The November 2013 issue of Smithsonian magazine declares itself to be a "Special Collectors Edition" with cover topic "101 Objects that Made America." I got my subscription copy yesterday, so I assume it's "new on the news stands."

A short selection of the items is at In This Issue. The complete magazine gives only short "sketches" about the objects included (all of which apparently are in Smithsonian collections) but might suggest which ones would merit further curiosity, and worth a look if one happens on the issue at the local rag sellers(?).

The objects selected all have some historical connection, but in most cases are rather "ordinary objects" that just happened to have had their historical place at one time or another.

John