Antiques Freaks

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Two freaks explore antiques every week. Updates Wednesdays.

Antiques Freaks


    • May 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 35m AVG DURATION
    • 386 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Antiques Freaks podcast is a unique and entertaining show that combines education, humor, and a passion for antiques. Hosted by Ken and Dee, this podcast explores a wide range of antique topics with enthusiasm and wit. Whether you're a seasoned collector or someone with little interest in antiques, this podcast offers something for everyone.

    One of the best aspects of The Antiques Freaks podcast is the hosts themselves. Ken and Dee have a fantastic dynamic that is both informative and entertaining. They bring a sense of fun to each episode, making even the most niche antique topics engaging and enjoyable to listen to. Their knowledge shines through as they discuss various items and their historical significance, providing interesting insights for listeners.

    Another great aspect of the podcast is its accessibility. Ken and Dee have managed to make learning about antiques accessible to a younger audience who may not have much prior knowledge or interest in the subject. They present information in a way that is easy to understand and engaging, which helps to broaden the appeal of antiques beyond traditional collectors.

    While there aren't many negative aspects to The Antiques Freaks podcast, one minor downside is that some episodes may not resonate with all listeners due to their specific focus on certain items or topics. This could potentially limit the appeal for those who prefer more general discussions about antiques. However, this is a minor drawback in an otherwise excellent podcast.

    In conclusion, The Antiques Freaks podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in antiques or simply looking for an entertaining and educational show. Ken and Dee's passion for their subject matter shines through in each episode, making it easy to get swept up in their enthusiasm. With their fun approach and broad range of topics, they make learning about antiques accessible and enjoyable for all listeners.



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    Latest episodes from Antiques Freaks

    The Marital Rating Scale (1930s)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 26:48


    Have you ever wondered what it might be like to wed an Antiques Freak? Wonder no more, as Ken and Dee take the Marital Rating Scale test developed in the 1930s by George W. Crane (Ph.D., M.D.), cofounder of the Scientific Marriage Foundation. Shout out to QuestionableAdvice on tumblr for this incredible, baffling, and incredibly baffling quiz.

    Blue Mountain Pottery

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 25:10


    This time for real and true! From ski lodge to angel fish, they've got it all—yes, it's Blue Mountain Pottery, the mid-century modern ceramics sensation.

    Ch. 44 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 41:20


    Waggles has arrived! Varney the Vampire is a genuine penny dreadful, read aloud one chapter per week just like the original Victorian working class audience would do for the authentic 1840s Chartist coffeehouse experience. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    Ch. 41, 42, and 43 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 1:20


    The interesting thing about the forty-first, forty-second, and forty-third chapters of Varney the Vampire is that they don't exist. Varney the Vampire is a genuine penny dreadful, read aloud one chapter per week just like the original Victorian working class audience would do for the authentic 1840s Chartist coffeehouse experience. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    The Zube Tube

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 34:27


    It's the hottest toy of the 1989 Christmas season and a retro sensation that's sweeping the nation—the Ultimate Cosmic Sound Machine TM has landed on the podcast, leaving the Antiques Freaks frightened and confused. Where did it come from? What does it want? How did you find this? Who sent you?

    christmas tube antiques freaks
    T - The Sailor's Word Book (1867) with Hannah

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 35:49


    Tap the admiral. Timber-taster. Tom Astoners. Tumble up. All these nautical terms and more defined in this, the twentieth chapter of The Sailor's Word-Book.

    Ch. 40 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 85:33


    Our friend James Wake joins us for an action-packed episode of mob violence against a vampyre! Check out James's cyberpunk novel THE SAPPHIRE SHADOW, available now wherever fine books are found. Varney the Vampire is a genuine penny dreadful, read aloud one chapter per week just like the original Victorian working class audience would do for the authentic 1840s Chartist coffeehouse experience. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    The New York Antiquarian Book Fair

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 32:15


    The Antiques Freaks have ventured out into the wider world and returned with tales of wonder, including the most ironic possible book for sale, the most charming bookseller disclaimer, the smuggest item listing we've ever seen, and why you should always write your shop name on your price tag.

    Revenge of the Horse of the Invisible - Carnacki the Ghost-Finder with Terrible Book Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 76:02


    Once upon a time in April of 2020 we read our first Carnacki story - but we did not read it on air. Now the Horse of the Invisible has returned to wreak its revenge, and only Chris and Paris of the Terrible Book Club podcast can rescue the Antiques Freaks from its horrible haunting.

    ghosts horses revenge invisible carnacki ghost finder terrible book club antiques freaks
    Library Book Sale Haul

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 30:35


    Why do most antiquarian and rare booksellers avoid library book sales? And why do we think you should buck the trend and attend anyway? Also, what are the startling similarities between books and human flesh, and how does a hairdryer form the vital link? Tune in for our library book sale haul and find out!

