A Flagg Worth Honoring

Dear Lee,

For many, July is the best month of the year. The first full month of summer gets off to a bang, thanks in large part to Fourth of July celebrations. Honoring our independence is a grand time to wave the flag. And while we’re at it, this July just might be the perfect time to honor another Flagg as well.

James Montgomery Flagg was 39 when the United States entered World War I in 1917, much too old to serve his country in battle. Instead, Flagg drew on what he did best, and in the process helped not only the war effort but helped shape the face of a country.

A leading illustrator of the time, Flagg’s dramatic creation of Uncle Sam exhorting “I Want You For U.S. Army” so resonated with the public that it became a recruitment marvel and one of the most enduring images of the 20th century.

Flagg didn’t invent Uncle Sam, of course, but, with the top hat, goatee, the burning eyes and long finger pointing at the very soul of able-bodied Americans, he did transform him into a powerful and convincing figure. Flagg’s Uncle Sam poster struck a patriotic nerve, with a staggering four million copies printed between 1917 and 1918.

Flagg produced 46 posters for the government, many of them featuring Uncle Sam. He wasn’t the only artist to step forward, of course. As many as 300 illustrators volunteered their talents to promote the war effort, including the likes of Howard Chandler Christy, N.C. Wyeth and a young Norman Rockwell. But it was Flagg’s work that proved most effective and memorable.

During World War II, Flagg’s Uncle Sam reemerged and was found in front of every post office and recruiting station in the country.

Flagg, who had a healthy ego and was not shy about sharing his opinion, called his recruiting poster “the most famous poster in the world.” Few could argue otherwise.

Sadly, Flagg’s fame dimmed as the post-World War II era dawned. The role of illustrators changed dramatically. They needed to work fast to adapt to the evolving world of mass markets and color photography. Flagg’s style fell out of fashion and as it did his health faded. “I really died twenty years ago,” said Flagg referring to his career later in life, “but nobody had the nerve to bury me.” Flagg passed away on May 27, 1960, at the age of 82.

Time is relentless and change steadfast, but while we celebrate all that is magical about July, let’s not forget James Montgomery Flagg and his most famous work, an Uncle Sam who unified a nation during its most desperate times.

Cheers!

Paul Kennedy
Editorial Director
Kovels + Antique Trader
pkennedy@aimmedia.com

 

James Montgomery Flagg’s famous World War I Uncle Sam recruitment poster.

James Montgomery Flagg’s famous World War I Uncle Sam recruitment poster.

 

Later in life, Flagg began to resemble his Uncle Sam character.

Later in life, Flagg began to resemble his Uncle Sam character.

As Odd as a Mustache Cup

Dear Lee,

Well, this is different. After a lifetime of receiving letters from your mother, you’re getting one from me. Fortunately, I’m not a complete stranger. Even so, it must be a little weird.

I remember the first time we talked a few years back. I had just written a cover story about Terry for Antique Trader, and you told me how much you enjoyed it. That was nice to hear because I so enjoy your mother and wanted to do right by her.

You probably recognize the picture of the mustache cup here. When we chatted, Terry told me about its history, how when she was a kid vacationing in Niagara Falls with her family she bought it as a souvenir, not knowing what she had but happy to have it.

She paid a quarter for that ceramic cup decorated with purple and gold flowers. It has a strip across the rim on one side, designed to protect a gentleman’s mustache from getting soaked when sipping a cup of coffee.

No child could possibly know that, but kids know what they like. So, the cup went home with your mom. The great thing is, she still has it. That little girl remains in your 94-year-old mother.

It’s funny what we hold on to in life, and what we let go. Often, it’s not an easy choice. And so it was when the decision was made to sell Kovels to Active Interest Media, the parent company of Antique Trader, at the end of March.

“After 70 years it was time to entrust the Kovels brand to a new home,” Terry said of the sale. “We couldn’t think of a better place than with Antique Trader, a publication like ours that collectors trust and enjoy learning from.”

