R&B Collection

R&B Collection From Our Family's Collection to Yours. A Lifetime of Collecting, Shared with Care

Some books are almost as interesting visually as they are to read.This 1963 edition of The Book of the American West is ...
08/21/2026

Some books are almost as interesting visually as they are to read.

This 1963 edition of The Book of the American West is a great example.

Inside are hundreds of pages covering the people and events associated with the American West — explorers, Native American tribes, soldiers, transportation, mining, lawmen and the expansion westward.

What caught my attention are the illustrations. There are historical drawings, maps, photographs and reproductions of Western artwork throughout the book, including several works by Charles M. Russell.

Even the binding reflects the subject, with Western scenes printed directly onto the cloth-covered boards.

More than six decades after it was published, it’s an interesting look not only at Western history, but at how that history was documented and presented in the early 1960s.

A quieter palette, but an incredible amount of detail.Today’s piece from the collection is a handwoven wool textile meas...
08/14/2026

A quieter palette, but an incredible amount of detail.

Today’s piece from the collection is a handwoven wool textile measuring approximately 23” x 32”, identified in the original collector’s notes with the Wide Ruins weaving tradition.

Wide Ruins weavings are especially recognizable for their finely worked horizontal bands, intricate repeating patterns and often softer, more subdued color palettes. This piece combines gray-blue, rust, brown, cream and black in a remarkably detailed design that becomes even more interesting the closer you look.

One of the things I enjoy about sharing these smaller weavings is being able to show the craftsmanship up close—the individual color changes, tightly worked lines and finished edges are much easier to appreciate in the detail photographs.

This piece comes from a longtime collection assembled over many years and has been preserved as a collectible textile.

Approximately 23” x 32” • Handwoven wool

Available from the R&B

Sometimes a piece becomes even more interesting once you start looking beyond the image itself.“Living Desert” by Gary R...
08/12/2026

Sometimes a piece becomes even more interesting once you start looking beyond the image itself.

“Living Desert” by Gary R. Johnson is a wonderful example. Johnson, born in Los Angeles in 1953, became known for his detailed paintings of wildlife and the natural landscapes of the American West. His work has been exhibited through organizations including the Pastel Society of America and Arts for the Parks, and his paintings have appeared in the secondary art market for many years.

“Living Desert” captures a quieter side of the Southwest. Rather than a sweeping desert vista, Johnson focuses closely on the vegetation itself—the ocotillo, agave and dense desert growth that can easily be overlooked from a distance. The muted blues, greens and earth tones give the painting an almost intimate feeling, showing just how much life and texture exists in an environment often described as barren.

The original presentation is part of its character as well, with a rustic wood frame, linen liner and brass title plaque identifying “Living Desert — Gary R. Johnson.”

One of the things that makes collecting older artwork so interesting is discovering more about the artist behind a piece. Sometimes the research adds an entirely new dimension to something you’ve been looking at for years.

R&B Collection

🇺🇸 Political History in Miniature — Franklin D. RooseveltToday’s look into the collection features a group of 22 vintage...
08/09/2026

🇺🇸 Political History in Miniature — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Today’s look into the collection features a group of 22 vintage Franklin D. Roosevelt campaign pinbacks, representing several different designs and political messages from the FDR era.

The buttons range from straightforward “ROOSEVELT” and “FDR” designs to campaign messages such as “I Want Roosevelt Again,” “For Roosevelt Humanity,” “A Gallant Leader,” and “Re-Elect Our President Franklin D. Roosevelt.”

One particularly interesting part of the group is a pair of Roosevelt portrait buttons marked “Labor’s Non-Partisan League.” Organized in 1936 with strong involvement from labor leaders John L. Lewis and Sidney Hillman, the organization worked to mobilize labor support for Roosevelt and the New Deal.

The artwork is part of the history as well. Red, white and blue, American flags, shields, stars and Roosevelt’s portrait appear repeatedly. Eventually, just three letters—FDR—were enough to make the candidate immediately recognizable.

After roughly eight to nine decades, these buttons naturally show their age. That’s also part of their appeal. They weren’t originally created to become collectibles generations later—they were inexpensive pieces of campaign advertising meant to be pinned to a coat, shirt or hat and worn by Roosevelt supporters.

Today, they survive as small pieces of American political and advertising history.

R&B Collection | Preserving and sharing pieces of the past

The beauty of Navajo weaving is often found in its balance.This weaving uses a bold geometric design with a striking bla...
08/03/2026

The beauty of Navajo weaving is often found in its balance.

