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Dean Kinzer of Kinzer Coins and the Ancient Coin Hour podcast chats with the Antiques Freaks about holding history in the palm of your hand.
Do you know the old man in the corner? The Antiques Freaks go on a wild ride to track down an antiques furniture mystery.
Meet the mind behind the PBS Mystery—Coco Raymond and Freya Weil of the Edward Gorey House in Yarmouth, Massachusetts join the Antiques Freaks to tell all about the delightfully strange and weirdly cozy world of the (in)famous American collector, author, illustrator, playwright, set and costume designer.
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?
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.
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.
Nearly 5 years ago to the day, we reviewed The Horse of the Invisible with our very best podfriends the Antiques Freaks. Years later, we realized that we had never actually read the story aloud as we had promised you, as we've done with all the other Carnacki stories. Once again, we were wrong - there is yet one more 'nack to Carn, so the Terrible Antique Book Freaks assembled anew! Dust off your Carnacki Bingo cards and enjoy a second round of the gobble-neighing contest, all set to the impeccable scoring and SFX talents of Chris (Oselka Sound). If you haven't had enough invisible horse after you listen to this episode, you can also hear our review of the story from April of 2020 in Episode 83 - The Horse of the Invisible from Carnacki, the Ghost Finder by William Hope Hodgson *Special Guests D & Ken from Antiques Freaks*
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson has been floating around in the American pop cultural stew for the last 22 years. Paris had always been interested in reading it, so when it happened to be in a pile of books some friends were giving away, she heeded the call of our dark lord and tossed it on the schedule for 2025. Get on your fancy new bicycles, affix a lightbulb to the front, grab a can of PBR, and somehow also balance a bowl of Shredded Wheat while you're at it for a wild journey from the 1880s through the early 20th century. Paris leads us through Larson's dual accounts of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and its Director of Work, Daniel Hudson Burnham, alongside the Chicago years of "America's first serial killer", H.H. Holmes (Herman Webster Mudgett). If you think you know the Holmes story because you already read this book or saw some TV dramatization - you don't. Together, we'll discover that misinformation and disinformation have suffused this story for 120 years (and counting)! Thanks to Ken from the Antiques Freaks for helping me down the research rabbit hole & to Adam Selzer for a stellar book, without which much of our disappointment in and suspicions of Larson's tale would not have been justified and relieved. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today's episode includes swindling/fraud, infidelity, sexism, racism, and murder. Links & References: H.H. Holmes: The History of the White City Devil by Adam Selzer
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
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
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.)
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.”
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.)
Queen's cockpit. Quietus. Quilkin. Hannah Haverkamp rejoins the Antiques Freaks to delve into the quirkiest letter of the nautical alphabet.
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!
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!
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.
When is a dough box not a dough box? Learn to tell the dough boxes from the doughn't boxes with the Antiques Freaks!
Happy June, everybody. The Antiques Freaks delve into the weird, wild, and wonderful world of vintage and antique produce crate labels to emerge from a twisted game with shocking treasures.
Our Patron Robin requested that we read and discuss VenCo for today's episode. Although they did not request the Antiques Freaks to be here, we felt we needed their support (and knowledge of antique spoons). Thanks so much for your longtime patronage, Robin, and we hope you enjoy our unhinged review with surprise guests! Remember that if you, too, would like to have us read and review a book of your choice on the show, you can gain that power by joining our Patreon at the appropriate tier. Although this one wasn't to our taste, we encourage you to check out other books and stories by Cherie Dimaline (https://www.cheriedimaline.com/books) and to support indigenous and marginalized authors and creators generally!
Wherein the Antiques Freaks come into possession of a curious little book and recite the scintillating tale of Dinorah.
Tarra (wellntruly) joins the Antiques Freaks for a very early draft of Interview with the Vampire. To instantly unlock over a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon!
