Margaret Schwartz, known as The Modern Antiquarian, joins me to talk about how she went from a spontaneous antiques tour to filling a 20 foot container in a single day and launching a successful business. We discuss what it really takes to learn the trade, including early mistakes, pricing challenges, and how to spot reproductions in a market where fakes can easily fool newcomers. Margaret also shares her shift into garden antiques, from Four Seasons figures to cast stone and fountains, and what...
May 09, 2026•42 min•Ep. 208
What started as just another estate auction turned into one of the most shocking results I’ve ever seen. A worn, heavily used 18th-century Bible, something most people would overlook, ended up selling for nearly $200,000. And the most incredible part? It started at just $1. In this conversation with Dan Meader of John McInnis Auctioneers, we break down exactly how this extraordinary result came together; Dan and his colleague Jay Williamson sorted through a typical New England estate and they ul...
Apr 20, 2026•36 min•Ep. 206
In this reflective episode, Martin explores how antiques connect us to the forgotten lives of the past. A chance discovery of a granite canal post near a historic 1790 house sparks a deeper meditation on craftsmanship, stewardship, and legacy. From 18th-century canal workers to New England cabinetmakers, the objects that survive today are more than decorative artifacts — they are physical evidence of human effort, ambition, and care. Through the lens of early American furniture and historic infr...
Mar 01, 2026•8 min
This is a short podcast on my observation. Each week I hear the same unsettling phrase: “My kids don’t want my antiques.” It’s a reflection of a larger shift — fewer young people feel emotionally connected to the objects of the past, and categories like formal dining furniture, china, and traditional collections have taken a hit. Is it the internet, changing lifestyles, disposable culture, or simply shifting priorities? In this episode, I explore what’s really happening in the antiques world, wh...
Feb 27, 2026•6 min
A Boston mahogany linen press has just shattered expectations, soaring to a price level rarely seen in today’s market for American brown furniture. In this episode, Martin breaks down the remarkable sale at John McInnis Auctioneers in Amesbury, where competitive bidding pushed this exceptional piece into record territory. Joining the conversation is Martin’s good friend, Peter Sawyer —and the underbidder on the piece—who offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on what made this linen press s...
Jan 03, 2026•13 min
Martin sits down with author and historian Linda Zimmermann to explore her powerful new book, A Civil War Soldier and Me—the true story of Sgt. Albion Brooks of the 8th Connecticut Volunteers. Over the course of 30 years, Linda traced Albion’s life through original letters, diaries, and family papers spanning three generations. In this conversation, she and Martin discuss how a single Civil War soldier became a personal obsession, starting with a dusty trunk of documents and leading to thousands...
Dec 05, 2025•1 hr 18 min
In this episode, we’re joined by Johanna McBrien who has worked in the field for more than 40 years in the antiques, publishing, and museum fields. From Historic New England to teaching at RISD and Boston Architectural College, Johanna has spent her career digging into the rich stories behind furniture, interiors, and decorative arts. Johanna discusses her love for 18th century Salem, MA furniture (see our related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVB-tb1GOfk ), also she talks about what’s ...
Apr 24, 2025•52 min
The Single Portrait Martin grew up near historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire—a treasure trove of Colonial-era antiques and stories. In the 1980s, he uncovered a set of stunning fire buckets and portraits linked to local artist John S. Blunt. With help from his friend, historian Joe Copley, Martin pieced together their history, leading to a record-breaking $32,500 bid at auction. It’s a story about discovery, passion for history, and the thrill of bringing the past to life—dedicated to Joe, who hel...
Dec 07, 2024•17 min
The 1919 Molasses Flood was a tragic and significant event in the history of Boston’s North End, reflecting the challenges of a rapidly changing city after World War I. In this episode, Jake Sconyers from the HUB History podcast delves into the disaster, examining the working-class Italian immigrant community it affected, the lasting impact on the neighborhood, and how the Great Molasses Flood has become a piece of Boston's enduring mythology. BIO: Jake Sconyers is the founder and cohost of HUB ...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min
First ever monologue discussing how I got into antiques, and the adventure along the way. From digging bottles, a 1964 garage sale, to my dad auctioning for the first time by replacing a drunken auctioneer. Let's not forget a $300k rug fragment that came from the box lot of things that could not sell at a yard sale. This fragment was from the same home that we were all excited about the Paul Revere silver spoon & and lastly a story that could have inspMrs Doubtfire! Email: auctionpodcast@me....
Aug 05, 2024•34 min
Robert K. Wittman had a remarkable career as an FBI agent for 20 years, from 1988 to 2008. Specializing in art theft and cultural property crime, Robert became the FBI’s go-to expert for these types of cases. His impressive work undercover led to the recovery of over $300 billion worth of stolen art and property across 20 different countries. His extensive undercover operations are detailed in his book, Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures. He has fascinating s...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr
2010 interview with HARDCORE HISTORY'S Dan Carlin, a fascinating guest who's podcast still holds up after 11 years. Dan talks about prep for his shows, the predictable things that happen when you reflect on history and much more.
Oct 27, 2021•36 min
Founder of Art Guard, Bill Anderson discusses the art theft market, as well as Art Guard’s system which is dedicated to protecting anything that’s valuable and portable. A system that is always on, operating discreetly in the background, managed from anywhere on a mobile device.
