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The Life Collection of
Terry & Ralph Kovel
1 November 2023 / 11 am et

Information View Lots

On November 1st Rago and Toomey & Co. present an exceptional and diverse selection of property from the “duke and duchess of the antiques world,” Ralph and Terry Kovel. The Kovels are nationally renowned authors and experts who have left an indelible mark on the field of collecting with the over 100 books they authored and their website, Kovels.com. This curated offering exhibits both the breadth and quality of what they assembled over the course of decades, including rare ceramics by George Ohr and Taxile Doat, paintings by the inimitable Rosa Bonheur, and American Renaissance Revival furniture by Alexander Roux.

Preview / Lambertville
26 October – 1 November 2023
11 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday

Auction / Lambertville
1 November 2023
11 am eastern

For more information:
info@ragoarts.com
609 397 9374

George E. Ohr  Exceptional and Rare double Cadogan teapot  $25,200  

George E. Ohr, Exceptional vase

George E. Ohr

Exceptional vase

result: $37,800

George E. Ohr, Rare potato trophy

George E. Ohr

Rare potato trophy

result: $18,900

George E. Ohr, Exceptional vase

George E. Ohr

Exceptional vase

result: $18,900

George E. Ohr, Rare snake vase

George E. Ohr

Rare snake vase

result: $10,710

David Rago discusses important works by George Ohr

Ralph & Terry Kovel

The Duke and Duchess of the Antiques World

Ralph and Terry Kovel

Ralph (1920 - 2008) and Terry (b. 1928) Kovels' influence on the world of collecting is incalculable and their accomplishments innumerable. The couple married in 1950 and wrote their first book together, now titled Kovels' Dictionary of Marks: Pottery and Porcelain, 1650-1850, in 1953. In 1986, they released a new book, Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks: Pottery and Porcelain, 1850 to the Present. As the definitive source for collectibles and values, the Kovels are renowned for their eye for antiques, art, and design.

When the Kovels began their collecting journey they were complete neophytes. Terry remarked in an interview: "In the beginning, we were always doing it together. He was a super salesman and I was a good researcher... So it was fun for me. We found subjects that no one else was doing." They learned by looking, researching, and collecting. The success of their first book led Ralph to pitch a column on antiques and collectibles to the Cleveland Press, "Know Your Antiques," which became the longest-running syndicated column in the country. Their secret, as Terry has said, was making it approachable: "We always include definitions on the things we don't know. We make it easy for people to understand what we are writing about." For perhaps the first time, at least in the United States, antiques and collecting were made accessible to the masses.

The Kovels were also incredibly diversified in their interests, collecting everything from banana stickers and textiles to furniture and American art pottery; as Ralph used to say when asked why he only collects: “If we own it, it’s priceless.” Over the decades that followed the publication of their first book their business developed into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. They wrote over 100 books, one of which, the Kovels' Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide, has sold over four million copies and is considered one of the bibles of the field. They have been consulted numerous times for their expertise in court cases and various newspapers; wrote the "Collectibles" entry for the Encyclopedia Britannica; appeared on talk shows and starred in three TV series, “Know Your Antiques” for PBS, “Flea Market Finds with the Kovels” for HGTV, and "Collector's Journal with Ralph and Terry Kovel" for the Discovery Channel; and won two Emmy Awards. Their eponymous website, Kovels.com was created in 1998 and to this day remains a priceless resource for collectors worldwide where one can check over 1,000,000 prices.

Terry remarked recently: "Building a great collection takes a lot of time, extensive knowledge and some luck, too. I am thrilled to pass our legacy of great finds onto the next generation of passionate antiques collectors." It is with great pride that Rago and Toomey & Co. offer a selection of Ralph and Terry's impressive collection here.

Alexander Roux, attribution, Fine Louis XVI Revival music-themed cabinet

Alexander Roux, attribution

Fine Louis XVI Revival music-themed cabinet

result: $3,024

Edward and John Barnard, Victorian epergne

Edward and John Barnard

Victorian epergne

result: $2,394

Handel, Greek Ruins table lamp

Handel

Greek Ruins table lamp

result: $6,930

Pottier and Stymus, Eyptian Revival armchair

Pottier and Stymus

Eyptian Revival armchair

result: $11,610

Rosa Bonheur  Etude des lions et de lionnes  $15,480  

Martin Brothers Pottery, Double face jug

Martin Brothers Pottery

Double face jug

result: $8,820

Delft (de Porceleyne Fles), Landscape plaque (after Johannes Vrolijk)

Delft (de Porceleyne Fles)

Landscape plaque (after Johannes Vrolijk)

result: $11,970

Taxile Doat, Vase with Athena medallions

Taxile Doat

Vase with Athena medallions

result: $7,560

Knowles, Taylor & Knowles, Lotus Ware vases, set of two

Knowles, Taylor & Knowles

Lotus Ware vases, set of two

The Life Collection of Terry & Ralph Kovel

Preview / Lambertville
26 October – 1 November 2023
11 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday

Auction / Lambertville
1 November 2023
11 am eastern

For more information:
info@ragoarts.com
609 397 9374

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