KOVELS ANTIQUES
Kovels Antiques: Clocks common antique claimed to be ‘haunted’
We have heard many stories about “haunted antiques” through the years, and we often ask readers to send us their stories. Clocks seem to be the most likely to be haunted.
By By Terry Kovel , October 28, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Political pieces highly collectible
Politics is in the news every day, and we’re reminding collectors that buttons, signs, medallions, bandannas and even canes were made for past election campaigns. They are a collector’s challenge.
By By Terry Kovel , October 21, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Fortune-telling machines popular in ’30s
Zoltar the Fortune Teller is the coin-operated machine in the movie “Big” that changed Tom Hanks’ character into a grown-up. The publicity from the movie created a market for the machine, and copies were made in the 1960s and ’70s. Coin-operated fortune-telling machines were popular at amusement parks and penny arcades in the 1930s and after.
By By Terry Kovel , October 14, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Attractive urns held leeches in past centuries
Antiques sometimes remind us that Grandma’s home remedies are still the best.
By By Terry Kovel , October 07, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Sought-after antiques stem from hardships
Antique collectors who do research know that important companies grow from small companies with very talented founders who solved both personal and business problems.
By By Terry Kovel , September 30, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Refinishing can revitalize worn furniture
Original finish on antique furniture is not always a plus. Sometimes the furniture is so worn and scarred, it is too unsightly for the living room. Should it be refinished?
By By Terry Kovel , September 23, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Victory garden items popular, highly valuable
Vegetable gardens in backyards, schools and public spaces are not a new idea, and a small group of collectors like memorabilia from this forgotten part of the war effort.
By By Terry Kovel , September 16, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Old sundials draw big bucks from collectors
Sundials are not just garden ornaments. They can tell time if set up properly. They have been made for centuries, and collectors search for the flat type called “equatorial” or “equinoctial” sundials by experts, and other types like those made to hang on a wall or those that are spherical or cone-shaped.
By By Terry Kovel , September 09, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Gerz brand of beer steins still popular
Beer steins have long been popular. Today’s stein is a beer container with a hinged lid and a handle. The lid was the result of health regulations.
By By Terry Kovel , September 02, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Nursery rhyme was inspired by yarn winder
What’s a weasel? It’s an animal, of course, but in some parts of Montana you might put weasels on your ice cream – because some Montanans call M&Ms “weasels.” And in the 1700s, when the nursery rhyme “Pop Goes the Weasel” was composed, everyone knew the “weasel” of the title referred to a yarn winder.
By By Terry Kovel , August 26, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Age determines ‘antique’ versus a ‘collectible’
Antiques and collectibles are named for their age. Antiques must be more than 100 years old to be legally called “antiques.” Collectibles can be anything made less than 100 years ago. The quality of the design or the material does not matter.
By By Terry Kovel , August 12, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Red Riding Hood popular subject for many years
Folk tales like Little Red Riding Hood have been part of everyone’s childhood since the 14th century. The stories taught lessons. Red Riding Hood originally was the story of a young girl going into dark woods filled with dangers.
By Terry Kovel , August 05, 2011
Kovels Antiques: ‘Fake’ doesn’t always mean ‘worthless’
Sometimes “fake” is fine in the world of collectors. There are examples of “faux” marble made from plain white marble with a skillfully painted marblelike pattern. Inexpensive woods were grain-painted. Jewelry was made with foil-backed glass that resembled diamonds.
By Terry Kovel , July 22, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Coin-operated machines have a rich history
New slot machines and pinball games are designed to look modern and up to date. They have flashing lights and moving decorations and they make lots of noise.
By Terry Kovel , July 15, 2011
Kovels Antiques: Collectors regain interest in Brownies
In the days before Disney, many imaginary sprites that excited children’s imaginations could be found in books. In 1881, Palmer Cox wrote an illustrated story about a group of characters called “Brownies” for Wide Awake magazine.
By Terry Kovel , July 08, 2011
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