How to Use Kovels

“What Is This?”

That’s the question we hear most at Kovels: What is this thing? Say you’re at a yard sale or flea market and wish you knew more about that eye-catching old plate, unusual vase or advertising sign. Or that strange looking contraption there in the corner – what was that used for? Click on our Identify menu at the top of the Kovels.com home page to learn how to identify antiques and collectibles like a professional. All Access subscribers tools include our Identification Guide, which teaches you to identify different types of antiques and collectibles. From pottery to silver to furniture to toys and dolls and everything in between, you’ll soon know what you’re looking at.

How Do I Do a Search in Kovels.com?

Searching is easy as 1-2-3. How’s that for an antique cliché? But it’s true.

  1. Do a site-wide search for articles, marks, prices, identification guides, sales reports and more for a particular collectible or category. (There’s a search bar for the entire site at the top of every page.)
  2. You can search within each section of Kovels.com. For example, if you are in the Reader Q&A on Marks section, you can search and filter from within just that section.
  3. Save your favorites easily by clicking on the “bookmark” icon on each article. Your content will be saved to the My Bookmarks section of your account.
  4. Once you get your search results click on the icon to select the type information you are looking for.
  5. Remember, your results can be sorted alphabetically, or by date. The prices can be sorted to show those with images on the top.  And you can always decide how many items per page. Don’t forget the filters on the left-hand side to further refine your search.

 

How Do I Identify Pottery, Silver or Other Marks?

On Your Marks: How to Tell How Old an Item Is and Where It’s From

Once you’re able to identify items, the next step is to find out how old it is and where it’s from. You’ll have to be a bit of a detective but we make it easier with our Look for your Mark feature. (Our library contains more than 20,000 marks!)

To use Look for Your Mark, start with the object category, like silver or pottery. Next, use the filter fields in the left sidebar to narrow your search by shape or letter.

Look for your mark filters

If your mark has specific words in it, like “Minton,” enter the keyword in the Keyword Filter at the top of the page. Then use the sidebar filters until you have found your mark.

How Do I Find Out How Much Something Is Worth?

Now that you’ve learned more using Look for Your Mark, it’s time to move on to pricing your collectibles.

The Kovels Price Guide has over 1 million prices, and we keep adding new ones. These prices are different from what you might find on other sites because a Kovels expert reviews every single price for accuracy.

What do you do when you need to find just one price out of the more than 1 million in the guide? Use the Price Guide’s special search and filter features to narrow your search.

You can search one of two ways:

Method 1

  • Select the collectible category, like Jewelry or Toys & Dolls.
  • Next, use the filters in the left sidebar to narrow your search. You’ll see different filters depending on the initial category you select. For example, “Barbie” will show up as a filter only under Toys & Dolls.

Method 2

  • If you’re searching for something very specific, you can use the keyword filter at the top of the page.
  • Then you can further refine your search with the sidebar filter tool.

Review Prices and Find Similar Collectibles

Once you’ve narrowed the field to just collectibles you’re interested in, click on each card to see the price and date of the sale, as well as any other relevant information. If you want to see prices for similar collectibles, click on the “Related Results” button.

Is It Easy to Use the Guide on My Phone or Tablet?

Kovels.com works great on mobile devices, which means you can bring all 1 million prices and the Guide’s efficient search tools with you to garage sales, auctions or other events. There’s no app to download. Just navigate to the Price a Collectible section of Kovels.com on your mobile device. Don’t worry the screen size will adjust to your phone.

Where Do I Start If I Want to Learn How to Buy or Sell My Antiques and Collectibles? Looking for the place to begin? Let’s start with the basics. Go to the How to Buy or Sell link located at the top of the Kovels home page. Click that and you’ll find links to:

And much more. Within each section you’ll find information on the many antique and collectible services available.

How Do I Stay Up to Date on Trends in the Antiques and Collectibles World?

In our Sales Reports section, Kovels Knowledge and All Access subscribers will find hundreds of reports with color pictures, descriptions, prices and an explanation of what influences the highs or lows. For everything from toys to formal furniture, glass, pottery, silver and more, get the low-down on your favorite collectibles.

The sales reports give the history of factories and items, as well as prices that help you determine the value of your piece. Discover how to find valuable antiques at bargain prices – and why you need a bungee cord at a flea market!

Can I Connect with Other Collectors through Kovels?

Yes! Say you have a question about early 20th century toy collectibles or want to meet up with other carnival glass aficionados. Head over to the Collector’s Corner, a space dedicated to the collector community. In this section you’ll find:

  • Event Calendar
    The event calendar lists different group gatherings, estate sales and auctions. You can also submit your own event.
  • Collector’s Questions
    Exclusive to Kovels Knowledge and All Access subscribers, the Collector’s Questions section gives you answers to questions asked by like-minded enthusiasts. In this section, the Kovels expert staff answers the questions, so you know you can trust the answers. After all, we’ve been at this for more than six decades!
  • Forums
    In the Forum, you can get advice from the Kovels community of collectors. We know you’ll find the answers, and we hope you’ll help answer other community members’ questions! Part of the fun of being a Kovels Knowledge or All Access member is sharing that knowledge with the greater collector community.

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles January 2022 Newsletter Now Available


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’ January 2022 newsletter features jewelry by Art Smith, Roseville pottery, vintage and antique buttons, toy train accessories, and countertop display cabinets, all with photos and prices.

