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The Kovels start off a new year of news and tips for collectors with chairs designed by visionary artists that drew collector interest and high bids at auction in Chicago. A number of innovative examples are featured in the first-of-the-year Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles January 2020 newsletter. Collectors are particularly interested in early versions of chairs by well-known designers. Pricey chairs showcasing the originality of Pierre Jeanneret, Frank Lloyd Wright, Arne Jacobsen, Charles and Ray Eames, even Carlo Bugatti, are pictured.

Buttons are tiny time capsules of style, art and history and a treasure trove of more than 1,000 lots of antique, vintage and contemporary buttons auctioned in Florida. Buttons of different materials and styles—from a gilt silver smuggler’s button with a secret compartment that sold for $225 to an ornate brass and glass button depicting a stylized frog that brought more than $8,000—are pictured in Kovels’ January 2020 issue.

More than 50 exquisite kimonos amassed by a single collector were a big attraction at a Rhode Island auction. Once worn daily by Japanese women and men and now reserved for special occasions, the kimonos spanned over 200 years of Japanese history. Enjoy an assortment with their selling prices and learn about the different designs in Kovels’ latest newsletter.

Collectors love the catchy images and slogans found on old advertising signs. Many examples that were already framed were among the offerings at a recent Iowa auction. Clever nostalgic signs with pretty turn-of-the-century ladies, cute characters and animals touting everything from soap to sodas are pictured with prices in the January 2020 newsletter. Also a Kovels’ market report on the 1960s and ’70s metalwork by Curtis Jeré helps savvy collectors and midcentury enthusiasts know what to look for.

The Kovels go “on the road” to an important art and design fair in New York City and share some of the extravagant objects that caught their eye. The popular illustrated Collector’s Gallery answers readers’ questions about a horse and buggy weather vane, vintage beer tap handles, an American Belleek pitcher and a child’s desk. The Kovels’ ring in the new year with bell-shaped marks found on pottery and porcelain. And more than 70 antiques and collectibles are listed in the January 2020 Buyer’s Price Guide.

Kovels On Antiques & Collectibles newsletter is available as a print subscription, or as a digital version that is part of the Kovels.com Premium subscription.