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March 7, 2010
Q: What is the best color glass for a bottle of beer?
email us the answer
February 28, 2010
Q: The Crystal Palace Exhibition was dedicated to which English sovereign?
A: The Crystal Palace, or the Great Exhibition of 1851, was dedicated to Prince Albert, husband of dear old Queen Victoria.
February 21, 2010
Q: How many legs does a typical Victorian Grand piano have?
A Victorian Grand Piano is usually square and has 4 legs. The more familiar baby or concert grand has three legs.
February 14, 2010
Q: When was the folding rocker popular?
A: Folding rockers became popular in the 1880's. They were part of the Eastlake Revival and had a tapestry or fabric back and seat.
February 7, 2010
Q: What is the difference between a "C" and a "S" rolltop desk?
A: A rolltop desk can have two different shaped rolls or tambours that cover the surface. One is C shaped, like a bow and the other is S shaped, like the letter S (serpentine).
January 31, 2010
What is the oldest major US sporting event?
A: The Kentucky Derby is the oldest major US Sporting event, begun in 1875.
January 17, 2010
The Lone Ranger and Leon have something in common. What is it?
A: The Lone Ranger and Leon were born in the same year. Leon only wears his mask at night. (The year was 1949.)
January 10, 2010
Question: In a pair of Victorian luster mantel lamps, what does the term luster (lustre) refer to?
Answer: A Victorian glass luster refers to the glass prisms that hang from the top of a candlestand, providing sparkling gleams or lusters of light.
January 3, 2010
Question: That American Indian "collectible" features the flower of a zucchini?
Answer: Squash Blossom Necklaces are highly sought after American Indian jewelry. They feature the repeated shapes of blossoms, often set with tourquiose.
Dec 27, 2009
Question: Which paperback book published in 1938 is so rare only 12 copies are known to exist, worth up to $15,000 each?
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck was printed in 1938 in a paperback edition but only 2000 were printed on a trial basis. One of those copies are valuable. Only 12 are known to exist, but there are surely more.
Dec 20, 2009
Question: Why are men's underwear called BVD's? (Isn't that a good Christmas question?)
The men who invented men's "short" underwear were named Bradley, Voorhees, and Day, hence the name BVD. (Why did it take 3 men to invent them? We have no idea.)
Dec 13, 2009
Question: What is the name of a music box that uses paper rolls instead of metal discs or cylinders?
A gem roller is a music box like an organ grinder. It uses paper rolls to play music.
Nov 29, 2009
Question: Name 2 countries smaller in geographical size than New York City's Central Park.
Answer: Monico and Vatican City are two countries smaller in geographical size than New York City's Central Park.
Nov 22, 2009
Question: Who was the first president to wear long pants?
Answer: James Madison was the first president to wear long pants. It was the fashion, not the inclination.
Nov 8, 2009
Question: Where did the candy bar Baby Ruth get its name?
Answer: The Babe Ruth Candy Bar was named not after the baseball player, but after a president's daughter. Ruth Cleveland, daughter of President Grover Cleveland was born in 1891 and became the darling of the public. She died in 1904, however. The candy bar was named after her due to her popularity.
Nov 1, 2009
Question: Why do baseball managers wear uniforms?
Answer: Major league rules says only people with uniforms are allowed on the field, so if you want to go to the mound, you must wear a uniform. (Not true for basketball.)
October 25, 2009
Question: What color M&M was discontinued in 1976 but re-introduced in 1987?
Answer: M&M's were introduced in 1940. They were a big hit, especially with the US Army. They discontinued the red M&M in 1976 due to public fears over red dye #2. It was never used but the public perceived it could be bad. It was re-introduced in 1987.
October 18, 2009
Question: Where is the US Flag always flown at half mast?
Answer: Arlington Cemetary, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Pearl Harbor are the three places the US flag is always flown at half mast.
October 4, 2009
Question: Which US Coin depicts Gen. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson riding a horse? Hint: It is not a Confederate coin.
Answer: The 1925 Stone Mountain Memorial Commemorative Half Dollar featured General Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson riding their horses. A coin in "good" condition is worth $50-75.
September 27, 2009
Question: How or what makes a pearl?
Pearls are formed when oysters react to irritants in their shell. They filter water to extract food. Any foreign matter causes irritation, which causes the oyster to coat the substance with nacre (mother of pearl). After several years they form pearls.
September 20, 2009
Question: What product uses a logo picturing a girl under an umbrella? Why?
Answer: The company with a logo of a girl holding an umbrella is Morton Salt. Table salt can clump in damp conditions. Morton overcame the problem by adding sodium silicoaluminate...so when it "rains, it pours."
September 13, 2009
Question: What US coin was minted as a commemorative but became so popular that it became a regular issue?
Answer: In 1932 Congress issued a quarter to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of George Washington's birth. It was intended to be used for one year but became a regular issue in 1934. It's the Washington Quarter!
