Metal Boot

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Bruce Sterling, has ended. Original price: $3. Final price: $86.] In early 1861, before the Union blockade closed the port of New Orleans, four ships arrived from distant Naples. They bore … Continue reading

Foppish Figurine

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Rob Baedeker, has ended. Original price: $1. Final price: $17.82.] Baron Von Blauheimer “Muscle Dove” Statuette This is a porcelain statuette of the Baron Von Blauheimer holding a “peace dove” on … Continue reading

Cape Cod Shoe

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Sheila Heti, has ended. Original price: $4. Final price: $77.51.] I never thought of leaving Cape Cod. I imagined I would live there my entire life long. But then Jack and … Continue reading

Dome Doll

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Jason Grote, has ended. Original price: 99 cents. Final price: $16.49.] I wish to reassure anyone who is considering purchasing me that it is not my look of need, afflicting though … Continue reading

Popsicle-stick Construction

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Sara Ryan, has ended. Original price: $2. Final price: $15.50.] Anne Cole writes: The summer when I was nine, Mom bought boxes and boxes of popsicles on sale, lemon-lime, some discontinued … Continue reading

Duck Tray

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Stewart O’Nan, has ended. Original price: $3. Final price: $71.] Every evening when Henry came home from work, without fail, he set his briefcase on the marble-topped table in the front … Continue reading

Tin Ark

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Rebecca Wolff, has ended. Original price: 50 cents. Final price: $19.50.] There was this family, and their eight-year-old son developed a tumor on, or in, his jaw. They had it removed, … Continue reading

Spotted Dogs Figurine

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Curtis Sittenfeld, has ended. Original price: $1.00. Final price: $17.50.] It’s not that I think I married the wrong man. Because really, how can any of us make a decision except … Continue reading

Golf Ball Bank

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Todd Pruzan, has ended. Original price: $2.99. Final price: $14.50.] The worst thing is: he sees the golf-ball bank two, maybe three full minutes before it breaks his nose. It’s sitting … Continue reading

Piggybank

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Matthew De Abaitua, has closed. Original price: $1.99. Final price: $15.50] My Daddy shouts at me when I go near the piggybank, and he screams when I turn it upside down. … Continue reading

Halston Mug

[The auction on this Significant Object, with story by Mimi Lipson, has ended. Original price: 39 cents. Final price: $31.] From AW: The Lost Diaries Wednesday, June 13, 1979 Halston was having a birthday party for the Dupont twins, so … Continue reading

Fred Flintstone Pez Dispenser

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Claire Zulkey, has ended. Original price: 50 cents. Final price: $5.50.] Apparently, people collect these things. I’m not sure I understand why. Is it for the candy? I find that hard to believe. There are … Continue reading

Kitty Saucer

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by James Parker, has closed. Original price: $1.25. Final price: $15.53 ] “You know, of course,” said the periodontist, as he bore down with his scalpel, “that Nancy Pelosi is insane?” Floyd … Continue reading

Santa Nutcracker

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Kurt Andersen, has closed. Original price: $2. Final price: $15.50.] Although I live now in Indianapolis, I grew up in Gas City, which is a town (not a city) about an … Continue reading

Pen Stand

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Lizzie Skurnick, has closed. Original price: $1. Final price: $11.50.] When I was four I thought it was a periscope, or what I thought at the time was called a periscope. … Continue reading

Necking Team Button

[The auction for this Significant Object, with story by Susannah Breslin, has ended. Original price: 50 cents. Final price: $36.88] I reached my hand into the drawer, withdrew it, and looked at what lay in my palm. “ALL AMERICAN OFFICIAL … Continue reading