Unforgettable Desks? We Have Them

A recent “Design” auction at Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) featured several desks created by prominent midcentury modern designers including Gio Ponti, Paul Evans and George Nelson. The collection was owned by the late Peter Loughrey, a collector, curator and founder of LAMA who frequently appeared on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow. Giovanni “Gio” Ponti (1891–1979) was […]

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles February 2023 Newsletter Now Available


Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles newsletter is available as a print subscription, or as a digital version that is included in the Kovels Knowledge and Kovels All Access memberships. Start your Kovels Knowledge Free Trial now or login.


Kovels’ February 2023 newsletter features modern desks and planters, artist jewelry, bride’s baskets, tin advertising trays and classic design, all with photos and prices.

A recent art and design auction in Los Angeles featured unusual desks by prominent midcentury designers, and examples are featured in Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles February 2023 newsletter. Pictured with eye-popping prices are desks by George Nelson for Herman Miller, Richard Neutra, Lynn McLarty and Michael Kirchner, and Paul Evans, along with the priciest example—an executive desk by Gio Ponti—that fetched $37, 500.

The same Los Angeles auction included more than 20 modern ceramic planters. Kovels’ February newsletter pictures some that were oversized, like the “Pig” planter by John Follis and Rex Goode that auctioned for $7,000, and some that were smaller, like the sleek, square pot by Marilyn Kay Austin that brought $2,300, but all would add a unique, contemporary look to a houseplant’s home.

Among the lots at another Los Angeles auction were some innovative jewelry made by well-known artists such as Georges Braque, Sonia Delaunay and Claire Falkenstein. Kovels’ latest newsletter pictures some of the rings, pins and pendants pins in a wide range of prices that gave collectors a chance to buy unique and striking jewelry and little pieces of history.

Nearly 40 brides’ baskets, art glass berry or fruit bowls in decorative silver-plated frames, were offered at a Kansas auction. They were elegant gifts given to sophisticated Victorian brides. Collectors continue to love them and pay high prices when good ones come to auction. Find examples of cased glass, satin glass, and peachblow glass bowls in intricate figural silver frames and stands in Kovels’  February issue.

Old tin serving trays are popular with collectors and a recent advertising auction in New York offered many interesting choices. Kovels’ latest issue pictures an assortment of trays with interesting graphics from an old factory scene to pretty women and cute kids that advertised beer, soda and ice cream, along with their selling prices.

And last, but not least, Kovels’ reports on a show in Paris with beautiful and timeless works from European masters—lavish antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries that ranged from furniture and lighting to fine porcelain. You’ll find a visual feast (and the healthy market for the classics!) in Kovels’ February newsletter.

The Kovels go “on the road” to Design Miami 2022 to experience contemporary art firsthand. The February Dictionary of Marks identifies marks used by European porcelain companies. The Collector’s Gallery answers reader questions about a vintage pop-up valentine, a shaving bowl, an antique linen press, and a German-made punch bowl with a “toddy lifter” ladle. And more than 70 antiques and collectibles are listed in the February Buyer’s Price Guide.

unusual desks, modern planters, tin advertising trays, artist jewelry, classic design, brides baskets

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles February 2023 Newsletter

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles May 2021 Newsletter Now Available


Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles newsletter is available as a print subscription, or as a digital version that is included in the Kovels Knowledge and Kovels All Access memberships. Start your Kovels Knowledge Free Trial now or login.


Kovels’ May 2021 newsletter features Tiffany lamps and décor, the modernist jewelry of Mildred Ball, the midcentury furnishings of George Nelson, Southern folk art pottery, and vintage license plates, all with photos and prices.

Lamps with leaded glass shades, candlesticks, and other beautiful and useful objects made by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany Studios and Tiffany & Co. sold at auction in California and are featured in a sale report in Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles May 2021 newsletter. Pictured are lamps, Favrile glass vases, candleholders and desk accessories in iconic Tiffany designs that sold for thousands and tens of thousands of dollars.

Auction prices are rising for pieces by modernist jewelry designer Mildred Ball. Nearly 20 lots of her jewelry sold in Indiana where prices ranged from $150 to over $1,100. See a number of Mildred Ball pendants, choker necklaces and a bolo tie in her signature style with large and colorful polished stones in Kovels’ May newsletter, along with the paneled bracelet with abstract enamel decoration that took top price honors at the auction.

Pottery collectors at a Georgia auction paid a wide range of prices for folk pottery made by generations of Southern U.S. potters. Face jugs are now an icon of this art form and Kovels’ latest issue pictures some of the fanciful face jugs and animal figures that sold for hundreds of dollars.

Furnishings designed by George Nelson brought high auction prices in Chicago. As collectors re-think home office design, Nelson’s sleek storage systems continue to make storage both efficient and aesthetically pleasing. See some of his multi-use storage and cabinet designs as well as his Bubble Cluster lamp, Swaged Leg chair and his take on fireplace tools—and their prices—in Kovels’ May issue.

