KOVEL
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On the drive back to his hotel, they
all stopped at a local antiques
store.
Browsing through the store,
Terry relates, "we found a vase
marked H&C. The store owner
didn't know that H&C stands for
Haviland & Co. Even antiques
dealers can't know everything."
The vase they bought in 1976 for
$35, valued at several thousand
dollars, was loaned to the Smith-
sonian Museum for an exhibit.
Even the Kovels, though, are not
immune to being burned, and
they admit to buying things that
turned out not to be particularly
valuable. Thus, their advice: "If
you inherit a house (full of furniture,
porcelain, knick-knacks, etc.), get
everything appraised. Don't throw
out anything."
The flip side of buying is selling,
for which the Kovels also have ad-
r„
The Kovels recommend
purchasing one good
piece instead of many
cheaper pieces.
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64
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vice. Terry says, "If it's big, you're
stuck. You have to call a dealer."
Ralph continues, "There's an
old saying in the field — if it moves
or makes noise, it's of value." Also
expect to do well if the item is col-
orful and decorative, such as old
toy trains and pictures of flags. Or
if the item appeals to men, such
as mechanical toy banks and beer
steins. Don't be surprised, though,
if the item brings less — much less
than you expected.
Mainly, the Kovels are con-
cerned not with selling but with en-
joying. They live with and use their
varied collections at home, and
they want to encourage others to
do the same. Ralph says, "If you
buy an antique, use it. Don't buy
stuff that is so fragile you're afraid
to use it. That's the way to collect
to use it."