Collecting tips: “Out” today are manufactured collectibles like Christmas plates, souvenir spoons, new figural bottles (Avon, Beam), empty cereal boxes promoting TV, movie and radio stars, and linens that have to be ironed. “In” are hand-embroidered guest or kitchen towels, vintage printed children’s handkerchiefs and silk scarves by name designers like Hermès.
Cold is no longer cool
Kovels.com Top 20 Antiques and Collectibles Searches for January 2015
Kovels’ Top 20 list of antiques and collectibles is based on the results of hundreds of thousands of searches that took place on Kovels.com. During January 2015, collectors were searching for prices of:
1) Fenton
2) Occupied Japan
3) Coca-Cola
4) Stoves
5) Dinnerware
6) Wedgwood
7) Pottery
8) Depression Glass
9) Delft
10) McCoy
11) Capo-Di-Monte
12) Lamps
13) Hull
14) Purses
15) Banks
16) Satsuma
17) Haeger
18) Lighters
19) Scales
20) Cash Registers
Local antiques dealers report that sales have been doing very well since the Christmas holiday rush. Lots more has been selling online. Antique wedding gifts are becoming more popular. Buyers want to give gifts that are better quality, have sophisticated design, a “story” or a history and sell for less money than new, like a 1920s Orrefors glass vase or a Waylande Gregory platter.
Old big and brightly colored “statement” pieces are still popular. There’s little interest in small, fussy things that are set on shelves but don’t have use, like figurines. Many buyers are looking for modern vases for flower arrangements. Best investment is to buy a “named” piece by a significant potter like Wedgwood’s Keith Murray, but low-budget pieces by lesser-known artists, or even art students, are okay as long as they have the “look.” Collectors like other designer things too, especially costume jewelry and purses. Buyers look for top named “fashion” items, or things that look like top fashion items, like jewelry by Trifari and accessories by Chanel. They’re often found in consignment shops and they’re bought to be used.
Trifari, circa 1940s
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FROM:
February 4, 2015
Vol. 10, No. 5