“What Is This?”
That’s the question we hear most at Kovels: What is this thing? Say you’re at a yard sale or flea market and wish you knew more about that eye-catching old plate, unusual vase or advertising sign. Or that strange looking contraption there in the corner – what was that used for? Click on our Identify menu at the top of the Kovels.com home page to learn how to identify antiques and collectibles like a professional. All Access subscribers tools include our Identification Guide, which teaches you to identify different types of antiques and collectibles. From pottery to silver to furniture to toys and dolls and everything in between, you’ll soon know what you’re looking at.
How Do I Do a Search in Kovels.com?
Searching is easy as 1-2-3. How’s that for an antique cliché? But it’s true.
How Do I Identify Pottery, Silver or Other Marks?
On Your Marks: How to Tell How Old an Item Is and Where It’s From
Once you’re able to identify items, the next step is to find out how old it is and where it’s from. You’ll have to be a bit of a detective but we make it easier with our Look for your Mark feature. (Our library contains more than 20,000 marks!)
To use Look for Your Mark, start with the object category, like silver or pottery. Next, use the filter fields in the left sidebar to narrow your search by shape or letter.
If your mark has specific words in it, like “Minton,” enter the keyword in the Keyword Filter at the top of the page. Then use the sidebar filters until you have found your mark.
How Do I Find Out How Much Something Is Worth?
Now that you’ve learned more using Look for Your Mark, it’s time to move on to pricing your collectibles.
The Kovels Price Guide has over 1 million prices, and we keep adding new ones. These prices are different from what you might find on other sites because a Kovels expert reviews every single price for accuracy.
What do you do when you need to find just one price out of the more than 1 million in the guide? Use the Price Guide’s special search and filter features to narrow your search.
You can search one of two ways:
Method 1
Method 2
Review Prices and Find Similar Collectibles
Once you’ve narrowed the field to just collectibles you’re interested in, click on each card to see the price and date of the sale, as well as any other relevant information. If you want to see prices for similar collectibles, click on the “Related Results” button.
Is It Easy to Use the Guide on My Phone or Tablet?
Kovels.com works great on mobile devices, which means you can bring all 1 million prices and the Guide’s efficient search tools with you to garage sales, auctions or other events. There’s no app to download. Just navigate to the Price a Collectible section of Kovels.com on your mobile device. Don’t worry the screen size will adjust to your phone.
Where Do I Start If I Want to Learn How to Buy or Sell My Antiques and Collectibles? Looking for the place to begin? Let’s start with the basics. Go to the How to Buy or Sell link located at the top of the Kovels home page. Click that and you’ll find links to:
And much more. Within each section you’ll find information on the many antique and collectible services available.
How Do I Stay Up to Date on Trends in the Antiques and Collectibles World?
In our Sales Reports section, Kovels Knowledge and All Access subscribers will find hundreds of reports with color pictures, descriptions, prices and an explanation of what influences the highs or lows. For everything from toys to formal furniture, glass, pottery, silver and more, get the low-down on your favorite collectibles.
The sales reports give the history of factories and items, as well as prices that help you determine the value of your piece. Discover how to find valuable antiques at bargain prices – and why you need a bungee cord at a flea market!
Can I Connect with Other Collectors through Kovels?
Yes! Say you have a question about early 20th century toy collectibles or want to meet up with other carnival glass aficionados. Head over to the Collector’s Corner, a space dedicated to the collector community. In this section you’ll find:
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I have a set of china inherited from my Austrian aunt. I have searched unsuccessfully for mark on this site. The mark resembles an urn with the word Austria underneath. Can anyone help me.
Please email clear photos to ATnews@aimmedia.com and we will try to help you identify your mark.
I have a Porcelain gold guilded 12″x 8″ Red White & Gold Serving Platter with 2 Punched out Handles having the mark of a Crown with A.K. under and the Marquise and a Fr under that Can anyone provide the information about it?
It’s not the most user friendly…
Does anyone actually have any luck with this site?
Mom died. Two of us left with a garage and house to empty out. This membership will be our support system. Thank you.