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’ August 2021 newsletter features Victorian baby rattles, Indianapolis 500 memorabilia, Wedgwood majolica, Lalique glass, and modern chairs, all with photos and prices.

Collectors were charmed by the Victorian baby rattles offered in a Pennsylvania auction, and they are featured in a sale report in Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles August 2021 newsletter. Most of the rattles were sterling silver with bells or whistles to make entertaining sounds. See the top-priced rattle—it’s in the form of a sphynx with a whistle tip and sold for over $1,300—as  well as a Tiffany example with elaborate dangling bells that brought $640, and other cute keepsakes in Kovels’ latest newsletter.

Indianapolis 500 collectibles brought top dollar at auction in Indiana as collectors raced to get their hands on old programs, credentials, flags, and other memorabilia from the famous 110-year-old automobile race. Kovels’ August issue pictures the top lot toy tin race car, a model of the 1952 winning car, which went for over $2,000; a checkered flag autographed by many of the 1958 drivers, including that year’s winner; and other fun Indy 500 mementos.

Wedgwood is best known for its blue and white Jasperware and its fine china with beautiful decoration, but not many collectors are familiar with the striking majolica items made by Wedgwood artisans from 1860 to 1940. Another Indiana auction featured almost 20 pieces of Wedgwood majolica and Kovels’ August newsletter pictures plates, platters, a teapot and a cheese keeper with naturalistic designs, botanical elements and vivid colors that sold from $100 to $1,000.

Collectors still admire the enduring beauty of Lalique glass, and early René Lalique pieces are attracting very high bids. A successful bidder at a London auction paid over $38,000 for a textured glass vase shaped as a coiled serpent that was designed by René Lalique in 1924. It was signed “R. Lalique,” which helped account for the high price. Kovels’ August issue pictures other pricey pieces of Lalique, from the early, mid- and late 20th century, as well as a coordinating Dictionary of Marks that lists the different signatures found on Lalique glass.

Chairs are simple and useful, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be design-y! A Chicago auction included modern-style chairs, many by notable midcentury designers. See chairs in ergonomic forms with unexpected shapes and materials and their wide array of prices in Kovels’ latest issue.

Don’t miss Terry Kovels’ reflections on a perfect day spent—in person!—”on the road” at Ohio’s Burton Antiques Market, and enjoy seeing some of her favorite finds. The illustrated Collector’s Gallery answers readers’ questions about a German porcelain planter, a copper water still, a silver gravy boat, and a pudding mold. And more than 70 antiques and collectibles are listed in the August Buyer’s Price Guide.

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.