    Ch. 39 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 60:56


    Our friend Tarra joins us for another thrilling chapter - wherein the duel FINALLY ACTUALLY HAPPENS! Varney the Vampire is a genuine penny dreadful, read aloud one chapter per week just like the original Victorian working class audience would do for the authentic 1840s Chartist coffeehouse experience. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    Questionable Advice and Vintage Etiquette

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 35:49


    The mind behind the tumblr Questionable Advice joins the Antiques Freaks for a rousing discussion on the social history hidden in books and ephemera, and what hilarious and poignant gems we can uncover for our modern age—such as, maybe eating a live spider will cure your flu? (Can't knock it 'til you've tried it!) To read more questionable advice, check out the blog at: questionableadvice.tumblr.com

    Ch. 38 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 44:53


    Wherein Jack Pringle and Chillingworth meet up with Varney to prepare for the OH GOD WHY IS MARCHDALE HERE!? Varney the Vampire is a genuine penny dreadful, read aloud one chapter per week just like the original Victorian working class audience would do for the authentic 1840s Chartist coffeehouse experience. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    Little Golden Books

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 29:42


    Nothing gold can stay… except, of course, for Little Golden Books. Tune in to learn their origin story as literature for the youthful masses and where the deuce they hide that pesky edition number for The Pokey Little Puppy.

    Ch. 37 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 68:56


    Our dear friend Olivia rejoins us for another thrilling chapter of Varney the Vampire! Wherein Varney attempts to seduce literally any man who shows up on his doorstep. Check out Olivia's spooky novels Lord of Thundertown and Backmask. Varney the Vampire is a genuine penny dreadful, read aloud one chapter per week just like the original Victorian working class audience would do for the authentic 1840s Chartist coffeehouse experience. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.  

    How to Increase the Value of Antiques and Collectibles

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 20:20


    There are several tried-and-true methods. You're not gonna like any of ‘em.

    Blue Ridge Pottery

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 32:21


    Slightly to the left of a listener suggestion is an episode no one asked us for but we did it anyway! Come along with us for a wild ride through 20th century ceramics as we chronicle the rise, fall, and subsequent chaos of the Blue Ridge Pottery Company - the Most Dangerous Game of collecting in a haystack made entirely of needles.

    S - The Sailor's Word Book (1867) with special guest Hannah!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 45:30


    Sailor's pleasure. Serving out slops. Shotten herring. Spithead nightingales. All these nautical terms and more defined in this, the nineteenth chapter of The Sailor's Word Book.

    Ch. 36 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 38:29


    Wherein we are joined by our friend Chris from the Terrible Book Club podcast for Chapter XXXVI — The Consultation. — The Duel and its Results. Check out Chris and Paris's podcast Terrible Book Club wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Varney the Vampire is a genuine penny dreadful, read aloud one chapter per week just like the original Victorian working class audience would do for the authentic 1840s Chartist coffeehouse experience. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.  

    The Wonderful Collector of Oz with Dan Warren

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 73:50


    The Antiques Freaks are joined by illustrator Dan Warren to talk about collecting vintage and antique editions of the Oz books by L. Frank Baum, including the incredible attention to design detail evident from the very first edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which film adaptation adheres closest to the original text, the weirdest characters you've never heard of, and hot tips for those seeking antique books in the wild. (Homestuck - the Oz of the modern age? Discuss.) Shout out to O F Cieri for bringing us to the Frankenstein exhibit. You can watch Dan create gorgeous fantasy illustrations in real time on his YouTube channel @danwarren and check out his fantasy-comedy graphic novel at SteveLichman.com

    Ch. 35 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 17:39


    Please join us for this special episode from our Varney vaults, wherein we endure The Explanation, Marchdale's Advice, The Projected Removal, and the Admiral's Anger. Varney the Vampire is a genuine penny dreadful, read aloud one chapter per week just like the original Victorian working class audience would do for the authentic 1840s Chartist coffeehouse experience. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    Flower Frogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 27:35


    Dee valiantly endeavors once again to make Ken care about glass—and perhaps, against all odds, succeeds? Join us for a thrilling adventure into the ancient art of flower arranging and the frogs that make it possible.

