Early Titian Painting, Stolen not Once but Twice, Headlines Christie’s Event

  A painting with a fascinating and convoluted backstory, which showed the early promise of a Renaissance master and went on to nab the attention of everyone from emperors to thieves—and was once left at a bus stop for good measure—is expected to create even more intrigue at an upcoming auction at Christie’s in London. […]

Collectors Play by House Rules

Gothic U-Lock exterior brass hardware set, c. 1899, 4 1/2 in. w, 10 1/4 in. h, $60. Taking something old and making it new again is one of the simple pleasures of recycling antiques and collectibles. That appeal, combined with the desire to spruce up personal spaces, is why architectural salvage is one of the […]

Rich Penn Joins Morphy’s

Renowned Iowa auction company CEO and antique advertising specialist Rich Penn has joined Morphy Auctions in the newly-created role of Market Development Officer. From his base in Waterloo, Iowa, Penn will work in tandem with Morphy’s marketing team and advise on the latest technological innovations as they apply to the auction process. Additionally, he will […]

It’s Magic!

An extremely rare, signed, self-published book by famed illusion builder Guy Jarrett sold for $60,000 to headline the early spring “Houdiana and Magic Memorabilia Event” at Potter & Potter Auctions. The 370-lot event in April realized $629,000. The top lot, Guy Jarrett’s (1881 – 1972) “Jarrett. Magic and Stage Craft Technical,” was self-published in 1936. […]

#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 143 in […]

“Saturday Night Fever” Dance Floor Lights Up Auction at Julien’s

“Saturday Night Fever” (Paramount, 1977) one sheet (27 in. by 41 in.). The movie starred John Travolta and Karen Lynn Gorney, as well as the entirety of 1970s disco scene. Image courtesy Heritage Auctions. Sometimes, a movie captures the spirit of its time. Sometimes, that spirit can be caught by a single scene, still frame, […]

#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 3.5 in […]

Mystery Lamps Feature Hollywood Glitter and Glitz

Q: These two lamps were purchased by my mother around 1961-62. They have been in my possession since my mother passed away in 2011. The lamps are about four feet tall, brass, and weigh around 25-30 pounds (just a guess). They have five rows of prisms. The lights come on from each row, bottom to […]

Fantastic Plastic: Collecting Mid-Century Costume Jewelry

By Pamela Wiggins Siegel Growing up in the 1960s, I remember the women in my life wearing jewelry decorated with some attention-grabbing plastic components. My grandmother had a super chunky bracelet embellished with simulated turquoise, and my mom had some lipstick red button earrings glammed up with clear rhinestones. My Aunt Billie even had a […]

From Rosetta to Ramses: Unveiling the Treasures of the British Museum

Explore human history and culture with us at the British Museum, home to iconic artifacts like the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. The exterior of the British Museum. Photo: WikiCommons The British Museum in London is a history, art, and culture treasure trove. With a collection that spans thousands of years of the human experience, this […]