Significant Ownership

Still haven't figured out what to give that Significant Person on your list? Maybe s/he would enjoy Women & Infants Glass With Story By Jeff Turrentine. That auction ends today, so at least you can offer definitive proof that your giftee will eventually get something Significant, even if they're not getting it on Dec. 25. Plus the proceeds to got 826 National, so you'll both feel extra virtuous. Our running total after 12 auctions closed is $467.04, by the way, and...

Object No. 17 of 50 — Significant Objects v2

[Bid on this Significant Object, with story by Joe Lyons, here. Significant Objects will donate the proceeds of this auction to 826 National.]

It's true that there are many accounts of fascinating Amish dinnerware, but none is more interesting than Samuel Stoltzfus' Divining Plate, forged in 1881. "Limpy Samuel," his nickname after a disagreement he had with a mule, originally created the plate as a gift for his son, Moses. Samuel meticulously...

Object No. 16 of 50 — Significant Objects v2

[Bid on this Significant Object, with story by Sam Means, here. Significant Objects will donate the proceeds of this auction to 826 National.]

After the death of his older brother, Yuri III, in 1328, Ivan I of Moscow took up the throne of the Russian Empire, as well as residence in the royal palace. Yuri had been a well-known lover of aquatic life, and Ivan found that the private quarters of the palace were home to a staggering array of fish, some...

Object No. 15 of 50 — Significant Objects v2

[Bid on this Significant Object, with story by Shelagh Power-Chopra, here. Significant Objects will donate the proceeds of this auction to 826 National.]

Annie won the doll after a giddy round of skee ball. A stooped man behind the dirty balls handed her the doll and she pushed it into my hand as she rambled over to the tilt-a-whirl with her brother. I held it by its feathered boa at arm's length as if getting any closer would have induced a pox...

That means that, so far, we're getting a slightly higher average than in S.O. v1. We...

And should any NPR listeners find their way here as a result, welcome to the site, there is more about the project here. We're currently in Volume 2 of the project, and proceeds from this batch of 50 Significant Object auctions go to 826 National, a nonprofit that tutors youth in creative and expository writing. Get yourself an object and help a good cause, here. We'll be posting new stories and objects every weekday (with some...

So far we've had six stories contributed to our Fictionaut group, all about this music box. Fictionaut community feedback hasn't really anointed a clear champion — maybe you'd like to weigh in?

The stories (click the title to read) are:

I really enjoy reading multiple stories about the same...

Object No. 14 of 50 — Significant Objects v2

[Bid on this Significant Object, with story by Joe Wenderoth, here. Significant Objects will donate the proceeds of this auction to 826 National.]

Up for your consideration is this Antique Icelandic Menstruating Judgment Bird. Early Icelandic Judges used these birds to determine the outcome of all serious arguments. It was also used domestically—with considerably less ceremony—to resolve smaller household arguments. It works like this: in an outdoor ...

Object No. TK of 50 — Significant Objects v2

[Bid on this Significant Object, with story by Jeff Turrentine, here. Significant Objects will donate the proceeds of this auction to 826 National.]

TASTING NOTES

All wines were stored at 55 degrees and decanted for one hour before being poured into the same glass (pictured) — which, as regular readers know, is the only glass I ever use.

Marques de Riscal 2004 Rioja Reserva ($29)
Explosive cherry notes, which gently yield to black pepper, vanilla and...