 

Distinctive jewelry made by Art Smith drew high bids at auction in Los Angeles and it’s featured in a sales report in the January 2022 issue of Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles newsletter. Smith was one of the leading modernist jewelry artists of the mid-20th century and his work has a bold, expressive style. Read about Art Smith in Kovels’ first-of-the-new-year issue and enjoy seeing a selection of his bracelets, necklaces, pins and rings along with their auction prices.

Toy train sets are fun to play with, even more so with when they include accessories like train stations. A recent New Jersey auction featured a single owner’s collection of toy trains and toy train accessories and Kovels’ January newsletter pictures some of the accessories. See detailed recreations of international train stations, a country station with a crossing bar and semaphore, a hill climbing trolley, and others, with selling prices, that were made in Germany in the early 1900s.

Advertising collectibles are always popular. Some collectors specialize in vintage advertising items that were used in stores, like the countertop display cabinets that were offered at a recent Indiana auction. Find priced examples such as cabinets that once held men’s shirt collars, baby bottle caps and nipples, and even “poisons” and apothecary liquids in Kovels’ January issue.

Collectors who admire Roseville pottery will enjoy the January 2022 sales report that pictures a selection of Roseville vases auctioned recently in Cincinnati, along with their prices and a bit of information about each pattern. Then turn to the January Dictionary of Marks to see examples of marks and labels found on Roseville to help identify and date pieces you may find.

And last, but not least, take a look at vintage and antique buttons, small but interesting collectibles that range from artistic to whimsical. Examples pictured in the latest Kovels’ newsletter include buttons made with materials from Bakelite to glass to rubber to wood and learn their affordable prices.

The Kovels go “on the road” to explore “vintage” Virginia, picturing favorites from a museum in Richmond and shops in Charlottesville. The first Collector’s Gallery of the new year answers readers’ questions about a bull’s head can opener, a Nippon wall pocket, an art deco skyscraper lamp, and a plated amberina pitcher. And more than 70 antiques and collectibles are listed in the January 2022 Buyer’s Price Guide.

Kovels January 2022 newsletter

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles January 2022 Newsletter

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles December 2021 Newsletter Now Available


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’ December 2021 newsletter features rare Meissen porcelain, festive Christmas postcards, Bakelite jewelry, mechanical pictures, and antique cupboards, all with photos and prices.

 

A collection of 18th-century Meissen porcelain that smashed record prices at auction in New York City is featured in a sale report in Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles December 2021 newsletter. Every piece of Meissen was rare with a historic past, and the winning bids started at $5,000 and soared to $1.5 million. Read about this incredible collection’s complicated history and see pictures, descriptions and prices of many exceptional pieces.

Old Christmas postcards with brightly colored images of Santa Claus were sold at an Illinois auction. Kovels’ December newsletter pictures postcards from the early 1900s with images of Santa in a variety of wintery scenes from a snowy forest to the basket of a zeppelin, along with their prices. And learn a bit about dating old postcards by turning them over to see the “clues” on the backs.

A New Jersey auction included a small selection of mechanical pictures. Popular in the late 1880s and early 1900s, the framed scenes with 3D figures powered by clockwork mechanisms must have delighted children and adults alike. See the top-priced example, a turn-of-the-century vignette of family members gathered on Christmas that brought $5,000, and others that portrayed humorous scenes in Kovels’ December issue.

A few dozen antique cupboards sold at auction in Pennsylvania. Kovels’ latest newsletter pictures a corner cupboard, Dutch cupboard, hanging cupboard, jelly cupboard, milk cupboard, pie cupboard, and others, with prices. The solid materials, sturdy construction, and varied shapes and sizes make them practical and affordable additions to modern homes.

And last but not least, the Kovels found Bakelite jewelry back on auction block. The December newsletter pictures pins, bracelets, and dress clips in bright colors that recently sold for affordable prices in Toronto. Some were even iconic Bakelite shapes, like the pins with a dangling red heart, dangling cherries, and the swordfish with a Lucite fin.

In the December market report, find a collection of sleek and sculptural “everyday” items such as a blender, ice crusher, pitcher, ice bucket, and more, many by notable mid-20th century designers, that auctioned in Chicago. The illustrated December Collector’s Gallery answers readers’ questions about a silver epergne, a wicker table, an old cloth doll, and a Delft pitcher. The Dictionary of Marks lists doll makers whose marks can be identified by their shape. And more than 70 antiques and collectibles are listed in the December Buyer’s Price Guide.

kovel december 2021 newsletter cover

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles December 2021 Newsletter

Kovels Antiques, Inc Accessibility Statement

Updated: 2021

General
Our Founder, Terry Kovel, understands what it is like to live with impaired vision and hearing, furthering our commitment to strive to ensure that Kovels Antiques, Inc. services are accessible to people with disabilities. Kovels Antiques, Inc has invested a significant amount of resources to help ensure that its website is made easier to use and more accessible for people with disabilities, with the strong belief that website accessibility efforts assist all users and that every person has the right to live with dignity, equality, comfort and independence.

Accessibility on Kovels.com
Kovels.com makes available the UserWay’s Web Accessibility Widget which makes available both user-triggered remediations, such as a Dyslexia Friendly Font, and AI-Powered remediations that ensure our site is compatible with screen readers and other assistive technology. The software allows Kovels.com to improve its compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).