    R - The Sailor's Word Book (1867) - with special guest Hannah!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 35:23


    It's the 18th letter of the alphabet but, contrary to popular belief, not a pirate's favorite letter! Our old shipmate Hannah joins the Antiques Freaks for a rousing rendition of nautical vocabulary, including ram reel, rigging out, roast beef dress, and rum-gagger. (Apologies, the audio on this one is slightly scuffed and you can hear all of Ken's page-shuffling ASMR.)

    apologies asmr sailors antiques freaks
    Ch. 34 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024 30:03


    Get into the holiday spirit with one of our favorite chapters of this Victorian penny dreadful, wherein Varney T-poses to assert dominance. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    Lost and Found in Cleveland with Keith Gerchak and Marisa Guterman

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 39:15


    The Antiques Freaks chat with Keith Gerchak and Marisa Guterman, the producers, writers, and directors of the film Lost and Found in Cleveland - a new American fable in the tradition of The Wizard of Oz, following five heroes who pin their hopes on the treasures they bring to the Cleveland episode of Lost and Found - “America's favorite traveling appraisal show.”

    Ch. 33 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 63:10


    "Why am I here?" he said. "Here, without fixed design or stability of purpose..." Please enjoy this episode from our Varney vaults, wherein our friend James Wake joins us for another thrilling chapter of our favorite penny dreadful! To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    Victorian Etiquette Top 100 Listicle with Terrible Book Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 65:42


    You can read a whole book full of 19th century etiquette… or you can read the hastily-tacked-on final chapter listing one hundred fun facts the author didn't have space to include elsewhere. The Antiques Freaks are joined by the Terrible Book Club for some antique advice from the historical etiquette manual Frost's Laws and By-Laws of American Society by S. A. Frost (published 1869). (The editorial staff of Antiques Freaks are fully aware that “Victorian” does not accurately describe events and publications occurring in America as by the 19th century we had thoroughly thrown off the yoke of monarchy; however in the interest of SEO we are forced to title the podcast episode thus. Pray accept our deepest apologies.)

    Ch. 32 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 22:01


    "Let no words combine to place it in a tangible shape to human understanding." Please enjoy this episode from our Varney vaults! To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    Two Dollar Bills

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 27:56


    We delve into numismatics and give you our two cents on the two dollar bill! What's it worth? (About two dollars.) There is no such thing as a holofoil Thomas Jefferson.

    Ch. 31 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 31:57


    Please enjoy this chapter from our Varney vaults, wherein the vampire cracks open a book-within-a-book! To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    Questions? Answers!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 18:28


    This episode brought to you by mildew.

    Ch. 30 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 42:13


    In the spirit of spooky season, please enjoy this adventure from our Varney vaults! Our friend Tarra joins us once again for another thrilling chapter of Varney the Vampire, wherein Admiral Bell and Flora Bannerworth revive the Hollandaise. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    Q - The Sailor's Word Book (1867) - with special guest Hannah!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 22:00


    Queen's cockpit. Quietus. Quilkin. Hannah Haverkamp rejoins the Antiques Freaks to delve into the quirkiest letter of the nautical alphabet.

    sailors quietus antiques freaks
    Ch. 29 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 44:30


    Our dear friend O F Cieri joins us once again for another thrilling chapter of the Victorian penny dreadful Varney the Vampire, wherein we enter a dark dank dungeon and behold the mysterious prisoner within... Check out O F Cieri's short speculative fiction and essays at ofcieri.com, and read her spooky alt-history novel BACKMASK!

    Monster High Dolls

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 30:14


    A spooky gateway drug to ball-jointed dolls! Enjoy this 2010s fashion doll collectible with a robust secondhand market and delight in many monster puns in honor of the Halloween season.

    Lenox Spice Village

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 27:52


    If you've already  depressed yourself in looking up how much it cost to buy a house in the 1990s, consider doing the math for the price of a cottage! Once upon a time it was perfectly reasonable to spend the inflation-adjusted equivalent of fifty actual dollars on a single decorative spice jar for your proto-cottagecore kitchen. Now make it a whole set of spice jars sold through a subscription model and you too will understand their eldritch horror. At least they're cute?

    Ch. 28 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 27:28


    Behold! The twenty-eighth chapter of the Victorian penny dreadful Varney the Vampire, wherein we discover Mr. Marchdale's exculpation of himself, the search through the gardens, the spot of the deadly struggle, and the mysterious paper! To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    348 UK Auctioneering with the Gavel and the Gabble

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 45:45


    Harry and Simon of Windsor and Lyme Bay Auctions and The Gavel and the Gabble podcast join the Antiques Freaks for a chat about what we find most exciting in the antiques world of today. You can hear more of Harry and Simon by subscribing to The Gavel and the Gabble wherever you find your fave podcasts! 

    Deck Chairs with Dr. Elizabeth Yuko

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 55:27


    Dr. Elizabeth Yuko returns to educate the Antiques Freaks on the wild history of deck chairs - from tuberculosis sanitoria to the Adirondacks to the Titanic and beyond!