Question: Who was the original actor picked for Raiders of the Lost Ark?
Answer: Tom Selleck was the original pick for the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark but declined. Harrison Ford stepped in as a replacement and his career took off.
August 30, 2009
Question: Who was Uncle Sam?
Answer: A man known as Sam Wilson from Troy, NY supplied the US troops with meat during the war of 1812. The meat was stamped US for the United States. One day a federal inspector asked what the US stamp meant. An employee responded that it was for Uncle Sam (Wilson's nickname) and it stuck (so to speak).
July 19, 2009
Question: What is the most common first name in the world? What is the most common last name?
Answer: The most common first name in the world is Leon...no, just kidding. It's actually Muhammed. The most common last name is Chang. We have no idea how many Muhammed Changs exist.
Past Week's :: July 12, 2009
Question: What do the inventors of Coke, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper have in common?
Answer: The inventors of Coke, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper were all veterans of the Civil War (which means they survived)!
Past Week's :: April 12, 2009
Question: What is the only gemstone composed of a single element?
Answer:Diamond is composed of a single element--carbon.
Past Week's :: April 5, 2009
Question: If there are 10 antique books on a bookshelf, how many ways can they be arranged?
Answer: Believe it or not, there are 3,628,800 ways. Try it and get back to us when you finish.
Past Week's :: March 29, 2009
Question: What is on the reverse side of the Alabama State quarter?
Answer: The back or reverse of the Alabama Quarter is a portrait of native Helen Keller, sitting in a chair reading a braille book.
Past Week's :: March 15, 2009
Question: Why do we say "bail" water??
The handle of a bucket or kettle is called a bale. To bail (bale) water is to dip a bucket down into the water by the handle and then throw it away.
Past Week's :: March 8, 2009
Question: Who is the world's largest consumer of sugar?
Answer: Coca Cola is the world's largest consumer of sugar.
Past Week's :: March 1, 2009
Question: To Use Me You Must Throw Me Away,
But You Will Retrieve Me When I am No Longer Needed.
What am I?
Answer: An Anchor!
Past Week's :: February 22, 2009
Question: What was the first song sung in space?
Answer: Happy Birthday was sung by the Apollo Astronauts on 3/8/69 although Brian swears there was another song first like "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra
Past Week's :: February 15, 2009
Question: Two borders have I, Though joined as One
The Straighter I stand, the faster I run?
Answer: An hour glass with dripping sand.
Past Week's :: February 2, 2009
Question: Who was the only president born on the 4th of July?
Answer: Calvin Coolidge (yes, he was a president).
Past Week's :: January 18, 2009
Question: What city merged with New York City in 1898 to become the "official" city of New York?
Answer: Brooklyn merged with New York City in 1898 to become the new "official" New York City.
Past Week's :: January 11, 2009
Question: New year's Day 1973 saw the final publication of what US magazine that had been existence for 36 years?
Answer: Life Magazine ended it's career on New Year's day in 1973.
Past Week's :: December 21, 2008
Question: Items from Czeckoslavakia are now highly collectible. This includes pottery and glass. When were they first made?
Answer: Anything marked Czeckoslavakia dates from the 20th Century since the country did not exist until 1918 when Boemia joined Slavakia to form a new country. Most of the items we see as "antiques" actually date from between World War I and World War II.
Past Week's :: December 14, 2008
Question: What happy event in Canada in 1934 casued a souveneir and collectible bonanza that lasted for many years?
The Dionne Quintuplets were born in Canada on May 28, 1934. Their birth made them famous across the world with thousands of dolls and souveniers picturing them for many years.
Past Week's :: December 7, 2008
Question: What famous pottery company closed their doors in 1954 and has become the most popular collected pottery in the US (and possibly the world)?
The Roseville Company, founded in Zanesville, Ohio in 1890 closed their plant in 1954. Their products are widely collectible. (Prices seemed to have leveled off.)
Past Week's :: November 30, 2008
Question: What do Swiss Steak and Russian Dressing have in common?
Swiss Steak and Russian Dressing have nothing in common--except that they were invented in the United States. Kind of like French Fries!
Past Week's :: October 26, 2008
Question: The Truphonic, Silvertone, and Water Witch were early brands sold by which great American company that used catalogues to sell their merchandise?
Sears &anp; Roebuck, the mighty catalogue seller from Chicago and other cities, used the names Truphonic, Silvertone, and Water Witch as their brand names. The most famous, however, is probably the Kenmore name.
Past Week's :: October 19, 2008
Question: What is a piano baby?
Answer: A piano baby is a bisque or porcelain figure of a baby, usually reclining or lying down, that was used on top of a piano to hold down the cover (textile shawl) in the late Victorian period.
Past Week's :: October 12, 2008
Question: Why do netsukes have 2 holes?
Answer:
Netsukes are small ivory figures used as toggles on the end of cords that hold a Japanese purse. The cord passed thru the holes.
