Learn to collect from the pros at museums
BY DR. LORI Art and Antiques
Monday, December 31, 2012
12/31/12 at 6:18 AM
On more than one occasion, I have been known to advise people that if you want to learn about art and antiques, you need to visit a museum, and another, and another. Here is an update on what's up in the fascinating world of museums.
Two museums open in Vegas
Neon Museum is the place where large-scale signs are on display. These signs, once objects of the Las Vegas skyline, are now symbols of the way life used to be on the famous strip. There are more than 150 neon signs that capture the highlights (emphasis on the lights) of Las Vegas - including the original 80 feet tall Sahara sign and the Silver Slipper's famous high heel shoe sign.
Las Vegas is also home to the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, known by the locals as The Mob Museum. The new museum appropriately opened its doors on Valentine's Day 2012.
The 1929 Valentine's Day massacre in Chicago is one of the main displays in this museum devoted to the Mafia's role in the rise and fall of Las Vegas. Amid artifacts, art and ephemera, various objects owned by famous mobsters are on view, including a Prohibition-era leather valise made by Abercrombie and Fitch featuring a false bottom to hide bottles of illegal liquor.
Civil War collections tour Virginia
It makes perfect sense that the Museum of the Confederacy is located near the former Confederate White House in Richmond, Va. The museum is working tirelessly to put more of its impressive collections on display there and also to extend its reach by exhibiting many of its important Civil War objects in historic Appomattox.
The Sesquicentennial of the Civil War has increased visits to historic battlefields including Gettysburg, Manassas, Petersburg, and key sites like McLean House in Appomattox, so the curators are working to get the artifacts to the locations where the tourists are visiting.
Some of the unbelievable objects from the collection include the sword that Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee had at his side when he surrendered to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, Lee's dress uniform from that fateful day, and the original battle flag of the Third Virginia Infantry.
Ornamental architecture exhibit at Notre Dame
At the Snite Museum on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., there is a new exhibit that focuses on drawings of architectural ornaments from the permanent collection. The show highlights the interest in decorating buildings, design principles and construction techniques dating back to the Renaissance.
At Notre Dame, they know a little bit about such things as evinced by the famous Hesburg library mosaic known as "Touchdown Jesus," a collegiate landmark that is visible from the end zone of Notre Dame Stadium.
While I am a major Michigan fan and have cheered many a day in the Big House, I have to admit that Notre Dame, the outstanding Snite Museum collections and this unmistakable campus landmark deserve a visit.
Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on Discovery channel's hit TV show, "Auction Kings." Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, or call 888-431-1010.
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