Enabling User-triggered Accessibility Options
The Kovels.com accessibility menu can be enabled by clicking the accessibility menu icon that appears on the middle right of the page. After triggering the accessibility menu, please wait a moment for the accessibility menu to load in its entirety.

Disclaimer
Kovels Antiques, Inc continues its efforts to constantly improve the accessibility of its site and services in the belief that it is our collective moral obligation to allow seamless, accessible, and unhindered use also for those of us with disabilities.

Despite our efforts to make all pages and content on Kovels.com fully accessible, some content may not have yet been fully adapted to the strictest accessibility standards. This may be a result of not having found or identified the most appropriate technological solution.

Here for You
If you are experiencing difficulty with any content on Kovels.com or require assistance with any part of our site, please contact us during normal business hours as detailed below and we will be happy to assist.

Contact Us
If you wish to report an accessibility issue, have any questions, or need assistance, please contact Kovels Antiques, Inc Customer Support as follows:

Email: CustomerService@Kovels.com
Phone: 1 (800) 303-1996 (Toll-free in the USA)

 

FAQs

Navigation/Site Use Questions

How can I change my username/display name?
Login. Look for “My Account” on the top right side of the website. Select the “Account details”. You should now be able to change your username/display name, password and email address.  Just click on the “Save changes” button when completed.

I forgot my password, what do I do now?
Select the “Login” on the top right side of the website. Look for the “forgot password” under the Login information. Select it and enter your email address. Click on the “Reset password” button. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.

How can I change the email address on my profile?
Make sure that you are logged into Kovels.com. Click on the “My Account” tab at the top of the webpage. Select the “Account details”. You should now be able to change your username/display name, password and email address.  Just click on the “Save changes” button when completed.

I entered personal information when I registered. Will it be publicly displayed?
No, personal information such as your name and address will not be displayed for other members to see. However, if you have used your email address as your username and you post to the forum, Kovels.com users will be able to see your email address. If you prefer to use another username, you may change your username in the My Account section of the site. Simply log in, go to My Account and then Account details.

What is the “Share” button on many Kovels.com pages?
The Share button allows you to share content from Kovels.com with other people through a variety of web services, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and many more. For instance, you can quickly post links to Kovels.com articles on your Facebook profile using the Share button.


General

What do most people do when they’re on Kovels.com?
Kovels.com is a great source for information about all kinds of antiques and collectibles, curated by experts. On the website, you can identify and get price information on your antique or collectible. Use our exclusive identification guides and our pottery, porcelain, and silver marks database. Learn the best way to buy or sell antiques or collectibles, settle an estate, or downsize. Read thousands of reader’s questions answered by experts. Find the latest collecting news and information. Subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter Kovels Komments.  

Is it free to sign up for Kovels.com?
Yes, you can post in our community calendar, directory, and forum. You can also get a free membership trial and you can subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter Kovel’s Komments. To get more in depth information, we offer membership subscriptions.

Can I print selections from your price guide or other parts of the site?
Yes, you can–for your own personal use. But, much of the information is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced for further distribution.

Can you refer me to appraisers, dealers, antique shows, etc.?
The Kovels do not provide individual referrals or lists. However, you can check our business directory to see if there are any listings there that might help you. You can also check our buy/sell guides.

Can anyone post a directory listing?
Yes. Anyone can post a directory listing, and it’s free.

Are the businesses in the directory listings endorsed by Kovels?
No, the businesses in the directory listing are not endorsed by Kovels.

What is the Community Calendar? Who is it meant to serve? Where are the events?
The Community Calendar is designed to be used by all Kovels.com users. Anyone who has registered with us can post antique-related events. If you are organizing an event or will be attending an event, please post it on the calendar so other Kovels users can learn about it!


Accessing Content

Where can I read Kovels experts’ answers to readers’ questions?
If you’d like to read our experts’ answers to readers’ questions about their antiques, go to the Collector’s Corner tab and select Collector’s Questions.

I can’t access all of the content on Kovels.com. What’s wrong?
To access all of the information on Kovels.com, you need a membership. Visit this page to subscribe.

Is there somewhere I can go to discuss questions about antiques and collectibles?
Yes! Feel free to participate in discussions about all sorts of antiques and collectibles in our forum. It’s free and you will find a wealth of knowledge. You can find our forums in the Collector’s Corner tab. To post a comment, click on “Ask questions” then follow the prompts to register or log in. You must register through the forum page, not on the main registration.

How do I stop the weekly ezine, Kovels Komments, from being emailed to me?
Just click on the “Unsubscribe” link located at the end of each Kovels Komments. Or, if you are a member or a registered user, you can go to Kovels.com, log in, and click on the email settings tab. There, you can uncheck your Kovels Komments subscription. You can also go to the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the page, select “Customer Service,” and ask them to unsubscribe you.

Will “Look For Your Mark” continue to be updated?
Yes, the database of marks will continue to be updated periodically.

Where does your information in “Look For Your Mark” come from?
Information in “Look For Your Mark” comes from Kovels’ Dictionary of Marks, Kovels’ New Dictionary of Marks, American Silver Marks and other publications.

What should I do if I can’t find my mark in your database?
If you can’t find your mark in our database, marks are also found in “Readers Q&A on Marks” “Articles on Marks” and “Identification guides.” In addition, you can do a text based or image search of a site through the magnifying glass on the top right of the screen.