    346 Ch. 27 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 29:48


    While Ken recuperates, please enjoy this episode from our Varney vaults - wherein we discover the noble confidence of Flora Bannerworth in her lover, her opinion of the three letters, and the Admiral's admiration! To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    345 Women Silversmiths with Carolyn Law

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 54:41


    Carolyn Law takes Dee and Ken on an adventure throughout the hidden history of women silversmiths! Including Hester Bateman, Anne Tanqueray, Clara Barck Welles, and Frances Macbeth Glessner. Carolyn is a personal property appraiser with a specialization in silver, English, Irish, American Colonial and Federal; a collector of 18th century English silver, particularly by women silversmiths; an author of articles on silver and appraisal practice in Silver Magazine; and a member of the UK Silver Society.  You can learn more about Carolyn and her work at CarolynLawAntiques.com

    344 Ch. 26 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 24:01


    Please enjoy this chapter from our Varney vaults, wherein Charles Holland writes three letters - OR DOES HE!? To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    343 Antiques Fraud! Earl Washington Woodblocks

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 35:39


    Dee and Ken demonstrate a troubling lack of moral fiber in this fascinating tale of high art fraud! Once upon a time there was a truly excellent printmaker whose woodblock carvings and illustrations made viewers weep for their beauty. Unfortunately good art doesn't pay. You know what does? Crime. Never apologize for your art.

    342 The Terror (2018) - Historical Costuming with Hannah

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 110:57


    Our old shipmate Hannah Haverkamp returns to regale us with the historical inspiration behind the costumes of The Terror! For all your age of sail, nautical, polar exploration, Victorian, historical-fiction-with-a-supernatural-twist needs. Featuring Royal Navy uniforms (and their lack of uniformity), Inuit engineering, and the thematic tragedy of Carnivale. Hannah's Sources Parks Canada "Dressing For Arctic Expedition" Terror Camp 2022 Keynote: Annie Symon (Costume Designer) Terror Camp 2021 Panel D - Costuming: Alexa Figuerres (Uniforms and Undress), and Kit Barton (Carnivale) "Tales of the Doomed Franklin Expedition Long Ignored the Inuit Side, But “The Terror” Flips the Script" - Kat Eschner, for Smithsonian DRESSED TO KILL: BRITISH NAVAL UNIFORM, MASCULINITY, AND CONTEMPORARY FASHIONS 1748-1857 – Amy Miller THE ROYAL NAVY 1790-1970 – Robert Wilkinson-Latham HOW TO READ A SUIT – Lydia Edwards Ken's Sources Erebus by Michael Palin Terrorspotting by Tealin on tumblr every post collected under our Terror tag on tumblr Dee's Sources ‘Our ancestors returned home': How a Chilkat robe made its way back to Southeast Alaska by Tripp J Crouse, KTOO watching the ding-danged show The Terror (2018) season one on AMC

    341 Ch. 25 - Varney the Vampire, or, the Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 36:24


    Wherein Admiral Bell serves up a shaggy fish story that proves Charles Holland got his authorship talent from his uncle. Please enjoy this episode from our Varney Vaults! To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    340 Magic Lantern and Chromatropes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 14:34


    Back in MY day (read: 18th and 19th century) we had to make our OWN Netflix! Uphill! Both ways! With hand-painted frame-by-frame animations spinning around an open flame! Kids these days don't know how good they have it, or how shockingly affordable these handcrafted works of mechanical art have become on the secondary market.

    339 The Hall and Staircase - Decorative Electricity with a Chapter on Fire Risks (1891)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 20:23


    Victorian interior decorating, now with electricity! Paris of Terrible Book Club joins the Antiques Freaks for a deeper dive into our old friend Decorative Electricity. Where once we presented you a Sparknotes summary, we now give you the full text of Chapter Three: The Hall and Staircase. Join us, won't you? Thank you.

    338 Ch. 24 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 27:15


    "With a heightened colour she gently repulsed him." Please enjoy this episode from our Varney Vaults! To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.

    337 Dough Boxes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 18:28


    When is a dough box not a dough box? Learn to tell the dough boxes from the doughn't boxes with the Antiques Freaks!

    boxes dough antiques freaks
    336 Match Safes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 19:46


    Finally, a safe place for the Victorians to keep their matches. Now with attached knife!

    335 Ch. 23 - Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood (1845)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 36:49


    Jack Pringle returns! Admiral Bell meets Sir Francis Varney face-to-face! The Hollandaise are disbanded (again)! All this and more in the twenty-third chapter of Varney the Vampire! To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon!

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