Active Interest Media publishes various collectibles titles in addition to Antique Trader, which celebrated its 65th anniversary last summer. I’ve been involved in the hobby for more than 25 years, first in book publishing and then as editorial director of Antique Trader. I’ve been a fan of Kovels for just as long, having met your mother and father when I first started in the field in 1997.

There’s more, of course, but I must run. There’s a lot of running these days. That’s what happens when you follow in the footsteps of giants. But before I can say goodbye, I have to say Happy Father’s Day!

Someone once told me that being a great father is a lot like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it all over again tomorrow. Unless, of course, you plan on growing a mustache, in which case your mother has a cup that just might come in handy.

Cheers!

Paul

Paul Kennedy

 

 

Editorial Director

Kovels + Antique Trader

pkennedy@aimmedia.com

 

Mustache cup with purple and gold flowers

The souvenir mustache cup purchased by Terry Kovel as a child at Niagara Falls.

 

Terry Kovel

Terry Kovel

Declutter for Fun and Profit

Dear Lee:

We get calls from friends and readers all the time asking what to do with items that their families don’t want or need any longer. The good news is that decluttering can present an opportunity for profit. 

Remember, when you go to sell household goods, time is money. The more time you are willing to invest, the more will come in return. When you’re considering an auction, garage sale, local dealer, website or Facebook marketplace, decide how much time you are willing to invest first. 

Condition, quality, designer and manufacturer matter. You can’t even give away a regular sofa if it is stained or damaged. Most people won’t take mattresses and state law frequently doesn’t allow it. Some charities whose mission includes providing new homes for people in need may take mattresses if they are in clean and like-new condition. 

Furniture made by well-known designers or manufacturers—and even well-made furniture in the style of well-known designers—can be sold at auction. If the item is generic furniture from a big-box store, it’s best to give it away or sell it yourself. Same with household items: mugs, glasses, dishes and trays or other pieces designed by well-known designers or made by top manufacturers will sell at auction. Mass-produced, less expensive items are hard to sell.  

Jewelry that is gold, platinum or made with precious stones always sells for at least the material cost and it should be easy to find a buyer. As with everything else, “brand” adds value. If it was made by Tiffany, Cartier or another top brand, you can expect to get more. However, if the piece is monogramed you will likely need to sell it for meltdown value.  

Handbags and other leather goods are hot right now, but only those from the top brands—Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, among others. Secondary brands like Kate Spade simply don’t sell as well and you may need to consider donation or try to sell it yourself. 

The brand situation is the same for sunglasses. And if there is a prescription in the glasses, buyers do not want to pay the extra expense to change the lenses. 

Good luck! And we’re not forgetting—Happy Mother’s Day! 

 

gucci boston bag

The Gucci Boston Bag with the distinctive
green-red-green stripe.

 

April Tip: Don’t be Fooled by Fakes

Dear Lee:

You and I both like a good April Fool’s joke. When it comes to collectibles, though, we don’t want people to be fooled by fakes—and there are loads of them on the market. Here’s just a small sampling of fakes to watch out for:

  • Coca-Cola signs. Some things to know: Coca-Cola never produced pub style mirrored signs, or pocket watches with “Coca-Cola” faces. Wooden signs are fakes, as are the easy-to-spot black, red, green and blue porcelain Coca-Cola signs manufactured in India.
  • Designer handbags. Louis Vuitton and Chanel are two of the most commonly copied bags. Clues for fakes: price is too low; zippers and hardware are not consistent and high-quality; stitching is uneven, sloppy or replaced with glue; low-quality leather; labels are not perfectly stamped, printed or embossed.
  • Tiffany glass. Copies of pieces made by Tiffany are all too common. Most often encountered are fake lamps. Tiffany’s glass scarab beetles are also well-known and many look-alike Tiffany scarabs are now on the market. These Tiffany-style scarab paperweights should be clearly marked as copies. However, if they are being sold as authentic, beware!
  • Wells Fargo belt buckles marked “Tiffany, New York” (pictured). These are well-known fakes from the 1960s. They’re not old and not made by Tiffany. More recent copies have been made and also turn up at flea markets.
  • Cut glass. The American Cut Glass Association has suggestions to spot fakes: How does the piece of glass fluoresce under black light (ultraviolet)? Are the shape, dimensions and weight of the piece, correct? Does it have the expected wear and minor damage from years of use? Are the signatures correct? Cut glass is popular again, so these tips are important for anyone thinking of starting a collection.
  • Chinese ceramics. There have been many stories lately of blue and white Chinese vases found at garage sales and being sold for thousands of dollars. If you think you have or may buy a vase with a blue and white design, do some research first and talk to a reputable dealer. If possible, photograph the vase. Examine it carefully for flaws. Feel the texture on the bottom. Remember, the mark on the bottom could be a fake too!
  • Rolex watches. Rolexes are legendary as subjects for counterfeiting. Serial and model numbers, lens feel, clock hand motion and other characteristics all factor into identification of authentic Rolexes. But one of the best rules of thumb? If the price is too good to be true, it’s probably a fake.

Don’t be fooled. Go to Kovels.com for information on these and other fake collectibles, including advertising items, musical instruments, toys, pottery, jewelry and lots more.

Terry Kovel

Wells Fargo belt buckle fake

Fake Wells Fargo Tiffany belt buckle

 

Top Tips for the Collector Doing Spring Cleaning

Dear Lee,

Days are longer and, in much of the country, hints of warmer weather tease and then cruelly retreat to frigid temperatures. To hurry spring and summer, many of us turn to spring cleaning.

But for collectors—or families with a collector in their midst—there are special rules. Who wants to donate an old, stained vase only to find it was worth thousands of dollars? We’ve read the stories about these thrift store “discoveries.”

That’s not the only damage that can happen during spring cleaning. Using the wrong cleaning solution or having soapy hands and dropping delicate porcelain is equally dreadful.

You can clean and preserve collectibles by following some simple rules. Here are suggestions:

  • Don’t throw away anything that isn’t yours. Your spouse or children may treasure those items.
  • Be organized when decluttering. Put in groups of “Keep,” “Ask About,” “Donate” and “Throw Away.” Also have a “Sell” pile.
  • Save what you still use and love.
  • If you find larger decorative items or old ceramics, think of how they would look in your garden. A beautiful garden should provide the unexpected nestled in between thoughtfully planted flowers and plants.
  • Do you have an old drawer full of loose pictures, or a bin of photo albums going back decades? Digitize them if you want, but don’t throw them away! Store them in a waterproof, mouse-proof container.
  • Use TLC and common sense when cleaning items.
  • Use warm water when cleaning pottery, ceramics and crystal. Dramatic temperature changes cause cracks or crazing.
  • A few drops of vinegar in soapy water will give glassware and crystal a sparkle.
  • Line the washing area—whether a sink or countertop—with a dish towel or rubber mats.
  • Compressed air does more than just blow crumbs off a keyboard. It can sweep away dirt from dolls, china and delicate collectibles.

There’s nothing more satisfying than a clean, uncluttered house to welcome a new season of sun and warmth.

 

Terry Kovel

vacuum clenaer collection

Terry’s collection of vintage vacuum cleaners. Some didn’t clean that well. They just blew around the dirt.  Note Lee’s old psychedelic toilet seat from the 1960s.

 

Uncovering the History and Value of Antique Valentine’s Day Cards

Dear Lee,

We can’t help ourselves. We are fond of vintage Valentine’s Day cards. We can thank Esther Howland of Massachusetts for the first commercial Valentine’s Day cards in the United States. In the 1840s, she added lace to her own drawings and put them in decorated envelopes. A tradition—and an industry—was born.

