Kovels Antique Trader Vol. 67 No. 10 – August 2023

Fruit Salad Jewelry … Thrift Shop Royalty… John Dillinger Collectibles … Archival Fashion … Lamps & Lighting … Catalin Radios … ’70s & ’80s Toys … Magic Memorabilia … Collector’s Gallery … Prices    

Auction of Pop Culture Legends is a Royal Triumph

Diana, Princess of Wales, played a starring role in the “Legends of Hollywood and Royalty” auction presented by Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies Sept. 6-8. Showcasing pop culture wonders from film, fashion and royalty, it was Princess Di’s wardrobe that stole the show, with three of her gowns selling for more than $1.65 million. […]

Just What the Doctor Ordered: Norwegian Metal Detectorist Unearths Gold Find of the Century

Earlier this year, Erlend Bore’s doctor told him he needed a hobby, anything to get the 51-year-old Norwegian man off the couch and moving. So Bore bought a metal detector – and promptly stumbled across Norway’s most stunning gold find in a century. In August, Bore unearthed nine coin-like gold pendants engraved with rare horse […]

Bogie and Bacall Love Affair Keepsake Comes to Auction

Despite their age difference, the silver-screen to real-life romance of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart was arguably the greatest love story of the glamorous Golden Age of Hollywood. Bacall, who was known for her alluring, sultry film presence and her distinctive, husky voice, was 20 when in 1945 she married Bogart, who at 45 was […]

From Cartier to Costume, The Unmistakable Beauty of Fruit Salad Jewelry

There are lots of nicknames costume jewelry collectors have given their favorite styles over the years. None are so fun, perhaps, as “Fruit Salad.” This term pertains to adornment made by one of the giants in the costume jewelry business to imitate a particular type of Art Deco era fine jewelry. And, as with many […]

Judy Lee Sunflower Pin

Q: I inherited this vintage sunflower pin from my grandmother. It’s marked “Judy Lee.” What is it worth? A: Judy Lee jewelry was made by Blanch-ette, Inc., of Chicago. The company was founded by Blanche Viano in 1949. Later, her husband, Aldo, became general manager of the company. In 1958 the company introduced a line […]

Christmas Pin

Q:  I received a gold pin that looks like two Christmas bells and a bow as a gift several years ago and would like to know more about it. The red and green parts are shiny, like glass. Each bell has a tiny rhinestone “clapper” and there is a red rhinestone holly berry on the […]

Charlie McCarthy Pin

Q: I’ve had a Charlie McCarthy pin since I was a little girl. I’m 91 years old now. The pin is about an inch high. Is there any interest in this? Does it have any value? A: Charlie McCarthy was the ventriloquist’s dummy used by Edgar Bergen. Bergen began performing as a ventriloquist while he […]

Rita Bracelet

Q: Can you provide any additional information on this gold bracelet? It has a word in each segment and reads “with love to darling Rita 1944 Iraq.” I was curious to know if it perhaps was gifted to Rita Hayward from Aly Khan. What do you think? A: Rita Hayworth (1918-1987) was a glamorous actress […]

Five Gifts this Mother’s Day — With A Collecting Twist!

With Mother’s Day looming, the traditional gift is, of course, flowers. Be different! This year, celebrate the special day for your mother with collectibles and vintage items all depicting or decorated with images of flowers. Mother’s Day in America was the brainchild of a woman named Anna Jarvis. She started a campaign for an official […]