What if the mark on my plate looks very similar to one of the marks in your database, but not exactly the same?
Your plate was probably made by the same company. However, unless the mark is identical, you cannot use it to date your antique. Once you have identified a maker, you can sometimes find other sources to help you date your specific mark. Manufacturers that are still in business may even post information about their marks on their own websites. 


Search

How do I search Kovels.com?
When you click on the magnifying glass on the top right of the screen, a search box will appear. You can enter either text or images into this box. Once the search is complete, you can see the results of the search organized by category.

How can I make my searches more specific?
The more search terms you put into your search, the more specific your results will be. If you’re overwhelmed by the huge number of results that appear when you search, try adding more search terms or more specific search terms. For example, a search for “England plate” will probably return more results than “Warwick plate” and a search for “19th-century Warwick plate” will be even more specific. But be careful. Your search will only return results that contain the exact words you choose. So it’s possible that there are examples of Warwick plates from the 19th century … but if they don’t contain the words “19th century” in the article, they won’t show up in your search for “19th century Warwick plate”.


Price Guide

Why don’t you include pictures of all the items listed in the price guide?
We report on tens of thousands of items every year and post multiple years of our price guides. We gather the information from a variety of sources, and pictures are not always available. Still, the price guides offer hundreds of color photos in a variety of categories. All of our pricing information has been carefully reviewed by experts, unlike other sources on the internet. Plus, websites that are solely dedicated to selling antiques and collectibles MUST post pictures of all the items up for sale–and the prices shown are always asking prices, not the prices for which pieces actually sold. Nearly all of the prices in our guides are actual sale prices (a few are asking prices for pieces that may have sold for more or less than the asking prices).

If a price in the price guide is more than a few years old, is it still relevant to me?
Yes. It shows you trends and also provides historical information on prices. That can be helpful in handling some legal situations, such as valuing items in an estate.

Why are these prices important to me?
There is no set retail price for many of the antiques that you’ll have the opportunity to buy. Therefore, the prices of similar items sold in the past are a significant indicator to help you establish the fair price of an item. Of course, every situation is unique. The item’s condition, changes in the market, etc. will all affect the final price of an antique. Note that the prices listed here are actual sale prices or asking prices.


Store/Payment

I am interested in buying an item listed in the price guide on your website. I’d like to see a picture. Where can I buy the item shown on the website?
The Kovels do not sell or buy antiques. The items listed on the website were sold at auction, shops, shows, or flea markets during the year noted.

I just ordered Kovels Knowledge which includes a digital subscription to your newsletter, “Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles,” but I have decided that I prefer a print subscription. Can you switch my Kovels Knowledge membership to a print subscription for “Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles?”
We’re sorry, but we cannot switch your Kovels Knowledge subscription to the print subscription. We can, however, cancel your Kovels Knowledge subscription and place your order for a print subscription. If your Kovels Knowledge subscription payment has been processed, you will be issued a refund, but we cannot apply this refund to the print subscription. Print subscriptions take 4-6 weeks to process, so it will take about a month for you to receive your first issue.

Can I get a hard copy of a download? I didn’t realize that I have to print out my own copy.
We’re sorry, but a “download” means you are purchasing a publication to download to your own computer to read, print or store as you choose. We cannot substitute a hard copy. If you are dissatisfied and would like the printed version, please contact customer service at customerservice@kovels.com. But, be aware that we do not sell printed versions of some downloads.

Can I sell your books in my store? Can I purchase your books wholesale from you?
Yes, you can sell the Kovels’ books in your store. We do not sell our books wholesale, but our publishers do. Please email your interest to PR@Kovels.com to obtain the contact information. We have two publishers, so please make sure you let us know which books you are interested in selling.

Do you accept electronic payments?
Yes, we accept electronic payments through one of our payment processors, PayPal or Stripe.

Can I pay for the Kovels.com Premium access by check? I don’t want to use my credit card online.
It is possible to pay by check. Send your payment to Kovels, 30799 Pinetree Rd., #305, Cleveland, OH 44124. However, if you pay by check you will not have access to your online subscription until we receive and process your check, which could take a few weeks.


Digital Subscriptions

Can you cancel a monthly subscription?

Yes, go to “My Account” on the top right of the page.  In “My Account” go to ” My Subscriptions”.  There you will see the yellow cancel button.

Can you reactivate a monthly subscription?

Yes, go to “My Account” on the top right of the page.  In “My Account” go to ” My Subscriptions”.  There you will see the yellow reactivate button.

Can you upgrade a Kovels Knowledge or Kovels Digital Subscription to All Access?

Yes, go to “My Account” on the top right of the page.  In “My Account” go to ” My Subscriptions”.  

Can you Renew an annual subscription?

Yes, go to “My Account” on the top right of the page.  In “My Account” go to ” My Subscriptions”.  There you will see the yellow renew button.

If I cancel will I get a refund?

For monthly subscribers, cancelling stops the monthly recurring charge but doesn’t not refund the transaction for the current billing period. You can continue to access your subscription until the end of the then current billing period.

For annual subscribers, contact Customerservice@kovels.com.  Refunds will be  based on the monthly recurring charge not the 50% discounted annual rates. No refunds will be given after 5 months of use.  You can continue to access your subscription until the end of the then current billing period based on your refund date.

