With the coming of another holiday season, it's time for Antique Talk's annual Seven Days of Christmas Wish List: a morsel of antique related entreats that should prove no problem to a well-fed man with flying reindeer and a multitude of workshop elves on his payroll. On each day of Christmas may Santa give to me:

A Lamp by Louis Comfort Tiffany:
To his father Charles's dismay, Louis Comfort took little interest in becoming a merchant in the family's jewelry business, wanting instead to be an artist. He rejected formal education. In 1865, at only 17 years of age, Louis set sail from New York on the first of several trips to study in Europe. He would be strongly influenced by the naturalistic design and hand-craftsmanship ideals of Arts & Crafts movement leaders William Morris and John Ruskin. A few years later in Nancy, France, Tiffany would be introduced to his Emile Galle who was producing decorative "Art Nouveau" glass. This was the element that would make the son even more famous than his father. Tiffany electric lamps usually incorporate a brilliant shade comprised of hundreds of small "Favrile" (iridescent) glass fragments set in a bronze framework supported by a naturalist shaped bronze or gilt bronze base. Prices for better examples can reach five, six and (for masterpieces) even seven figures today. Hey, everyone needs a lamp or two, right? P.S. Santa, please don't break the shade, OK?

A Simple Little Letter for Me:
Lincoln's November 21, 1864 Note of Sympathy to Mrs. Lydia Bixby informing her that her five son's had "died gloriously on the field of battle." One of the most beautiful letters ever written, Lincoln's touching words to the grieving mother inspired the movie, "Saving Private Ryan."

A Jersey From the Ming Dynasty:
When 7'5" 295 lb. Yao Ming left his hometown of Shanghai, China to join America's National Basket Association, many experts claimed he would never be a dominant force in the NBA and that Houston Rockets had squandered their #1 draft pick by selecting him. After a slow start, Yao now ranks first in per game field goal percentage (.615), 2nd in rebounds (6.5) and 3rd in points (11.1) amongst NBA rookies despite playing only 22 minutes per game on a guard self-interested team. In a recent game against San Antonio's twin towers, David Robinson and Tim Duncan, Yao had 27 points and 18 rebounds! Houston Rocket games are being televised in China to millions of adoring fans. I don't think I'll offer my-soon to be received-game jersey to that Chinese market just yet, however. Representing the new international focus dominating all sports today, Yao's stock is still sky Rocketing!

A Simple Little Spoon for Me:
A large 18th century coin silver stuffing spoon engraved with thirteen stars and hall-marked "REVERE." Just because I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth doesn't mean I don't covet such today.

Furniture Pre-dating 1640:
While American made chairs and tables and other objects must have certainly been present when accounts by Governor William Bradford's (1590-1657) "History of Plimouth Plantation (until 1646);" and colony leader, Edward Winslow's, in a journal known as "Mourt's Relation," were recorded, apparently no example of American made furniture provably predating 1640 is currently on record. If I am incorrect in this statement … Santa, that single old "turner"(chair maker and lathe worker) or "joiner's" (cabinetmaker) surviving handiwork is all I ask for concerning of home furnishings this Christmas. I am not an ostentatious man.

A Faberge Easter Egg for Me:
I've happy to say that this is Antique Talk's seventh Christmas Wish column! Five more and I'll have an even dozen.

Just a Few Measly Drawings for Me:
One of the most important lines of figurines in history, Goebel porcelain Hummel's, were based on the sketches drawn by a nun. In 1931, under the frightening shadow of Adolph Hitler's ascension in power, Berta Hummel sought refuge behind the walls of the Franciscan Convent in Siessen, Germany. Under the encouragement of her superiors, she practiced her aptitude for art and was two years later ordained sister Maria Innocentia. In 1933, her delightful drawings of happy children and animals in a natural setting were turned into postcards, earning her convent the first of many future commissions. Some of these cards found their way back to America and are much sought-after today. Maria's pert faced characters were soon discovered by the Goebels and, in 1935, the first "M. I. Hummel" signed figurine called "Puppy Love" appeared on the market. I would like those drawings that inspired Hummel figurines.

Sadly, unlike the happy, optimistic children depicted in her drawings, Berta spent the last ten years of her life under fearful conditions brought on by a government that was the antithesis of everything she held dear. November 6, 1946, Sister M. I. Hummel, who lived impoverished within the small confines of damp basement room, died of tuberculosis, at the age of 37. I'd like to hang my drawings in some public place-a place where we can all appreciate those renderings and remember those good people of all denominations who dedicate their life to God and his children.