Terry and Kim Kovel

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Rare 40-star flag represents just a few fleeting days in American history

For six days in November 1889, the nation had 40 states. This flag from that time sold for $1,216 at auction.

This postcard from 1911 wishes its recipient ‘A Merry Halloween’

Featuring familiar Halloween icons in an old-fashioned style, this card once went for a cent. More recently, it sold for $100.

Holes in this George E. Ohr mug make drinking tricky

Made by “the Mad Potter of Biloxi” — or “the best potter in America,” as Ohr called himself — this puzzle mug sold for $2,250 at auction.

Sometimes, terms like ‘legs’ and ‘feet’ on furniture aren’t figurative

This zebra hide table, which sold for $500 at auction, stands on the literal legs and hooves of a zebra.

Home grocery delivery predates online shopping by decades

This bicycle from 1930s England was built for delivering groceries. It sold at auction for $1,200 in U.S. currency.

Do you prefer green or red grapes? This antique Moser pitcher is decorated with enameled grapevines on shaded red-to-green glass.

Grapevine pitcher was made by renowned Bohemian company

Also, queries about grandmother’s coffee set and late husband’s Beatles records and memorabilia collection.

Do you prefer green or red grapes? This antique Moser pitcher is decorated with enameled grapevines on shaded red-to-green glass.
Some collectibles are found in nature; some imitate them. If it weren’t for the attached figure, this Royal Dux porcelain vase might pass for a real conch shell.

This shell-shaped vase would make a fine souvenir of summer fun

It may not be a real shell, but this art nouveau piece could still evoke fond memories of days at the beach.

Some collectibles are found in nature; some imitate them. If it weren’t for the attached figure, this Royal Dux porcelain vase might pass for a real conch shell.

This lush sofa echoes the extravagant 18th-century Rococo style

While minimalist postmodern furniture is popular now, older, more elaborate designs like this may be ripe for another revival.

This shapely, iridescent piece of blown glass was an award-winner in 1900

Marked with the name of its maker — “Loetz Austria” — this strikingly complex piece sold for $4,940 at auction.

Sweet-Orr clothing was proudly made by workers, for workers. Their logo shows their clothes are strong enough to handle anything a worker, or group of workers, might put them through.

Sign celebrates staying power of company’s union-made workwear

Beginning in the 1880s, Sweet-Orr advertised its clothing with public demonstrations of strength and solidarity.

Sweet-Orr clothing was proudly made by workers, for workers. Their logo shows their clothes are strong enough to handle anything a worker, or group of workers, might put them through.

This parrot’s plumage shines bright when its bulb is illuminated

It’s a lamp disguised as a parrot, made by Fulper Pottery. And it sold for $375 at auction.

This artist brought enamel, used since the Middle Ages, into the 20th century

A trained artist, Karl Drerup immigrated to New York in the ’30s, where he began making his vibrant, abstract enamel pieces.

Mechanical banks that stored pennies now sell for thousands of dollars

Cast-iron banks like this were used to teach children that saving can be fun. Now, collectors must save up to buy them.

The Merrick Thread Company is known for its spool cabinets with rotating displays behind glass. They tend to sell for higher prices than the typical chest-of-drawers spool cabinet.

Spool cabinets once were ubiquitous in country stores

Back when clothes were made and mended at home, spools of thread were household essentials.

The Merrick Thread Company is known for its spool cabinets with rotating displays behind glass. They tend to sell for higher prices than the typical chest-of-drawers spool cabinet.

A gunsmith by training, this immigrant instead made kitchen equipment

Bernard Gloekler’s company made this butcher’s sign, featuring a saw, cleaver, knife and standing bull.

Butterfly season is fleeting, but dazzling pieces like this last forever

This butterfly pendant, with wings covered in brilliantly colored gemstones, sold for $594 at auction.

With a passion for glazes, Van Briggle was known for his art nouveau vases

This tile, possibly inspired by Artus Van Briggle’s training as a painter and the mountains of Colorado, sold for $2,125 at auction.

This lamp's maker has not been identified, but it resembles the famous Tiffany lamps of the early 20th century. Its mushroom motif and narrow, asymmetrical curves recall the stylized nature shapes of art nouveau.

Nature’s influence is clear in this vintage Tiffany-like lamp

Shaped like a cluster of mushrooms with long stems and graceful curving shapes, the lamp is definitely art nouveau style.

This lamp's maker has not been identified, but it resembles the famous Tiffany lamps of the early 20th century. Its mushroom motif and narrow, asymmetrical curves recall the stylized nature shapes of art nouveau.
Folk art is an important part of American history. American symbols, especially eagles, are favorite subjects, like this wooden sculpture attributed to artist Wilhelm Schimmel.

Like the eagle itself, the creator of this piece is a folkloric figure

Made by a traveling German immigrant in the late 19th century, this wooden carving sold for $5,000 at auction.

Folk art is an important part of American history. American symbols, especially eagles, are favorite subjects, like this wooden sculpture attributed to artist Wilhelm Schimmel.
Specimen tables combined ancient history and geology into a European souvenir that was both decorative and functional. They were popular among the wealthy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Specimen tables made worthy souvenirs for wealthy vacationers of yore

This colorful, 19th-century Italian marble table sold for about $3,832 at auction.

Specimen tables combined ancient history and geology into a European souvenir that was both decorative and functional. They were popular among the wealthy in the 18th and 19th centuries.