Feb 2 2006
Holidays collecting becomes more popular every year and along with rise in demand is the rise in prices and values of the vintage stuff! Christmas pieces have always been popular, but the last few years have seen an explosion in the values and popularity of Halloween collectibles. And according to the Kovels, watch for vintage Valentines as they join the list of popular holiday collectibles.When the first family of antiques and collectibles talks -- we listen carefully and take notes! Recently the Kovels shared their hints on Valentine collecting.
Kovels' Tips
- Check the family papers, cabinets, ets to see if your family has saved any old valentines -- they could be worth quite a bit of money.
- Look for three-dimensional valentines and valentines with movable parts
- Try to buy valentines in near perfect condition. Repairs are expensive, if not impossible.
- Check the boxes of assorted odds and ends at garage and rummage sales.
- Unused valentines are worth more than those with signatures.
- Valentines made in the mid 1800s by Esther Howland, the first American to mass produce valentines, are almost impossible to find and are high priced!
- Stay away from single sheet "penny dreadfuls" made during the 1930s through the 1950s. These comic valentines don't sell well because their message is often insulting.
Courtesy of the Kovels and TIAS: These tips on Valentine collecting were supplied by the Kovels, America's leading experts on antiques and collectibles.