Is there a way to turn off auto renewals?

Auto renewals for subscriptions can be turned off by going to “My Account” then “My Subscriptions”. There you will see the green “Auto Renew” button.

I was a free registered user in the “old” Kovels.com.  What can I access in the new Kovels.com?

You can access our updated business directory, events calendar, forums, comments and some areas of the website.  The price guide is now included in our Detailed Kovels Guides available as a monthly or annual subscription.

Has anything changed for subscribers to Kovels Komments, Kovels’ weekly email?

Nothing has changed.  You will still receive Komments weekly in your inbox.

 

Print Subscription

I received an invoice for a print subscription, but I never ordered a print subscription. I thought the sample issue was free.
The sample issue IS FREE. However, the sample issue request is a subscription offer. If you are not completely satisfied with your sample issue, and if you do not want to continue to receive more issues, you must return the invoice with the word “cancel” written on it. The sample issue is yours to keep. Our policy is to send only what a customer has ordered, and we never send anything unsolicited.

I received an invoice, but I didn’t receive my sample issue. I don’t want to pay for something I haven’t seen yet. What’s going on?
Our policy is to send the sample issue first, with the invoice to follow, but occasionally the invoice arrives first. We certainly understand why you are concerned and apologize for the inconvenience. If you decide to continue with the subscription, please send your payment in only after you have had ample time to decide. If you decide that a subscription is not for you, just mark “cancel” on the invoice and return it in the envelope provided. The sample issue is yours to keep, no matter what you decide.

I sent in my payment recently, but I just received an invoice. Did you get my payment?
It can take several weeks for your payment to be fully processed. More than likely, the invoice crossed in the mail with your payment. If you think too much time has passed and there has been an error, contact us at Kovels@SFSDayton.com. Please make sure that you provide your full address, including your zip code, with any print subscription inquiry.

Can you tell me my expiration date?
Your expiration date is printed on the label of each newsletter you receive in the mail. Any changes to your subscription, including renewals, can take 4-6 weeks to go into effect. Please keep this in mind when checking the expiration date on your label.

Can I submit a change of address?
Yes. You can easily make any address change for any of our publications by going to Kovels.com and clicking the Contact Us link on the bottom of every web page. Once you are on the “Contact Us” page, fill out the information and select “Print Subscriptions.” Any change to your print subscription takes 4-6 weeks to go into effect.

I live in another country and tried to order the free sample issue subscription online, but I couldn’t.
The free sample issue subscription offer is not available outside of the United States. We also no longer offer print newsletter subscriptions outside of the U.S. However, if you are a Kovels Knowledge or All-Access member, we include a digital subscription to the newsletter. You can order the digital subscription online by clicking on the “Shop Kovels” tab and following the menu from there.

I live at one address for six months of the year and at another address for the other six months. Can I submit dates for you to keep track of my addresses?
No. You must submit your change of address each time it changes. Remember to include your “old” address and your “new” address, with zip codes. Each change of address takes 4-6 weeks to go into effect. It is impossible for us to keep track of any subscribers’ winter and summer addresses. It is your responsibility to keep us informed of your address changes.

I just received a newsletter in the mail. I didn’t order it. What’s going on?
If you received a newsletter in the mail, then you or someone you know ordered it. The Kovels do not send the newsletter unsolicited. If you want us to cancel the subscription, please provide your full address and zip code to customer service or return the invoice with “cancel” written on it.

I am a print subscriber and I just tried to access the paid content of your website. Do I have to purchase something to do this?
Yes. To access paid information on the website, you need to purchase a membership– either Kovels Knowledge or All-Access. Included is a digital edition of the newsletter, and access to our 46 years of newsletter archives including interesting Q & A’s about antiques and collectibles, sale reports, tips, warnings about fakes and reproductions, and market reports.


Store Help and FAQs

Can I Pay by Check? I Don’t Feel Comfortable Using My Credit Card Online.
It is possible to place an order by calling us at 800-571-1555, Monday–Friday 9:00 am to 5 pm. Please note, your order will not ship until we have received and processed your check. For more information on the security of our site, go here.


Order Status / Shipping

How do I check the status of my order?
To check the status of your order, first make sure you’re logged in. Next, click on the “My Account” tab in the top right of the webpage. Look for “Orders” and click on it.

What do I do if an item is missing from my shipment? 
If an item is missing from your shipment, please contact customer service as soon as possible through the contact us form on the bottom of the website for or by by calling us at 800-303-1996, Monday–Friday 9:00 am to 5 pm.

How do I find out about shipping costs?
You can calculate the price of shipping the shopping cart section of the Kovels.com store. After putting the items you would like to purchase in your shopping cart, scroll to the bottom of the shopping cart page and look for the “Shipping Options.” These shipping charges match your registered address. You will have the option on the next screen to ship to a different address, and new shipping charges will be calculated before the order is placed.

Will you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship to international locations.

When will my order ship?
Please see each individual item page for more information on the availability of each item. Also, after placing your order, go the “My Orders” in the “My Account” section of the website to see your order.


Billing/Returns

Do I have to pay sales tax?
You only have to pay sales tax if you are located in the same state as our warehouse, in this case, Ohio.

Will my purchase be charged to my credit card immediately after I have made it?
Your credit card will be charged within 24 hours of placing your order.

