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Charles H. Alexander

Antiques Dealer, Author, Bon Vivant

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Ugly Lamp Winner Proves Any Lily Gilded Is Better

August 7, 2026 Charles H. Alexander

Once again, the days of August beckon. I dutifully, and always with renewed joy, return to the Indiana State Fairgrounds…

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

Outstanding Pottery Entries Compete at 2026 State Fair

Charles H. Alexander

Lest I be thought a rube because of my preoccupation with the Ugly Lamp competition at the Indiana State Fair,…

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Posted in: Uncategorized

Ugly Lamp Winner Is a Hole-In-One

August 3, 2025 Charles H. Alexander

Maybe it’s the heat. Maybe it’s the political landscape. Maybe it’s ME! I sat down to compose this exposé, and…

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

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

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