You can date old valentines by the style of the clothes, cars, hairdos, houses and even furniture. As the boomer generation starts looking over its shoulder, valentines from the 1960s and 1970s are becoming more collectible. Adults who went to grade school in those decades remember the cards that were punched out of big pieces of stiff paper and sold in packets, with matching (flimsy) envelopes. One card for each person in the classroom and a special one for the teacher!

If you run across those cards, or better yet, a whole box of them, you’ll easily be able to spot the era they were made. Hot pinks, bright reds, stylized children with big eyes and standard sayings such as “Bee My Valentine” on a card decorated with bees made them distinctive. The graphics, sentiments and condition all make the cards collectible.

Flea markets and craft shows are the most likely source of collections, as well boxes in your parents’ or grandparents’ attics and basements. Don’t forget my prime rule: Never throw out a box without going through it carefully!

If you find some cards you really like, use acid-free paper or boxes to preserve them. Go to the National Valentine Collectors Association (ValentineCollectors.com) or the Greeting Card Association (GreetingCard.org) for more information.

Happy Valentine’s Day (and happy collecting!)

valentines 1970s

 

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!

Terry Kovel

what's hot and not in 2023

Photos: Morphy Auctions (beer sign), Morphy Auctions (robot toy), Fontaine’s Auction Gallery (cut glass bowl), Copake Auction (Blue Willow tureen), Etsy (Pyrex bowls)

 

Favorite Holiday Decorations

Dear Lee,

It’s time to get out the decorations for the holidays. I love antique and vintage ornaments and other Christmas collectibles, especially the ones that have been handed down. The first thing I do to prepare for the holidays is put a jaunty Santa hat on the gnome in my garden. You know my gnome—he’s 17 inches high and painted. But did you know he was handed down to me in 1955? He was a fixture in my mother’s garden after she bought it in about 1930 from a friend who said he was 75 years old. That makes my gnome about 167 years old. Here are some other decorations I look forward to taking out each holiday season:

A “kugel” hangs on a small brass stand on the table in my foyer. Kugels are thick blown glass ornaments, first made in Germany in the 1830s. Kugels are usually round, but some are shaped like fruit or acorns. My kugel is blue, about 4 inches long and shaped like a cluster of grapes. The rarest colors are deep red and purple.

I have other, more recent glass ornaments, too. Some have metal caps marked “Shiny Brite,” made in the U.S. from 1937 to 1960. (Tip: never replace a metal cap; it is the only sign of an ornament’s age.) I like them with vintage tree lights, like my teardrop-shaped lights and bubble lights (that are being reproduced today).

Table decorations are also fun to arrange. I have a set of miniature figures that I set up on the dining room table to create turn-of-the-century winter scenes. The figures are molded lead, flat, double sided and hand-painted. They were made in Germany about 1920 and depict skiers, skaters, townspeople, snowmen, sleighs and snow-tipped trees.

I chuckle every year as I place my grumpy belsnickle candy container on the table. A belsnickle is a crotchety Christmas character from German folklore, who visited children in the weeks before Christmas, warning them to be good.

And there are the Santas, of course. He is the top jolly fellow this time of year, isn’t he? I have ornaments, toys and advertising signs, tins and even store buttons with different depictions of Santa since the late 1800s, including a Coca-Cola Santa ad from the 1930s that helped create the current image of Santa. A few of these things were handed down, some were gifts, and some I bought over the years.

Enjoy your cherished holiday decorations and the stories they bring to mind.

We at Kovels wish you all the very best this holiday season. And we look forward to 2023 and more collecting!

Terry Kovel and all of us on the Kovels team! 

 

Christmas postcard with Santa in a blue coat, divided back, printed in Germany, U.S. postmark, December 1911. Photo: Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Christmas postcard with Santa in a blue coat, divided back, printed in Germany, U.S. postmark, December 1911. Photo: Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

a in Sleigh figurine, painted tin and lead, flat, double-sided Santa and reindeer, Germany, 1920s, 1 3/4 x 5 in.

