Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Kovels Antique Trader

One of the undisputed stars of Dana Mecum's 38th Original Spring Classic in Indianapolis was the 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (Lot S170), a true heavyweight in the muscle car world. Built through the Central Office Production Order (COPO) program and upgraded by racing legend Don Yenko, this unrestored survivor boasted a matching-numbers L72 427ci/425hp V-8 engine and four-speed manual transmission. With only 19,763 original miles and meticulous documentation, it represented one of the most coveted Camaros of its era—and bidders knew it. When the gavel fell, the car had sold for an eye-popping $715,000, nearly doubling its high estimate. That price underscores just how hot the high-end muscle car market remains, especially for rare, low-mileage originals with rock-solid provenance. For deep-pocketed collectors, this Yenko checked every box: rarity, performance, and…

Q: My father bought these posters in the 1970s and never framed them. They are 23.5 inches by 36 inches. My mom wants to sell them. Can you tell me their worth and where we could sell them? A: When trying to identify original circus posters from the many reproductions, there are several things to consider. There are certain key indicators of authenticity. My dad owned and operated a printing firm in Manhattan for many years, and I learned a great deal about printing as a kid. First, we can look at the printing and paper quality and look for signs of vintage printing techniques. Original circus posters were printed using lithography on thin paper and were often distributed folded, so you may see fold lines or creases. Reproductions are…

Many associate Adirondack furniture with the iconic lounge chair, which was created in the area in the early 1900s. But don't just sit on that stereotype. In reality, Adirondack furniture comes in all types. It is often identified for its rustic style that embodies a nature-forward philosophy rooted in a centuries-old tradition of masterful woodworking and craftsmanship. Currently on view at the Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake (ADKX) in Blue Mountain Lake, New York, are 250 historical and contemporary examples of this mountainous region's interior decor in the exhibition Natural Beauty: The Art of Rustic Furniture, which sits within the museum's new 3,000-square-foot Changing Exhibit Gallery. Presented is a visual demonstration, curated by ADKX Chief Curator Laura Rice, that explains how the Adirondacks’ wooded scenery has and…

For many jewelry collectors, Independence Day is one occasion throughout the year when foraging a stash of adornment to don a patriotic piece or two is in order. This can range from jewelry shaped like eagles and flags to pieces crafted with red, white, and blue beads. And, of course, there are noteworthy anecdotes attached to many of those collectibles. I was reminded of some of those stories when I visited the Tower of London recently and saw a plethora of red ceramic poppies on display to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Many “V for Victory” pins were worn the world over back then, including many sported by proud Americans. I also touched on some patriotic jewelry a couple of months ago when I…

While some think majolica's showiness is turned up to eleven, the pottery's over-the-top ornamentation is one of the appealing traits devoted collectors adore. Collectors also prize majolica for its history, functionality, rich jewel-toned glazes, and variety of whimsical, sculptural forms—from naturalistic and fantastical sculptures to highly detailed portraits on plates and plaques. Rare forms are especially coveted, like the boar's head tureen, which fetched $38,675 and was the star of Strawser Auction Group's majolica sale on May 24. The sale featured 668 lots by various makers, including Holdcroft, George Jones, Minton, and Wedgwood. The monumental and rare tureen, which was estimated to be worth $30,000, was made by Minton and has a rare matching fitted tray. It's the scarcest of all that company's game tureens, with few known to exist.…

Antiquing in Centralia's Downtown District You can tell a lot about a town by what it saves. In Centralia, Washington, they've saved everything from carved oak dressers and Bakelite radios to century-old murals and a downtown bandstand. The past isn't tucked away behind glass here—it's part of the streetscape. Set between Seattle and Portland, Centralia is where the freeway finally exhales and lets you slow down for a minute. You can reach it by car off I-5 (Exit 81) or ride in on the Amtrak Cascades line, which rolls in a few times a day with curious travelers and collectors looking for a quieter kind of treasure hunt. Downtown Centralia has that charm that happens when no one's trying too hard. Sidewalks are wide, buildings wear their history without apology,…

As Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show, a role that earned her three Emmy awards, Mary Tyler Moore became a television star. Her own show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77), made her an icon. As Mary Richards, who worked for WJM-TV in Minneapolis, Moore led a cast of unforgettable characters, created a role model for real-life young women entering the workforce, and won three of the show's record-breaking 29 Emmy Awards. She worked hard behind the scenes, too; The Mary Tyler Moore Show was just one of many hits produced by MTM Enterprises, the company she founded with Grant Tinker. On June 4, 2025, an auction at Doyle Auctions of Mary Tyler Moore's personal items and work memorabilia celebrated the beloved actress's life, career, and collections. Unsurprisingly,…

In one of its inaugural exhibitions since relocating to its new location in Kingston, New York, the International Museum of Dinnerware Design invites visitors to enjoy a (visual) meal with Dining Memories. On display are various styles of tablescapes, including china, silver, and plastics, presented through eleven lifelike vignettes. Each vignette is curated to inspire visitors to recall their favorite moments while sitting down for a meal, whether that was at a childhood kitchen table, at a beloved restaurant, or on vacation. Although eating a meal is a singular concept, there are many ways it can be visualized. In the exhibition sits a 1930s table and refrigerator with its door ajar, filled with blue ceramic Hall China, next to a three-piece set designed by Viktor Schreckengos with Glidden Pottery Alfred…

As VP of Global Merchandising for Chairish, Noel Fahden has a front-row seat to the ever-evolving world of vintage and antique décor. We asked her to share what's trending right now, what younger buyers are gravitating toward, and how Chairish stays ahead of the style curve. Her insights reveal a marketplace full of surprises, from the return of 1980s sculptural furniture to the growing appetite for provenance and personal storytelling in home design. What trends are you seeing right now in antique and vintage decor that might surprise our readers? One surprising trend is the growing popularity of 1980s and even early 1990s pieces, particularly bold lacquer finishes, sculptural forms, and postmodern designs once considered too recent to be “vintage.” There's also renewed interest in traditional European antiques—think Regency, Gustavian,…

After close to a thousand auctions and millions of collectibles sold, the auction house Holabird Western Americana is closing. “It is time for me to retire while I still have some gas in the tank and hopefully the wheels can stay on,” said Holabird founder Fred Holabird in a press release. Fred got his start in auctions in 1984 after working for years as a geologist in the mining industry. He proved to be the perfect fit, as he has a strong passion for historical research and a deep knowledge of American Western culture. “I found, discovered, and sold lots of stuff no one had ever thought about collecting, or even knew existed,” Fred explains. “These things led to discovering great stories about elements of history that few had thought…