Past Week's :: October 5, 2008
Question: Quezel Glass is beautiful Tiffany type art glass. What was it named for?
Answer: Quezel Art Glass is very nice, Tiffany style with irridescent colors. The name Quezel stands for a bird with vibrant colored feathers.
Past Week's :: September 28, 2008
What was John Landis Mason know for?
Answer: John Landis Mason patented a screw top canning jar in 1858 which became the standard. The date on a jar (1858) relates to the patent date, not the age of a jar.
Past Week's :: September 7, 2008
In 1910 platinum was classified as a precious metal. Why was it then restricted from jewelry use four years later?
Answer: In 1914 platinum was declared a strategic metal for war use and restricted from being used in jewelry.
Past Week's :: August 31, 2008
A tall case clock that's less than 6' high is known by an a special name? What is it? (Clue: Figure out what a tall case clock over 6' is called.)
Answer: A tall case clock over 6' tal is called a grandfather clock. One under 6' tall is often called a grandmother clock. (See Betcha Book page 87).
Past Week's :: August 24, 2008
What is the main difference between a character jug and a Toby jug?
Answer? Character jugs are usually mugs (cups) that contain a bust of a person while Toby jugs contain the full body.
Past Week's :: August 17, 2008
What is the difference between gold filled and gold plated?
Answer: Gold filled pieces have a coating of 1/20 or more of the total weight of an item, whereas gold plated pieces have a coating of 1/20 or less. (Not really a lot of scrap value.)
Past Week's :: August 10, 2008
English furniture is often named after the ruling monarch. What monarch ruled during the "Regency" or Empire period?
Answer: Early English Regency furniture dates from 1820-1830 and is named after George IV, not Regent I (there was no Regent I). I'm not sure why we didn't say Fourth Georgian, but then William IV ascended and it srewed it up. So we go from Georgian Furniture (anywhere from 1776 to 1820) to Regency furniture. Doesn't make a lot of sense.
Past Week's :: August 3, 2008
What does the words "caveat emptor" mean?
Caveat Emptor means "buyer beware." All buyers of antiques and/or collectibles should know what they are buying before they buy it...otherwise they might get "stuck."
Past Week's :: July 27, 2008
What is the Franciscan Sister Maria Innocentia known for?
Answer: Sister Maria Innocentia is known for the figures of children and animals depicted in German figurines called Hummels. Her birth name was Berta Hummel (born 1909). The Goebel Company contacted her in the 1930's when she became a nun after hearing about her sketches and paintings and asked if they could make the figures. Her last name "Hummel" became their name. It means "bumblebee."
Past Week's :: July 13, 2008
What do the initials EPNS mean? (It has nothing to do with sports!)
EPNS stands for Electroplated Nickel Silver. It is a form of silverplate-not sterling but gave the false impression that it was "hallmarked" with the 4 letters.
Past Week's :: July 6, 2008
When did Superman first appear in a comic book?
Superman first appeared in DC Action Comics in June, 1938. That first issue, in mint condition, is the Holy Grail and worth more than you can imagine. (If you listened to the show you'll know how much.)
Past Week's :: June 29, 2008
What fancy art glass (usually Art Nouveau) has the same name as an Italian carved brooch?
An Italian carved brooch made from a shell is called a cameo because of the layers of color. Art Nouveau glass made by makers such as Emile Galle (France) were layered in colors and then cut into the surface to create a 3D or carved effect. It is known as Cameo Glass.
Past Week's :: June 22, 2008
Why is a dry sink dry?
A dry sink is a piece of furniture used to wash dishes, clothes, and anything else. It was usually in the kitchen (before running water) and had a zinc liner or well in the top. Water was placed in bowls and used to wash items. As it splashed around the bowl and cascaded over, it would not damage or destroy the finish since it was lined. It would then be wiped out. That's why a dry sink is dry!
Past Week's :: June 15, 2008
What do the initials VDB stand for on a 1909 Lincoln Cent?
The initials VDB on a 1909 Lincoln Cent stand for the designer, Victor D. Brennon. They only appear on a limited number of coins in that year. A 1909S, VDB can be worth more than $350.
View the answer to past stumpers in the archive »
Past Week's :: June 8, 2008
What is the difference between a stereoscope and a stereoptican
Answer: A stereoscope is a hand held viewer for viewing cards. A stereoptician is a magic lantern that reflects the cards image to a screen.
View the answer to past stumpers in the archive »
Past Week's :: June 1, 2008
When was the first private phone installed in the US?
Answer: The phone was actually invented in Havanna, Cuba in 1849. The first demonstration in the US was by Alexander Graham Bell at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. The following year (1877) the first private phone was in use.
View the answer to past stumpers in the archive »
Past Week's :: May 25, 2008
What was Casper the Ghost's last name?
Answer: Casper the Ghost's last name was McFadden.
View the answer to past stumpers in the archive »
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