This weaving uses a bold geometric design with a striking black border that frames the central motif, creating a sense of symmetry and movement. The rich red field, natural gray wool, and cream accents provide a timeless Southwestern palette that remains just as appealing in today’s homes as it was decades ago.

Whether displayed on a wall or used as an accent rug, pieces like this reflect generations of weaving traditions where every line and color was placed with purpose.

Thank you for following along as we continue sharing pieces from a remarkable family collection and the craftsmanship behind them.

Every object has a story… we’re honored to help preserve and share it.

History isn’t just preserved in museums—it lives in the pages of books like this.Long before photography, engraved illus...
08/01/2026

History isn’t just preserved in museums—it lives in the pages of books like this.

Long before photography, engraved illustrations were one of the primary ways people experienced history. Publishers used detailed wood engravings to bring important events and people to life, allowing readers to visualize stories that shaped generations.

This volume has survived well over a century, carrying not only the words of its author but also the craftsmanship of early bookbinding. The embossed leather cover, hand-set type, and engraved illustrations reflect an era when books were built to last and often became treasured family heirlooms.

Whether every historical account reflects modern scholarship or not, books like this remain valuable artifacts because they preserve how history was understood and presented in their own time.

Every antique book has two stories—the history printed on its pages and the history of the people who preserved it.

R&B Collection
Every object has a story. We’re here to help preserve it.

Today’s Featured PiecePortraits like this invite us to look beyond the artwork itself and appreciate the traditions they...
07/30/2026

Today’s Featured Piece

Portraits like this invite us to look beyond the artwork itself and appreciate the traditions they represent. Facial paint, feathers, beadwork, and personal adornment have long been used by many Native American cultures to express identity, ceremony, family, and individual achievement. While each tribe has its own customs and meanings, artists often focus on these details to celebrate the beauty and dignity of Native American culture.

This signed 1991 portrait, titled “Wolf Man,” is a wonderful example of how contemporary artists continue to honor those traditions through fine art.

Every object has a story. Thank you for following along as we continue sharing pieces from the R&B Collection.

One of the things I’ve learned while researching Native American baskets is that age alone doesn’t determine a basket’s ...
07/29/2026

One of the things I’ve learned while researching Native American baskets is that age alone doesn’t determine a basket’s significance.

Collectors and historians often look at several factors together:
• The weaving technique and materials used.
• The condition and originality of the piece.
• The quality and complexity of the craftsmanship.
• Any documented history of the maker, tribe, or provenance.
• The story the basket tells about the people and culture that created it.

One of the most important lessons has been knowing when not to make assumptions. Unless there is reliable documentation or a well-established attribution, it’s often better to describe what can be observed rather than assign a specific tribal origin. Careful research helps preserve both the history of the object and the integrity of the collection.

Every basket has a story. Sometimes it’s fully documented, and sometimes it’s still waiting to be discovered. That’s part of what makes collecting and preserving these pieces so rewarding.

Every object has a story. Some tell it through words, others through the hands that made them.

— R&B Collection

Preserving and sharing the artistry, history, and craftsmanship behind the collection.

Behind Every Listing Is a LessonWhen I started R&B Collection, I thought the hardest part would be finding interesting p...
07/28/2026

Behind Every Listing Is a Lesson

When I started R&B Collection, I thought the hardest part would be finding interesting pieces.

It turns out the real work begins after that.

Every item has its own story, and every listing is an opportunity to learn something new. I spend time researching history, improving my photography, writing better descriptions, and making sure each item is packaged with the same care I’d expect if I were the buyer.

Looking back at some of my earliest listings, I can see how much I’ve grown. They weren’t bad—but experience has taught me how to present a collectible in a way that respects both the item and the collector.

One thing I’ve learned is that improvement never really ends. Every listing teaches me something I’ll use on the next one.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their knowledge, offered encouragement, and followed along on this journey. Your comments, conversations, and support have helped shape R&B Collection into what it is today.

Every object has a story. Every collector has a journey.

— Randy Anderson
R&B Collection

Today’s featured piece is a beautifully handwoven Navajo rug measuring approximately 21” x 27”.The balanced geometric de...
07/27/2026

Today’s featured piece is a beautifully handwoven Navajo rug measuring approximately 21” x 27”.

The balanced geometric design and natural earth-tone palette are classic elements that have made Navajo weaving admired by collectors for generations. Every line and color change reflects the skill and patience of the weaver, creating a piece that is both functional and artistic.

Smaller rugs like this are often displayed as wall art, table accents, or incorporated into larger collections where the weaving itself can be appreciated up close.

Every object has a story. Thank you for following along as I continue sharing pieces from this remarkable collection.

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