Santa in Sleigh figurine, painted tin and lead, flat, double-sided Santa and reindeer, Germany, 1920s, 1 3/4 x 5 in.

 

Thankful for Collecting

Dear Lee, 

Collectors love the holidays. It is a perfect time for family heirlooms and flea market finds to take their place of honor on dinner tables and mantels or in entryways and yards.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we are starting to pull out our holiday decorations. Did you know that although Thanksgiving was celebrated by most of the United States by 1871, it was not a national legal holiday until 1941? Thanksgiving collectibles aren’t as popular as Christmas or Halloween items, but are they are quickly catching up. The most popular items are usually ceramic or glass turkeys and pumpkins.

In honor of Thanksgiving, we tried something different in this month’s newsletter: We found pieces needed for the dinner table from a recent auction. We thought it would be interesting to create a “collector’s Thanksgiving table.” The results (see page 27) are original and attractive.

Our Thanksgiving table already is a combination of family heirlooms and fun finds. Each piece has personal meaning. The centerpiece is a porcelain turkey that I’ve used for decades as a server or a vase. Our family eats off blue-and-white Spode porcelain plates with a floral pattern. We use sterling silver flatware that was a wedding gift to a family member just after World War I, and our water goblets are pressed glass from the 1880s. I top it all off with silver-plated figural napkin rings made about 1880 and an English sterling silver open salt from the 1830s with a cobalt blue glass liner I bought on my honeymoon.

Regardless of what is on the table, it is always a thankful and happy time to celebrate with family.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Kovels to all of you!

Terry Kovel

honeycomp paper turkey decoration

This honeycomb paper turkey has sat on Terry’s Thanksgiving table for over 30 years.

 

Boo! Halloween Collectibles Are Scary-Fantastic

Dear Lee,

Leaves are brilliant burnt orange, red and yellow, and the sweaters are pulled out of storage. That can only mean one thing: It’s time for me to display all the spooky jack-o-lanterns, cats, ghosts and witches I’ve collected over the years. Many are stored on shelves in the General Store re-creation in my basement.

Halloween became a popular holiday in the 1880s in the United States. In the 1920s, it became a children’s holiday and is now second in popularity only to Christmas among collectors of holiday memorabilia.

We antique enthusiasts can tell the age of a collectible from its materials and what is represented. In Victorian times, bats and spiders were symbols of good fortune and a long life. They, and spider webs, were painted on vases and bowls for the parlor in the late 1800s.

Frogs, bats, snakes, spiders and other creepy creatures were on Art Nouveau jewelry, silver, pottery and glass. In the mid-20th century, most decorations were jack-o-lanterns, black cats, spiders, bats, ghosts and witches. Today popular decorations are scary zombies, ghouls and bloody characters from horror movies. (If you collect them, save the original boxes!)

Let’s not forget about Halloween postcards. They began to appear in the early 1900s. Collectors look for Halloween postcards featuring a particular subject like witches, pumpkins or black cats, or by a favorite illustrator or publisher.
Halloween collectibles never die … like zombies … and ghosts … and monsters. …

Speaking of annual traditions, we’re very proud of our new, 55th Edition of Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2023, available now at bookstores and online at Kovels.com.

It includes 12,500 new and real prices based on actual sales, 500 marks and 3,150 color photographs to help you to identify, date and value your items. Not only can you price your antique, but you can use our book as an encyclopedia of the antique market. An experienced or novice collector can get a visual overview with prices, photos, marks and insightful information on the important antiques collected today.

We have also included a special section, “Collecting Trends: Twentieth-Century Studio Ceramics,” with this edition.

Happy Halloween (and collecting)! 

Terry Kovel

halloween postcard, pumpkin hot air balloon

Halloween postcard from the 1900s