I have a question regarding my charges: 
Go to the “My Account” section of the site and click on “Orders.” You may compare your order history on our website, with your financial records. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact customer service through the contact form or by calling us at 800-303-1996, Monday–Friday 9:00 am to 5 pm.

What is your return policy?
If you are dissatisfied with your purchase for any reason you may return new, unopened items sold through our store within 30 days for a full refund. You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of returning your item(s).

Before mailing your product back be sure to contact us for the proper return authorization, then mail the product to:
Kovels Online Store
Att. RETURNS
23600 Mercantile Rd; Suite-H
Beachwood, Ohio 44122-5949


Security

Kovels.com is committed to making sure that every purchase made on our website is secure. We take security seriously and our site has an Extended Validation SSL certificate – the highest assurance certificate available. You’ll notice that your browser address bar turns green when making a purchase with us. This green address bar is an exclusive right of websites with an Extend Validation SSL certificate and indicates that the website is secure.


Forum 

Forum Guidelines include:

– Do not post spam, advertisement, or any kind of self-promotion
– Do not post copyright-infringing material
– Do not post anything offensive including links or images 
– Do not post anyone’s personal information, including your own
– Remain respectful of other members in the forum

How to Create a New Message on the Forum

– In the “Collector’s Corner” tab, click on “Forums.”
– To register, click on “Ask Question,” a yellow button on the right side of the screen, and a new page will appear 
– The new page will say, “Register” or “Login.” If you have already registered, click “Login.” If not, register for a free account 
– Click on “Ask a question”
– Fill in the “Title” of the question, chose an appropriate category, write a description of the question, and add an image if desired

How to Post a Reply to an Existing Message
The easiest way is to post a reply to an existing message is to click on the message that you wanted to respond, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and type in the box which says, “Write your answer.”

How to Changing the Appearance of Text
Above the large white box that you type the text of your post into you’ll see a row of small, rectangular buttons. The button with “B” on it will allow you to make your text bold, “i” allows you to italicize your text, and “u” underlines your text. Below the buttons you will see two drop-down menus; these menus allow you to change the color and size of your text. To use these functions, first type your text into the large white box. Now all you need to do is highlight the text that you would like to manipulate and press one of the buttons described above.

How to Add an Image to your Post 
If you are posting a message, you will have the option to insert an image underneath the word “Description.” There is a button which says, “Insert image.” Select the image file, select “upload & insert” and you’re all set.
Note: Images must be in .jpg, .png, or .gif formats.

How to Navigate Between Different Categories in the Forum
If you go to the forum homepage you’ll see a list of all the forum sections, Pottery and Porcelain, Glass Jewelry, etc. Click on any of these to visit that section of the forum. If you want to visit a different section of the forum, go back to the forum home page. Do so by pressing the back button on your browser, or look for the “Forum” button and press that.

How to View Only the Most Recent Posts
If you are looking for the most recent answer to a question, first, click on the specific question. Then, scroll down to the beginning of the answers. At the top, you will have a menu. Click the “Newest” tab to see the most recent answers.

How to View All of My Posts
Click on “My Account” on the top right side of the screen. On the far left column you’ll find a “My Posts” button. Click on this and you will be able to view all of your posts.

How to Report a Post that Violates the Forum Guidelines
If you see a post that violates our guidelines, please report it to customerservice@kovels.com.


Directory Help and Guidelines

All sources in the Directory were posted by the listed contact or by our editor and have been edited to fit our format. Addresses change frequently, and we continually update the information on this site. We welcome additions, corrections and new listings. This information may be used in some of our books, in our monthly newsletter Kovels’ on Antiques and Collectibles and other Kovels’ forums regardless of medium. Inclusion on this site should not be considered an endorsement of any kind by Kovels Antiques Inc.

How to Create a New Directory Listing

– Locate the “How to Buy or Sell” tab near the top of the webpage and click on “Business Directory
– Click on the yellow “Submit new listing” button, which will take you to a page to register or log in.
– Once registered and logged in, click again on “How to Buy or Sell” and “Business Directory.”
– Click on the yellow “Submit new listing” button, which will bring you to a page to add the title, description, select a category and include all your contact information.
-Click “Submit the new listing” to finalize the post. The listing is complete and will appear in the directory after it is reviewed by our editor.

How to edit a directory listing

– Search for your listing in the directory.
– Once you locate your listing, click on it.
– If you posted the listing, you will get a menu at the top right corner.
– Click on the pencil icon to edit the listing.


Events Calendar Help & Guidelines

How to Add an Event

– Locate the “Collector’s Corner” tab and select the “Event Calendar
– Click on the yellow “Add an event” button
– Enter the information for the event
– Don’t forget to select the appropriate category so website users can easily find your event
– Once you have completed the form, click the “Submit Event” button to complete your post.
– You have successfully submitted your calendar entry! Our staff will now approve your entry as soon as possible, but please be patient. This process can take a day or two and sometimes even longer.

 

Please note: Kovels.com only lists events of interest to collectors and reserves the right to edit or remove listings. Inclusion on this site should not be considered an endorsement of any kind by Kovels Antiques, Inc.

Privacy Statement,Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Effective date: December 18, 2019

Kovels Antiques Inc. (“us”, “we”, or “our”) operates the Kovels.com website (hereinafter referred to as the “Service”).

This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal data when you use our Service and the choices you have associated with that data.

