A Look Inside of the June Issue of Kovels Antique Trader

From the scenic tranquility of Bob Ross paintings to collectible beer serving trays, the June issue has it covered. We all make mistakes in life, but it was TV’s most famous—and mellow—painter, Bob Ross, who taught us to turn our mistakes into birds. Yes, birds. Somehow, when Ross, who is profiled in our cover story […]

From Attic to Auction: John Lennon’s Long-Lost Guitar Strikes a Chord at Nearly $2.9M

A lost piece of pop culture history, forgotten for decades until its discovery in an attic, just sold for the record price of nearly $ 2.9M. Perhaps its music-making days are not yet over. John Lennon plays the Framus guitar. Photo: Emilio Lari When Julien’s Auctions held its Music Icons auction at the Hard Rock […]

#Whatsitwednesday

Be the first to guess the pictured item by leaving a comment below. If you have your own whatsit, our editors may include it in a future post. Please email editor@kovels.com and attach a clear picture, the size, and any markings. Hopefully, we will be able to identify it for our readers! The dimensions are 50 […]

London’s Calling

Paul Kennedy – From the Editor: The moon over Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Join us on an antiquing adventure of a lifetime as we tour London this summer. I don’t know about you, but when the end of August rolls around, I’ve just about had my fill of hot dogs on the […]

The Joy of Bob Ross

Bob Ross starred in “The Joy of Painting” from 1983 to 1994. By Kris Manty With his friendly demeanor and smile, soothing voice, and poofy permed hair, Bob Ross was like that favorite teacher who never judged and always believed in you, even if you didn’t believe in yourself. “You know without question that we […]

Survey Says: Art Deco is Hot

Art Deco cabinet. Photo: Getty Images Every year, the research staff at Asheford Institute of Antiques surveys its community of more than 2,470 current students and past graduates who are actively employed or working within the antiques, collectibles, and vintage marketplaces to gauge current market trends in the United States and Canada. The 2023 Decorative […]

Reader Discovers Valuable Superman #1 Comic Book

Q: I was wondering if someone could tell me something about this Superman comic and possibly give me an idea of its value. If not, could you possibly point me in the right direction? The front and back cover of a reader’s Superman #1 (DC, 1939) comic book shows damage, but the rare book remains […]

History and Modernity Meet in the Heart of London’s East End

Old Spitalfields Market offers a unique blend of history, culture, and shopping experiences. The Robert Horner plaque above Spitalfields Market entrance. Photo: WikiCommons Old Spitalfields Market is situated right in the heart of London’s East End. Its streets are featured in the lore of London’s most famous and infamous inhabitants, including Charles Dickens and Jack the Ripper. St. Mary […]

Heritage Auctions Signature Auction Featured Treasures from the House of Romanoff

The Romanov treasures feature a captivating blend of opulence, history, and tragedy, reflecting the grandeur and tumultuous fate of this once-mighty dynasty.  On May 17, Heritage Auctions held its first Imperial Fabergé & Russian Works of Art Signature Auction, focusing on treasures from the house of Romanoff. In a press release, Nick Nicholson, the auction […]

Auction Record is a Feather in New Zealand’s Cap

Natural specimens can be expensive collectibles. You would expect a piece of rare mineral or an intact fossil to sell for thousands of dollars. But what about a feather? Extinct Huia bird pair, female in the background, male in the foreground. Photo: WikiCommons Webb’s auction house held a Material Culture live auction in Auckland, New […]