Long before the popularity of the immense pipe organs commonly found in churches from the 16th century on, an Alexandrian engineer invented the first keyboard instrument in 3rd Century BC called the Hydraulis. The progeny of all modern keyboard instruments …
Unlike today’s automatic washers, where the processes of both soil removal and water extraction (wringing) are done in the same device, early clothes washing required the use of a washer and separate extractor. We can trace the history of today’s …
Long before digital cinematography, computer-generated imagery and other modern motion picture technologies, the mainstay of editors in movie house “cutting rooms” was the Moviola. Originally invented by Iwan Serrurier in 1917 as a home movie projector, the name itself comes …
Miniature models of automobiles began to pop up shortly after the first cars were introduced in the early 20th century. They were originally developed, not as toys for children or as models for hobbyists, but as promotional tools and design …
Enservio Select was recently called in to determine the retail replacement value of a claimed Remington conversion rifle. The insured stated the claimed musket was built in 1812 by Remington Arms Co. and used in the Civil War (1861-1865) by …
One of the more intriguing and complex product categories in the insurance property claims world are Oriental rugs. These beautiful items have been with humans for an extraordinarily long time. The oldest one in existence is the Pazyryk Carpet dating …
For book collectors, first editions are often highly sought after, but they can vary wildly in value. If you were seeking a spine-chilling book this Halloween, for instance, a classic Stephen King first edition in good condition might set you …