We use your data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. Unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy, the terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, accessible from Kovels.com

Definitions

  • Service

    Service is the Kovels.com website operated by Kovels Antiques Inc.

  • Personal Data

    Personal Data means data about a living individual who can be identified from those data (or from those and other information either in our possession or likely to come into our possession).

  • Usage Data

    Usage Data is data collected automatically either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of a page visit).

  • Cookies

    Cookies are small files stored on your device (computer or mobile device).

  • Data Controller

    Data Controller means the natural or legal person who (either alone or jointly or in common with other persons) determines the purposes for which and the manner in which any personal information are, or are to be, processed.

    For the purpose of this Privacy Policy, we are a Data Controller of your Personal Data.

  • Data Processors (or Service Providers)

    Data Processor (or Service Provider) means any natural or legal person who processes the data on behalf of the Data Controller.

    We may use the services of various Service Providers in order to process your data more effectively.

  • Data Subject (or User)

    Data Subject is any living individual who is using our Service and is the subject of Personal Data.

Information Collection and Use

We collect several different types of information for various purposes to provide and improve our Service to you.

Types of Data Collected

Personal Data

While using our Service, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you (“Personal Data”). Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to:

  • Email address
  • First name and last name
  • Phone number
  • Address, State, Province, ZIP/Postal code, City
  • Cookies and Usage Data

We may use your Personal Data to contact you with newsletters, marketing or promotional materials and other information that may be of interest to you. You may opt out of receiving any, or all, of these communications from us by following the unsubscribe link or instructions provided in any email we send or by contacting us.

Usage Data

We may also collect information on how the Service is accessed and used (“Usage Data”). This Usage Data may include information such as your computer’s Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data.

Location Data

We may use and store information about your location if you give us permission to do so (“Location Data”). We use this data to provide features of our Service, to improve and customise our Service.

You can enable or disable location services when you use our Service at any time by way of your device settings.

Tracking & Cookies Data

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on our Service and we hold certain information.

Cookies are files with a small amount of data which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a website and stored on your device. Other tracking technologies are also used such as beacons, tags and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyse our Service.

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Service.

Examples of Cookies we use:

  • Session Cookies. We use Session Cookies to operate our Service.
  • Preference Cookies. We use Preference Cookies to remember your preferences and various settings.
  • Security Cookies. We use Security Cookies for security purposes.
  • Advertising Cookies. Advertising Cookies are used to serve you with advertisements that may be relevant to you and your interests.

Use of Data

Kovels Antiques Inc. uses the collected data for various purposes:

  • To provide and maintain our Service
  • To notify you about changes to our Service
  • To allow you to participate in interactive features of our Service when you choose to do so
  • To provide customer support
  • To gather analysis or valuable information so that we can improve our Service
  • To monitor the usage of our Service
  • To detect, prevent and address technical issues
  • To provide you with news, special offers and general information about other goods, services and events which we offer that are similar to those that you have already purchased or enquired about unless you have opted not to receive such information

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

If you are from the European Economic Area (EEA), Kovels Antiques Inc. legal basis for collecting and using the personal information described in this Privacy Policy depends on the Personal Data we collect and the specific context in which we collect it.

Kovels Antiques Inc. may process your Personal Data because:

  • We need to perform a contract with you
  • You have given us permission to do so
  • The processing is in our legitimate interests and it is not overridden by your rights
  • For payment processing purposes
  • To comply with the law

Retention of Data

Kovels Antiques Inc. will retain your Personal Data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use your Personal Data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for example, if we are required to retain your data to comply with applicable laws), resolve disputes and enforce our legal agreements and policies.

Kovels Antiques Inc. will also retain Usage Data for internal analysis purposes. Usage Data is generally retained for a shorter period of time, except when this data is used to strengthen the security or to improve the functionality of our Service, or we are legally obligated to retain this data for longer periods.

Transfer of Data

Your information, including Personal Data, may be transferred to – and maintained on – computers located outside of your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ from those of your jurisdiction.

If you are located outside United States and choose to provide information to us, please note that we transfer the data, including Personal Data, to United States and process it there.

Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by your submission of such information represents your agreement to that transfer.

Kovels Antiques Inc. will take all the steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of your Personal Data will take place to an organisation or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of your data and other personal information.

Disclosure of Data

Business Transaction

If Kovels Antiques Inc. is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide notice before your Personal Data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.

Disclosure for Law Enforcement

Under certain circumstances, Kovels Antiques Inc. may be required to disclose your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency).

Legal Requirements

Kovels Antiques Inc. may disclose your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to:

  • To comply with a legal obligation
  • To protect and defend the rights or property of Kovels Antiques Inc.
  • To prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service
  • To protect the personal safety of users of the Service or the public
  • To protect against legal liability

Security of Data

The security of your data is important to us but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Our Policy on “Do Not Track” Signals under the California Online Protection Act (CalOPPA)

We do not support Do Not Track (“DNT”). Do Not Track is a preference you can set in your web browser to inform websites that you do not want to be tracked.

You can enable or disable Do Not Track by visiting the Preferences or Settings page of your web browser.

Your Data Protection Rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain data protection rights. Kovels Antiques Inc. aims to take reasonable steps to allow you to correct, amend, delete or limit the use of your Personal Data.

If you wish to be informed about what Personal Data we hold about you and if you want it to be removed from our systems, please contact us.

