Innehållsförteckning för June 2024 från Kovels Antique Trader

With his friendly demeanor and smile, soothing voice and poofy permed hair, Bob Ross was like that favorite teacher who never judged and always believed in you, even if you didn’t believe in yourself. “You know without question that we don’t make mistakes here,” Ross would tell his TV audience. “We just have happy accidents.” Though his instructional painting show on PBS, “The Joy of Painting,” ended 30 years ago this year, and it’ll be 29 years in July since he died in 1995 from lymphoma at age 52, the beloved artist remains as popular as ever. Public admiration has permeated nearly every corner of pop culture, from Ross-inspired Chia Pets and other collectibles to Halloween costumes and the 2023 movie comedy “Paint,” starring Owen Wilson. Though Millennials and Generation…

Every year, the research staff at Asheford Institute of Antiques surveys its community of more than 2,470 current students and past graduates who are actively employed or working within the antiques, collectibles, and vintage marketplaces, to get a read on current market trends within the antiques, vintage and collectibles community within the United States and Canada. The 2023 Decorative Arts Trends survey results, categorized by the age groups of the “proprietor” respondents (defined as respondents operating their own antiques and vintage, or estate sale/ appraisal businesses, including online concerns), provide an inside look at the Top 10 item/genre/period listings, and their relative popularity with consumers. Art Deco continues to intrigue younger age groups (20-40) while midcentury modern remains a stalwart in the field across all three categories, according to the…

CHICAGO—An extremely rare, signed, self-published book by famed illusion builder Guy Jarrett sold for $60,000 to headline the early spring “Houdiana and Magic Memorabilia Event” at Potter & Potter Auctions. The 370-lot event in April realized $629,000. The top lot, Guy Jarrett’s (1881 - 1972) “Jarrett. Magic and Stage Craft Technical,” was self-published in 1936. This example was both a presentation copy and the first bound copy. It was signed by Jarret “Guy Jarrett/Dec. 4th/’36” to Morris Blum. The book had a presale estimate of $6,000-$9,000. Jarrett was an illusion builder constructing illusions for such-famous magicians as T. Nelson Downs and Howard Thurston, leading Broadway shows, sideshows and the Chicago world’s fairs. Harry Houdini’s “The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin” sold for $33,600. This presentation copy, first-edition book was published in New…

from the editor I don’t know about you, but when the end of August rolls around, I’ve just about had my fill of hot dogs on the grill, mosquitos, sunburn, ants circling the sticky puddle formed by my melting popsicle, guys in jorts and, for the most part, summer. Where I live, August is hot and humid, and my lawn looks a lot like I feel - wore out. Most of the time, the end of summer is a bummer. But not this year. This summer, the end of August means the beginning of something new and incredibly exciting. We’re going to London! And you’re invited to join in the fun. Kovels Antique Trader, working with professional tour operators in Europe, has just launched Antique Adventures to create unique travel…

Taking something old and making it new again is one of the simple pleasures of recycling antiques and collectibles. That appeal, combined with the desire to spruce up personal spaces, is why architectural salvage is one of the most popular trends in interior decorating. It’s satisfying for collectors to rescue items destined for landfills and give them a new purpose inside the home and outside in the yard and garden. Incorporating architectural salvage into design is a great homage to the past. It’s also something people can feel good about as going green and reusing items is great for the environment. Known as a source for salvaged goods, Architectural Antiques offered a variety of lighting and fixtures, antique shades, doors, hardware, stained-glass pieces, and many other architectural elements at its…

To list your antiques-related event (show, auction, convention, etc.) for free in Kovels Antique Trader, and on our website, antiquetrader.com, email event information (date, location, contact information, times) at least six weeks in advance to: ATNews@aimmedia.com. Listings will be included on a space-available basis. Kovels Antique Trader assumes no responsibility for any show not listed in our print editions, but it will be listed in our online calendar. CALIFORNIA Every first Sunday of the month, Alameda. Alameda Point Antiques Faire, 3900 Maine St., Alameda, CA. The Alameda Point Antiques Faire is the largest antiques show in Northern California, boasting 800 dealer booths. All items 20 years old or older. For more info, visit alamedapointantiquesfaire.com. Every first Sunday of the month through May, Palm Springs. Palm Springs Vintage Market, PS Cultural…

Reader Discovers Valuable Superman #1 Comic Book Q: I was wondering if someone could tell me something about this Superman comic and possibly give me an idea of its value? If not, could you possibly point me in the right direction? A: It appears that you have a copy of Superman #1 from DC Comics released in 1939. Without seeing it in person it is difficult to say with certainty if this is the case, but if it is original then you have a very valuable comic book on your hands. A copy of Superman #1 sold at auction for $504,000 in April while another copy sold in January for $2,340,000. Both copies are in far better shape than yours. Even so, you have a fantastic find. We will touch…

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the most valuable comic book in the world! A copy of Action Comics No. 1, the comic book that introduced Superman to the world in 1938, sold for $6 million in April at Heritage Auctions. Graded Very Fine+ 8.5 by Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), the issue is one of the world’s finest copies. Only two other unrestored issues featuring Superman’s first flight have graded higher. A copy of Superman No. 1 sold privately for $5.3 million in 2022. Action Comics No. 1 is hailed as the most important comic book published. There are only 78 copies of the issue in CGC’s population report, with the grading service estimating there are a just 100 survivors of the comic book…