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Charles H. Alexander

Antiques Dealer, Author, Bon Vivant

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Mistakes of Taste or Function: Ugly Lamps 2024

August 4, 2024 Charles H. Alexander

Like a sugar bowl entered in the “vegetable bowl” class, or a glass vase submitted to the “decorated china vase” category, one-off mistakes are certainly bound to happen when there are more than 1,000 entries in the Antiques competition at the Indiana State Fair.

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Posted in: Indiana, Observation Filed under: Indiana State Fair, Ugly Lamp Contest

Ugly Lamps Are Guaranteed to Stimulate Your Senses

July 24, 2023 Charles H. Alexander

Located on the second floor of the Home and Family Arts Building at the Indiana State Fair, this year’s selection of Ugly Lamps is guaranteed to stimulate your senses.

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Posted in: Indiana, Observation Filed under: Indiana State Fair, Ugly Lamp Contest

On Becoming an Old Man

September 21, 2022 Charles H. Alexander

As of today, I have officially turned not only into my father, but into an old man as well. Because…

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Posted in: Observation

They’re Baaacck . . .

July 29, 2022 Charles H. Alexander

This year’s Ugly Lamp Contest at the Indiana State Fair managed to pique my interest in this most interesting of categories. 

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: Indiana, Indiana State Fair, Ugly Lamp Contest

Let’s Compare Shakers

June 13, 2022 Charles H. Alexander

What looks like an Eva Zeisel Town & Country Red Wing shaker, but is not? A Vernon Kilns San Marino similarly-shaped one.

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Posted in: Objets d'Art Filed under: Eva Zeisel, Vernon Kilns

What’s an Olla Worth?

Charles H. Alexander

Looking back, the pot really looked great on the mantel, and my crystal ball didn’t tell me that today, even in this economy, that same vessel would be worth probably $5,000.

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Posted in: Dealing Filed under: olla

25 Auction Terms Explained

November 23, 2021 Charles H. Alexander

From “Absentee Bid” to “Unreserved Sale,” here are 25 auction terms explained.

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Posted in: Auctions Filed under: Auctions

On Cabbages and COVID-19

August 18, 2021 Charles H. Alexander

I enjoy judging several categories at the Indiana State Fair. It is always fun to see not only how the items in my categories are ultimately displayed, but the winners in other categories as well.

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Posted in: Indiana Filed under: COVID-19, Indiana State Fair, Vegetables

2021 “Ugly Lamp” Crop Shines

August 8, 2021 Charles H. Alexander

Due to the coronavirus cancellation last year of the Indiana State Fair, waiting two long years in order to judge this year was akin to a child counting down the days until Christmas. Judging a total of 30 categories this year—mostly china and pottery—I was truly excited for the return of the Ugly Lamp Contest.

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Posted in: Indiana Filed under: Indiana State Fair, Ugly Lamp Contest

A Day in Santa Barbara

October 21, 2018 Charles H. Alexander

“Masterful,” “earth-shaking,” and “stunning scholarship” were words that did NOT escape my lips.

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Posted in: California, Museums Filed under: George Bellows, Grandma Moses, Hans Hofman, Helen Frankenthaler, Santa Barbara Museum of Art

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