In certain circumstances, you have the following data protection rights:

  • The right to access, update or delete the information we have on you. Whenever made possible, you can access, update or request deletion of your Personal Data directly within your account settings section. If you are unable to perform these actions yourself, please contact us to assist you.

  • The right of rectification. You have the right to have your information rectified if that information is inaccurate or incomplete.

  • The right to object. You have the right to object to our processing of your Personal Data.

  • The right of restriction. You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information.

  • The right to data portability. You have the right to be provided with a copy of the information we have on you in a structured, machine-readable and commonly used format.

  • The right to withdraw consent. You also have the right to withdraw your consent at any time where Kovels Antiques Inc. relied on your consent to process your personal information.

Please note that we may ask you to verify your identity before responding to such requests.

You have the right to complain to a Data Protection Authority about our collection and use of your Personal Data. For more information, please contact your local data protection authority in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Service Providers

We may employ third party companies and individuals to facilitate our Service (“Service Providers”), provide the Service on our behalf, perform Service-related services or assist us in analysing how our Service is used.

These third parties have access to your Personal Data only to perform these tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose.

Analytics

We may use third-party Service Providers to monitor and analyse the use of our Service.

  • Google Analytics

    Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our Service. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualise and personalise the ads of its own advertising network.

    You can opt-out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity.

    For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en

Advertising

We may use third-party Service Providers to show advertisements to you to help support and maintain our Service.

  • Google AdSense & DoubleClick Cookie

    Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on our Service. Google’s use of the DoubleClick cookie enables it and its partners to serve ads to our users based on their visit to our Service or other websites on the Internet.

    You may opt out of the use of the DoubleClick Cookie for interest-based advertising by visiting the Google Ads Settings web page: http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/

Behavioral Remarketing

Kovels Antiques Inc. uses remarketing services to advertise on third party websites to you after you visited our Service. We and our third-party vendors use cookies to inform, optimise and serve ads based on your past visits to our Service.

Payments

We may provide paid products and/or services within the Service. In that case, we use third-party services for payment processing (e.g. payment processors).

We will not store or collect your payment card details. That information is provided directly to our third-party payment processors whose use of your personal information is governed by their Privacy Policy. These payment processors adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a joint effort of brands like Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. PCI-DSS requirements help ensure the secure handling of payment information.

The payment processors we work with are:

Links to Other Sites

Our Service may contain links to other sites that are not operated by us. If you click a third party link, you will be directed to that third party’s site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit.

We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services.

Children’s Privacy

Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 18 (“Children”).

We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 18. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your Child has provided us with Personal Data, please contact us. If we become aware that we have collected Personal Data from children without verification of parental consent, we take steps to remove that information from our servers.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page.

We will let you know via email and/or a prominent notice on our Service, prior to the change becoming effective and update the “effective date” at the top of this Privacy Policy.

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

Disclaimer

Last updated: December 18, 2019

The information contained on Kovels.com website (the “Service”) is for general information purposes only.

Kovels Antiques Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents on the Service.

In no event shall Kovels Antiques Inc. be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. Kovels Antiques Inc. reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modification to the contents on the Service at any time without prior notice.

Kovels Antiques Inc. does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components.

Affiliate Disclaimer

This affiliate disclosure details the affiliate relationships of Kovels Antiques Inc. with other companies and products.

Some of the links are “affiliate links”, a link with a special tracking code. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission.

The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will add value to our readers.

By using the affiliate links, you are helping support the Service, and we genuinely appreciate your support.

Affiliate advertising programs that the Service uses are:

  • Amazon Services LLC Associates Program

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Kovels Antiques Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com or endless.com, MYHABIT.com, SmallParts.com, or AmazonWireless.com.

    Pages on this Service may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this Service, Kovels Antiques Inc., will make a referral commission.

External Links Disclaimer

Kovels.com website may contain links to external websites that are not provided or maintained by or in any way affiliated with Kovels Antiques Inc.

Please note that the Kovels Antiques Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information on these external websites.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Price Guide/Marks Category Search

Sand Pails

A: J. Chein & Co. was founded as a metal-stamping company in New York City in 1903. Julius Chein was 20 when he emigrated from Russia in 1893. He obtained several patents for toys, the first in 1903 for a roller-coaster toy. In 1907 the company opened a plant in Harrison, N.J. Chein made small toys that were sold at Woolworth’s and other dime stores, as well as small toy prizes for Cracker Jack boxes. Designs were painted on the toys until 1907, when the company started using color lithography. Chein made lithographed tin sand pails from the 1920s until the 1970s, even after other manufacturers were making plastic pails. Yours date from the 1950s. Metal sand pails sold for less than 50 cents in the ’50s, and some sold for as little as 15 cents. Metal pails bring higher prices than plastic pails today because the decorations are more appealing and fewer survived in good condition. Your sand pails are worth between $100 and $200 each.Julius Chein, who lost an arm in a fireworks accident when he was a boy, was killed in 1926 when he fell off his horse while riding in Central Park. The company stopped making toys during World War II, when it manufactured parts for bombs. It moved to Burlington, N.J., in 1949. Toy production ended in the late 1970s, when the company switched to manufacturing housewares. Chein was sold to Atlantic Products in 1987 and became Atlantic Cheinco. It filed for bankruptcy in 1992.

Garden Gnomes