Bringing you audio podcast interviews focusing on the full range of collecting antiques, art, decorative art as well as auctions and the history of it all. We conduct interviews with Auctioneers, Artists, Antique Dealers, Art Dealers, Appraisers, Experts & Specialists, Historians, Curators, Avid Collectors, Show Promoters and more. We hope to provide information touching on all segments of the industry.
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 continues to drive demand today. A big part of the conversation centers on something we both strongly believe, antiques are meant to be used and lived with, not locked away. From everyday use of inherited pieces to embracing wear as part of an object’s story, this episode highlights the personal connection that makes collecting meaningful. Margaret also reflects on her time working with Martha Stewart and how that experience shaped her eye for design, presentation, and storytelling. We also touch on buying online versus in person, the rise of platforms like Facebook Marketplace, and what the future may hold for the antiques trade, making this a thoughtful and engaging conversation about collecting, design, and the stories objects carry through time.
https://www.modernantiquarian.com (https://www.modernantiquarian.com)
20 Apr 2026
207. $1 Start Turns Into $200,000 | Rare Bible
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 ultimately uncovered a rare 1777 Boston-printed Bible tied directly to the American Revolution. Along the way, we discuss why “old” doesn’t always mean valuable, how the auction method can exceed expectations, and what truly drives collectors to push prices to extraordinary levels. This is a perfect example of why the auction method works—and why you should never underestimate what might be hiding in plain sight. If you enjoy antiques, history, and real-world appraisal stories, this one is not to be missed
John McInnis Auctioneers: https://www.mcinnisauctions.com (https://www.mcinnisauctions.com)
1 Mar 2026
206. The Lasting Marks of Human Hands
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 infrastructure, this episode considers what it means to be stewards rather than owners, and asks an important question: what will survive of us? Antiques are not about nostalgia — they are about continuity, perspective, and the quiet responsibility of preserving memory across generations.
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YouTube views
155,626
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
25 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
86
Social presence
0
YouTube
82
Engagement
51
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