase supplies, such
as black lights and invisible ink, to aid in marking your valuables
for identification.
Antique
Trader
This weekly
tabloid lists thousands of classifieds and other advertisements
for dealers, auctions, and shows. Also features show/auction
calendar, as well as articles on books, industry news, antiques,
and collectibles.
Catalogue
of Antiques and Fine Art
This bimonthly
magazine showcases high-end antiques and art. Informative articles.
Country
Living
Country
Living magazine offers American antiques and collectibles information
in every issue. In addition, the editors provide loads of information
on their Web site. Go to the segment on antiques and collectibles,
and allow plenty of time!
Journal
of Antiques and Collectibles
Monthly
tabloid published in Sturbridge, Mass., publishes antiques news,
Q&A from the Kovels, and articles on a wide variety of antiques.
Maine
Antique Digest
This hefty
monthly newspaper offers extensive coverage of show, auction,
and industry news. The Web site offers much info, too.
Mary
Engelbreit's Home Companion
How do
I describe this magazine? A retro romp through fun, whether it
be flea-market decorating or seaside collecting or the artist's
works that evoke memories--and smiles. Regularly features decorating
with antiques and collectibles.
New
England Antiques Journal
A monthly
tabloid considered substantial. Many regular features, including
auction digest, industry news, books, and the monthly supplement
"Living With Antiques" magazine.
Southeastern
Antiquing and Collecting Magazine
Focusing
primarily (and obviously) on the southeastern states, this magazine
is based in Georgia. Regular features include a Civil War section,
celebrity collectors, and shop directory.
The
Magazine Antiques
This striking
magazine is eye candy for those interested in perusing high-end
antiques and art. Regular features include Museum Accessions,
Report from Europe, and Design Notes.
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SHOPPING
The
Butlers Guild
Whether
you're in the market for a butler, or you want to learn more
about this fascinating field of service, you won't go wrong by
checking out the Web site for The International Guild of Professional
Butlers. (Don't miss the Butler Pantry, an online store.)
www.thomaspink.co.uk
Thomas
Pink has great cuff links, which I'm counting on as future vintage
pieces for my collection.
Those who notice the vein of pink that runs through The Weedless
Widow (book two in the series) might appreciate this bit of history
from the Thomas Pink Web site: "It's a little-known fact
that the phrase 'in the pink' was inspired by our very own Thomas
Pink. This legendary Mayfair tailor made his name in the late
18th century, creating hunting coats that were regarded as the
finest in the land. If you wore a coat by Mr. Pink, you were
definitely on top form-socially, financially, and, of course,
sartorially."
www.travelsmith.com
Clothing,
luggage and travel accessories.
www.vintagewoodworks.com
Spandrels,
beadboards, gingerbread, and fretwork can all be found at the
site for this Texas-based company. Request a catalog, shop on-line,
or check out the bookstore, which lists dozens of recommended
books on everything from architectural styles to renovation and
preservation of historic homes, to information on interior elements
such as reproduction of historic fabrics, lighting, and wallpapers.
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WASHINGTON
www.fishingthenorthwest.com
Includes
everything from a list of popular fishing spots to information
on lodging, stores, and restaurants near those spots. A well
laid-out site, with impressive graphics, too.
Fishing regulations are complicated. Be sure and check out the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife site at www.wa.gov/wdfw
for information you'll need prior to making that first cast.
Pasta
and Co.
One of
my favorite items from this neighborhood store is the black pasta
(the color is achieved with squid ink, which does not alter the
taste); it makes a wonderful presentation with some of my sauces.
If you're in our neighborhood north of Seattle, drop by Pasta
and Co. and tell them we sent you. They're at 2109 Queen Anne
Avenue North.
www.seattle.com
This is a good starting place for Seattle stuff, which offers
travel info, history, resources, media, city guides, and directory
assistance.
www.washingtonoutdoorwomen.org
Washington
Outdoor Women was established in 1997 by the Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife. At the time I checked out this site, the
group was offering a number of workshops-from basic fly-tying
to big-game hunting.
Whidbey
Island
Whidbey Island is one of my favorite Washington spots, from Deception
Pass at the northern tip to Clinton on its southern shores. This
Web site offers much info on both Whidbey and Camano islands,
north of Seattle.
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Greer will be
happy to help you contact the author. Just click the letter
on the silver tray.