Orlop. Over-boyed. To open lower deckers. Out-licker. Special guest Hannah Haverkamp joins the Antiques Freaks to help define all these nautical terms and more! (Press-Ganged into His Majesty's Royal Navy by One Direction. 150k words, Chapter 1/?) (Henry Peglar sails by either tack, pass it on.)
The Antiques Freaks are answering YOUR listener questions! From obscure blow molds to painful Victorian literature and everything between and beyond. What is Myrtle the Beetle and why is she so friend-shaped? What do Dee and Ken want buried with them when they die? What whimsical nonsense do they have planned for listeners in a post-Varney-the-Vampire podcasting landscape? Inquiring minds must know.
Terrible Book Club is back to help the Antiques Freaks cope with William Hope Hodgson's non-Carnacki fiction. Come for the crossdressing sailors, stay for the true story of how Dee got banned from the mantis shrimp facebook group.
Ring in the new year with the Terrible Antique Book Freaks! The Antiques Freaks join us today to do a live read of The Getting Even of Tommy Dodd by William Hope Hodgson, a cross-dressing revenge fantasy on the high seas. We know it's not a Carnacki, and we know it's not even scary, but it's the best we can do having read all the 'nacks already. As usual, we're using Eye of Argon rules to read this and we encourage you to get out your Carnacki bingo cards and help us re-tool them for more generalized Hodgson tomfoolery. In addition to our usual barnyard language, this episode includes or makes reference to: sexual humor (including foot stuff) and some bad Victorian ideas and opinions, including pedophilia.
Ken of Antiques Freaks suggested that we read this and the time is nigh. Come along with us to Atlantis and Lemuria while we try to figure out why all of sentient life in the cosmos is organized like your local Target. The return of LMJ. Additionally, we are baffled as to why authors never seem to be able to cite a quote from a famous person that's actually real. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today's episode contains: aliens, a touch of racism/eugenics, and dangerously high levels of woo-woo and conspiracy.
Hannah has rejoined the Antiques Freaks to delve into nautical nonsense! Marling-spike. Midshipman. Mollymauk. Mosquito fleet. With bonus diversions into Master & Commander, Moby-Dick, AMC's cult horror hit The Terror (2018), and Dee's insatiable hunger for mackerel.
Wood that is not wood. Regency that is not Regency. Particleboard and yet mold-injected. And Victorian? What the heck happened over at the Syracuse Ornamental Company? The Antiques Freaks are on the case!
Please enjoy this episode from our Varney vaults, wherein we rejoin Charles Holland and Flora Bannerworth in the garden of the manor for an "affecting" scene. But what effect will it have on the Antiques Freaks? To instantly unlock a hundred more chapters (literally), check out our Patreon.
A mystery no more! The Antiques Freaks chat silver hallmarks with Carolyn Law. 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
Does IKEA and West Elm furniture hold up? (No.) Does used IKEA retain value? (No.) Is West Elm worth the price, even second-hand? (No.) Join the Antiques Freaks for a rousing discussion of why you should spend your furniture dollars elsewhere. (With bonus diversions into the world of American Girl Dolls.)
The Antiques Freaks went to a book fair! Tune in to hear about our haul, plus tips and tricks for finding cool vintage and antique books in the wild - including The Last Book on the Left; Dinotopia; N. C. Wyeth; autograph books; Moon-Cussers of Cape Cod; Arthur Rackham's illustrated King Arthur; and the Witch of Wall Street herself, Hetty Green.
You asked, we answered! Dee and Ken sit down for a Q&A session with questions provided by listeners like you.
Daniel (as heard in our Magic: the Gathering episode) returns to teach the Antiques Freaks about a different kind of magic - the kind stored in ancient tomes that can only be found through secret covenants with ancient societies of tricksters. Y'know, magicians. Books with magician tricks in them. We swear we're not doing real magic. Honest.
Once upon a time, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote something besides Sherlock Holmes. (Shocking, we know.) What if you went to medical school in the 1880s and also your dormitory neighbor had an ancient Egyptian mummy? Chris and Paris have joined the Antiques Freaks to answer this most daring question. CONTENT WARNING for Victorian racism and Orientalism.
