What’s In and What’s Out in 2023
Dear Lee,
As we welcome the new year, collectors love to reassess what’s “in” and what is “out.” The past year has seen a welcome return of flea markets and antiques shows. We have loved being able to go to shows and, of course, indulge our passion for collecting. The No. 1 rule of collecting is focus on what you love. But it doesn’t hurt to find out that the collectibles sitting on your shelf are worth more than what you paid.
Here is my list of what I think will be hot (and not) in 2023. And here’s a tip for the smart collector: Buying what is “out” is a smart way to indulge in something you like, and possibly be ahead of the curve when that item cycles back to the “in” list.
IN:
- Dishes with birds, dogs and flowers
- Antique cut glass for wedding gifts
- Large ceramic containers for patios
- Blue Willow china (we like the Calamity Ware from Blue Willow, too)
- Vintage Pyrex dishes
- Newly painted wooden furniture
- Vintage, modern-looking metal furniture, as well as vintage plastic furniture
- Vintage video games, mint-condition or in original packaging
- Tin robot toys
- Anything made by the Shakers
- Beer and soda collectibles
- Neon signs and advertising
- Modern ceramics by important designers—the kookier the better
OUT:
- Silver—It’s a hassle to polish, but if solid, collectors can still sell it for weight in silver. Silver by important makers still sells well.
- Fancy covered dishes—fussy collectors want modern and sleek
- Lace
- Stiff portrait pictures
- Hummels (except the rare ones)
- Roseville pottery
- Bossons character wall masks, figurines, shelf ornaments, animal studies, wall plaques, lamp bases, bookends, wall clocks, thermometers, barometers, pottery figures and mirrors that were produced by the W. H. Bossons Company of Congleton, England between 1948 and 1996.
- Folk art furniture
All of us at Kovels wish you a very Happy New (Collecting) Year!
Photos: Morphy Auctions (beer sign), Morphy Auctions (robot toy), Fontaine’s Auction Gallery (cut glass bowl), Copake Auction (Blue Willow tureen), Etsy (Pyrex bowls)