Collecting
The Allure of Self-Taught Art
SAAM’s new show “We Are Made of Stories” examines the 20th-century rise and creative vision of artists who make art without formal training
Why the Smithsonian Adopted a New Policy on Ethical Collecting
For more than a century, museum artifacts were acquired in ways we no longer find acceptable. How can we repair the damage?
Why a Schoolteacher Spent 70 Years Collecting Thousands of Black History Artifacts
Elizabeth Meaders' acquisitions include sports memorabilia, civil rights posters, military paraphernalia and art
New York Antiquities Collector Returns 180 Stolen Artifacts Worth $70 Million
A deal made with the Manhattan district attorney bars billionaire Michael Steinhardt from purchasing ancient objects for the rest of his life
Inside the Global Cult of Al Capone
A recent auction of the Chicago gangster's mementos testifies to his enduring appeal—and the thorny nature of collecting items owned by criminals
Marvel at the World's Most Magnificent Moths
With thousands of species of moths worldwide, each with unique characteristics, check out these unusual specimens in the Smithsonian collections
'Super Mario 64' Is Now the World's Most Expensive Video Game
A pristine copy of the 1996 game sold at auction for $1.56 million, breaking a record set by "The Legend of Zelda" just two days prior
A Peek Inside the World's Greatest Record Store
A lovable grouch, obsessed with the magic of American sidewalk harmony, runs the Philadelphia shop
The World's Most Valuable Coin Sells at Auction for $18.9 Million
Three collectibles, including a 1993 gold "Double Eagle" and the world’s rarest stamp, fetched more than $30 million at Sotheby’s
What to Expect When the Cicadas Emerge This Spring
A trillion cicadas expected to invade the Washington metropolitan region when the ground warms to 64 degrees
How Museum Collections Advance Knowledge of Human Health
Surprisingly, mosquitoes, leeches, parasites, birds and minerals can be important sources for research to fight cancer and prevent disease
Trove of Presidential Memorabilia, From Washington's Hair to JFK's Sweater, Is Up for Sale
RR Auction is offering a collection of nearly 300 artifacts, including a signed photo of Abraham Lincoln and a pen used by FDR
Director of the American History Museum Reflects on the Challenges of Our Historic Times
Anthea M. Hartig, the Director of the National Museum of American History, reflects on the challenges of living through a historic time
How the Smithsonian and Other Museums Are Responding to the U.S. Capitol Riot
Leading institutions have started collecting artifacts and working to contextualize last week's violent attack
Secretary Lonnie Bunch on the Year Ahead for Museums
After a year fraught with challenges, we must build on our strengths for a common purpose
Have Any North American Species Become Invasive Elsewhere in the World?
You've got question. We've got experts
Meet One of the Curators Behind the Smithsonian's 640,000 Birds
Helen James' work on avian extinction helps in understanding how bird species today respond to threats like human encroachment and environmental change
Rare Rembrandt Biblical Scene Could Fetch $30 Million at Auction
In this intimate scene from Genesis, the artist depicts the moment that Abraham’s wife Sarah learns she will bear a son
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Avid Collectors Find Joy in Their Prized Possessions
At home with their collectibles, many people are expanding, shrinking or reorganizing their treasure troves
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