Mar 27, 2021•28 min
Adam discusses the antiques business today in the New York City surroundings, an area of exodus, the merchandise available and how to handle things as a buyer and seller in a COVID restricted environment. Check out his website: Syl-Lee Antiques
Feb 08, 2021•26 min
Martin Willis interviews longtime friend Stephen Schofield on coins and stamps, and how rare are rare coins? What about collecting stamps? What to do for more information about what dad or grandad may have stashed away. Who to trust and what the importance is of condition and care for these historic pieces passing through our lives. For images and info check out his auction website: http://www.centennialauctions.com/
Nov 19, 2020•53 min
One of Maine's noted artists, David Vickery discusses his path on becoming an artist by first looking through a camera lens, what challenges him and what inspires him. Check out his Varieties of Maine Realism at: http://www.dvickery.com/ https://www.dowlingwalsh.com/artists/david-vickery
Oct 07, 2020•33 min
Martin Willis speaks with Mike Lord & Justin Nash who decided that they were not going to let one of the country's largest antiques shows not happen during the virus, so they created an online event to rival the experience of being there. Gates open May 12, 10:00 AM EDT. #Feelthebrim https://feelthebrim.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/BrimfieldOnline/
May 07, 2020•25 min
Curator, Rob Verbsky on the collection of planes, antique cars, motorcycles, memorabilia and more. What is considered transportation, interesting stories, the rarest of the collection, how it all began, the future and more. Check out these related links: http://owlshead.org http://owlshead.org/collections/category/aircraft http://owlshead.org/collections/category/automobiles http://owlshead.org/collections/category/motorcycles http://owlshead.org/collections/category/carriages http://owlshead.or...
Apr 25, 2020•44 min
Interviews with auction houses around the country on the new reality of "Online Only Auctions", with Stephen Fletcher of Skinner Auctioneers in Boston; Wes Cowan of Cowan's Auctions, Ohio; Rick Unruh of Clars Auction Gallery, Oakland, CA and Greg Willett, a global picker, Wisconsin. www.skinnerinc.com https://www.cowanauctions.com https://clars.com https://www.gregwillettantiques.com...
Apr 04, 2020•1 hr 14 min
Interview with Richard Wright and David Rago about their Rago/Wright merger, how it is expanding business and their perspectives on material they handle, such as buying, selling and collecting in the current market. Check out the websites: https://www.ragoarts.com/ https://www.wright20.com/ Show Notes and Transcript
Feb 11, 2020•35 min
Author, Jim Craig joins us for a fascinating interview on the finest American eagle carver of all time, John Haley Bellamy . Check out the Facebook Page.
Sep 27, 2019•41 min
A delightful conversation with Jim "Griff'" Griffith on eBay today, trends, added enhancements and the changes that social media bring to the platform. Starting with one person in a condo in 1995, growing to a global market of buyers and sellers worldwide with over 1 billion items offered at any given time. eBay's Dean of Education, Griff is an eBay seller coach, instructor, mentor and advocate with the eBay North America Marketplaces Team. In addition, he’s the author of The Official eBay Bible...
Apr 23, 2018•55 min
Anne Laure Bandle joins us from Geneva and discusses the fascinating topic of her 2016 book: The Sale of Misattributed Artworks and Antiques at Auction Some amazing cases of sleepers, jackpots and the legality of it all. Dr. Anne Laure Bandle is an attorney-at-law at the lawfim Borel & Barbey in Geneva where she advises clients in matters related to works of art, copyright, contracts, estate planning, foundations and trusts. Anne Laure Bandle website: https://www.artsandlaw.ch/...
Mar 03, 2018•1 hr 9 min
Live Streamed on YouTube, One of the world's leading Leonardo experts, Martin Kemp , who helped authenticate the $ 450 million Salvator Mundi talks about what it was like behind the scenes exploring the authenticity, the depth of the work, emotional quality and more. He later discusses the ongoing speculation of the buyer, ( the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia? ) where it may end up (possibly the Louvre Abu Dhabi ) as well as other aspects of Leonardo's work. He will be writing a book on this parti...
Dec 09, 2017•1 hr 9 min
It has been awhile, glad to be back! Martin talks live streaming with Dan Meader at John McInnis Auctioneers in Amesbury, MA. about a hidden and unknown Andy Warhol work find in a New England family attic. “I’m trudging along, it’s 150 degrees in the attic, I’m on my hands and knees going through this box that was just stuff, I can see this bubble wrap in this box that’s falling apart. … I flipped it over and I see the inscription on the back and I started shaking.” Source Auction results will b...
Dec 02, 2017•33 min
An interesting interview with Lisa Kroese, who was looking to keep herself busy in a new location. A great story of how an estate sale business was born and growing. Lisa helps out with her ideas through books and more. Check out her website expertestates.com and her helpful blog/website: estatefusion.com
Dec 07, 2015•33 min
Curator Karen E. Haas discusses how Peter J. Cohen has amassed a collection of some 50,000 vernacular photographs. He recently gave more than 1,000 of them to the Museum of Fine Arts. On display are roughly 300 for “Unfinished Stories: Snapshots From the Peter J. Cohen Collection.” The photographs, most of which are in black and white, span the first three-quarters of the last century. The show runs through Feb. 21, 2016.
Jul 26, 2015•16 min
Interview with Editor-in-Chief of Antiques & Fine Art Magazine: www.afamag.com , Johanna McBrien talks about her amazing academic and professional background as well as InCollect.com , Johanna is a boots on the ground researcher and lover of fine Period American furniture, she further discusses the importance of the arts and connection through history.
Jun 16, 2015•28 min
Aloha, it is a fun interview with the ‘psychic appraiser' and king of Pop Culture, Gary Sohmers. He knows the value of 100,000 useless objects and is nationally recognized expert in the world of collectibles. Listen in as he talks about his beginnings, and how the business has changed and much more. Check out his radio show Tuesdays 10-11:00 AM EST and North East Comic Con.
May 28, 2015•14 min
Oh to be 18 years old, and an antiques dealer! Gabe tells what it's like to be one of the few out there, he has been buying and selling for four years, and has a nice space in an active antique shop. You can email Gabe at: fichtgabe32@yahoo.com
May 02, 2015•11 min