Many collectors love old automobile license plates and are on the hunt for the perfect rustic decoration for their garage, basement or bar. A recent Pennsylvania auction offered more than 250 vintage license plates that sold for collector-friendly prices. Enjoy seeing early 20th century plates used in California, Florida, Maine, Pennsylvania and other states in Kovels’ May newsletter.

Don’t miss Terry Kovel’s take on the sale of her 40-year collection of artists’ enamels or the May market report on rare Pokémon cards. The Dictionary of Marks lists marks used by Mildred Ball and other American studio jewelers. The illustrated Collector’s Gallery answers readers’ questions about a Staffordshire dish, a Vernon Kilns Fantasia vase, a carousel horse, and a carved Black Forest plaque. And more than 70 antiques and collectibles are listed in the May Buyer’s Price Guide.

kovels antiques collectibles newsletter

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles May 2021 Newsletter

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles Vol. 47 No. 9 – May 2021

Southern Folk Art Pottery … Tiffany Décor … George Nelson’s Modern Furniture …  Mildred Ball’s Modernist Jewelry … Vintage License Plates … Pokemon Cards … American Studio Jewelry Marks … Collector’s Gallery … Prices    

Interest Still Strong in George Nelson Modern Furniture  

Modern American mid-century furniture continues to get high prices and attract collectors. A recent Wright auction in Chicago included the designs of George Nelson (1908–1986). A 1955 Comprehensive Storage System by Nelson brought the third highest price at $8,450. Nelson’s goal was to make storage efficient and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. That was […]

George Nelson

Furniture from the 1950s continues to be hot among both new and longtime collectors. And no designer says “fifties” like George Nelson (1908-1986), the design director at Herman Miller Furniture Co. from 1945 to 1972. His contract allowed him to work outside the Herman Miller Furniture Company, and in 1947 he opened his own design […]

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles December 2020 Newsletter Available


Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles newsletter is available as a print subscription, or as a digital version that is included in the Kovels Knowledge and Kovels All Access memberships. Start your Kovels Knowledge Free Trial now or login.


A vintage Eisenberg Ice holiday tree pin decorates the cover of the December 2020 issue of Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles newsletter. The pin sold at a costume jewelry auction in Indianapolis, and is included in a Kovels’ December sale report that pictures other vintage Eisenberg pieces – festive pins, earrings and clips – along with their prices, for lots of holiday sparkle.

Kovels’ December newsletter is certainly on target with their sale report on an incredible collection of antique shooting gallery targets that auctioned in Missouri. Enjoy looking at the cast iron shapes such as a smiling man in the moon, cowboy, rabbit, alligator, owl, rooster, playing card suits and more. Imagine the sounds – the pings and the clangs – as well as hitting the bullseyes – one has wings that flapped, a few revolved and one even lit up – but mostly be awed by their prices that shot up to $36,000.

A recent Chicago auction featured wall clocks designed by George Nelson & Associates. Kovels’ December issue pictures examples of their innovative and sculptural designs made with unexpected materials, from the enameled steel and aluminum “Asterisk” clock to the stylized “Steering Wheel” clock of enameled metal and vinyl, which brought prices from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.

More than 200 vintage advertising tins were offered at a Pennsylvania auction. Some were figural, such as a tin shaped like a Swiss-style cottage or a windmill. Others had winter themes with holly or snow. Prices for the tins peaked at almost $3,000 for a 1930s double decker bus that once held candies. Kovels’ December newsletter pictures more priced examples with great details that collectors can enjoy as decoration or storage.

And last but not least, read about the sale of a collection of children’s books that included many of L. Frank Baum’s titles about the magical Land of Oz. Kovels’ pictures a first edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as well as later works such as The Scarecrow of Oz and Glinda of Oz with their prices.

The December Dictionary of Marks lists marks used by lesser-known makers of costume jewelry. The illustrated Collector’s Gallery answers readers’ questions about a zeppelin Christmas ornament, a Wedgwood pitcher, an Art Deco sugar and creamer set, and a vintage novelty cocktail set. And more than 70 antiques and collectibles are listed in the December Buyer’s Price Guide.

 

 

 

 

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles December 2020 Newsletter

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles December 2020 Newsletter

George Nelson Midcentury Modern Clocks 

George Nelson (1908–1986) was a leader in the midcentury modern furniture movement and best known as the designer of the Coconut Chair, Marshmallow Sofa and Ball Clock. Nelson clocks were featured in a recent sale at Wright in Chicago, including a 1961 Wheel wall clock designed by Irving Harper of George Nelson & Associates that […]

George Nelson “Fan” Clock

Some of the most popular clocks made after 1944 in the mid-century modern style were designed by an architect and journalist. George Nelson (1908-1986) graduated with a degree in architecture in 1931. He went Europe and wrote magazine articles praising the famous designers and introducing their ideas and his to the U.S. He suggested the […]

George Nelson Furniture

Today original designs by George Nelson and Associates attract prices into the hundreds of thousands. A dozen pieces sold in a September 2015 sale at Wright Auctions in Chicago, where prices ranged from $1,875 for a walnut and chrome desk, to $17,500 for a green Marshmallow sofa. George Nelson (1908-1986) was the Director of Design […]

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