The Antiques Freaks venture out of the studio to record on location at Circa Vintage in New Bedford with owner and proprietor Chris! We chat about Brown's Beach jackets, East-West Musical Instruments leathers, Bobby from Boston, supplying costumes for films and TV, the rewards of rescuing vintage clothes from the landfill, and how to cope with moths.
Have you ever wanted to know what would happen if Sherlock Holmes encountered a vampire? Fortunately, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has written that story. Unfortunately, he wrote it whilst deep in his “fairies are totally real you guys” phase. Chris and Paris of the Terrible Book Club join the Antiques Freaks in tearing apart Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire. Enjoy!
Theatrical costume designer and age-of-sail enthusiast Hannah Haverkamp returns to Antiques Freaks to discuss the delightful and deliberate anachronisms in the historical costuming choices of HBO's pirate comedy series Our Flag Means Death. What's up with Oluwande's crocs? Why does Black Pete wear a literal actual horseshoe for a belt buckle? How is Blackbeard the connective tissue between Mad Max and Judas Priest? And is the “rather exquisite cashmere” REALLY cashmere??? Tune in to find out!
2023 - the year when all of Sherlock Holmes finally enters the public domain. To celebrate, Chris and Paris of the Terrible Book Club podcast have joined the Antiques Freaks to explore one of the worst canonical Holmes stories ever written, The Adventure of the Creeping Man.
Monica joins the Antiques Freaks to chat about Hasbro's short-lived, wildly creative, utterly baffling 1980s doll line, Moon Dreamers. (With special science lesson from Dr. Mike!)
Will Seippel, Founder and CEO of the online antiques valuation resource Worthpoint, chats with the Antiques Freaks about all things antiques, vintage, collectibles, and dealing!
Prop stylist Robin Zachary joins the Antiques Freaks to chat antiques, photography, and how a touch of artistry and design can elevate vintage reselling. Check out Robin's book Styling Beyond Instagram for a wealth of tips and info about prop styling as a career or a skill to promote your own brand.
In 1888, playwrights raced (literally) to stage the first theatrical production of Robert Louis Stevenson's instant classic horror novel. The results were… mixed. And today, Chris and Paris of the Terrible Book Club podcast have joined the Antiques Freaks and chosen to read for your pleasure the absolute worst version of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. We have done problems.
Jessie of CherryColoredTwist joins the Antiques Freaks to talk all things antique and vintage buttons!
While Dee recovers at home from an unexpected ER trip, please enjoy this episode from our Varney vaults! The Antiques Freaks are joined by Chris and Paris of the Terrible Book Club podcast to take on the fifth chapter of the Victorian penny dreadful Varney the Vampire, or, The Feast of Blood. Just the thing to get you in that spooky season spirit!
Vintage thrifter Virginia Chamlee (@vchamlee) joins the Antiques Freaks to talk about the joys of maximalist interior design, great thrift finds, and developing your own unique sense of style. Check out Virginia's new book Big Thrift Energy wherever fine books are found!
Dr. Elizabeth Yuko (The New York Times, The Atlantic, Architectural Digest) joins the Antiques Freaks to talk about the domestic science movement and the resulting sanitation craze of the late 19th and early 20th century! (Content warning for discussions of historical child endangerment, illness, and death.)
Dr. Anthony Cavo (Antique Trader) joins the Antiques Freaks to discuss his new book collecting antique photographs of dogs and their humans, Love Immortal. Learn about model dogs, how breeds have changed throughout the centuries, and antique Photoshop! (With a quick digression into post-mortem photography.) Content warning for discussions of historical and present-day child death and childbirth mortality.
Recorded on location in the biggest dollhouse shop in the world! Owner and proprietor Nathaniel Ellis joins the Antiques Freaks to talk all things dollhouses, miniatures, ABC's The Fatal Flaw, HBO's The Gilded Age, the benefits of running a physical storefront versus an online shop, and the simple delights of following one's dreams.