Stories from the Red Baron floor

The Journal

Maker histories, buying guides and the stories behind the antique back bars, neon, stained glass and garden pieces on the Red Baron Antiques showroom floor in Roswell, Georgia.

The Bar RoomBrunswick-Balke-Collender Back Bars: Why Collectors Still Chase the Brunswick NameA Brunswick-Balke-Collender back bar is a pre-Prohibition saloon fixture from America’s leading billiard maker. History, how to identify one, and RA565.Read the story

Collector’s GuidesHow to Buy an Antique Back Bar: Measuring, Planning and Bringing It HomeHow to buy an antique back bar: measure wall, ceiling, depth and every doorway, know how it breaks into sections, and check mirrors, wood and finish.Read the story

The Bar RoomCharles Passow & Sons: The Chicago Back Bar With the Lion HeadsCharles Passow & Sons was a Chicago maker of saloon fixtures and billiard tables. What the record shows, Chicago tied houses, and our 24′ oak back bar.Read the story

Collector’s GuidesReverse-on-Glass Pub Mirrors: A Collector’s Guide to English Brewery MirrorsA reverse-on-glass pub mirror is a brewery advert painted on the back of a mirror. How they were made, Meux and Aitken’s history, care and our four.Read the story

The Bar RoomThe Morgan Silver Dollar Front Bar: A 12-Foot Bar With Money in the TopA 12-foot mahogany front bar with Morgan silver dollars set in its lacquered top: Morgan dollar history, bar sizing and care for the top.Read the story

The Bar RoomSaloon Paintings and A.D.M. Cooper: The Art That Hung Behind the BarSaloon paintings hung behind America’s great bars. The history, painter A.D.M. Cooper, and how to buy and hang a large oil painting.Read the story

Collector’s GuidesWine Cellar Antiques: A Champagne Riddling Rack, Saint-Émilion Barrel Ends and Cigar CuttersA champagne riddling rack holds bottles neck-down for remuage. How riddling works, Saint-Émilion barrel ends, cigar cutters and wine-room ideas.Read the story

Neon, Signs & AdvertisingVintage Neon: Ferrari, Porsche and the Glow of the Dealer SignNeon debuted at the 1910 Paris Motor Show. The history of neon dealer signs, Ferrari and Porsche emblems, animated neon, and what to check before you buy.Read the story

Collector’s GuidesEnglish Sporting Stained Glass: Golfers at St Andrews and Anglers on the ThamesEnglish sporting stained glass: a St Andrews golfers window, c. 1880, and angling windows, with how leaded glass is made, displayed and cared for.Read the story

Collector’s GuidesChoosing a Tiered Garden Fountain: Belgian, Antwerp and Rose MarbleHow to choose a tiered garden fountain: cast stone vs marble, height and scale, pump and GFCI power, and winterizing, with Belgian and marble fountains.Read the story

Garden & ArchitecturalGuardians at the Gate: Entry Eagles, Lions and Garden StatuaryEntry eagles, guardian lions and garden statuary: the history behind them, stone vs cast iron vs cast aluminum, placing a pair, and winter care.Read the story

Collector’s GuidesThe 1947 English Ford E83W: A Restored Vending Truck With British RootsThe Ford E83W was Ford of Britain’s 10 cwt light van, built at Dagenham 1938–1957 with a 1,172 cc side-valve engine. Specs, history and our 1947 truck.Read the story

Collector’s GuidesCollecting Vintage Coca-Cola Machines: Cavalier and MillsCavalier of Chattanooga and Mills of Chicago built classic Coca-Cola machines. Their history, the nickel Coke and what collectors check before buying.Read the story

Collector’s GuidesLouis Icart’s “La Dame aux Camélias”: An Art Deco Etching With a StoryLouis Icart’s “La Dame aux Camélias” is a 1927 Art Deco etching. Its story, technique, how to spot reproductions and how to frame it.Read the story

Neon, Signs & AdvertisingHand-Painted Champagne Advertising: Moët & Chandon, Pommery and LansonHand-painted champagne advertising panels for Moët & Chandon, Pommery and Lanson: the houses’ history, Mucha’s Moët posters, and three panels in Roswell.Read the story