www.Kenilworthantiques.com

Email: hello@kenilworthantiques.com

2812 Kenilworth Blvd., Sebring FL 33870

(844) 281-2812

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www.astampcoin.com

Email: info@astampcoin.com

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484 US Route 1, York, ME 03909

www.yorkcornermercantile.com

Email: yorkcornermercantile@gmail.com

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Last February, the LEGO Group announced a new collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art that celebrates one of the most famous gardens in art history: A set that replicates Claude Monet’s 1899 painting, Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies. The set, which went on sale in March, consists of 3,179 pieces that assemble into a flat panel with a frame and a hanger on the back.

Rated 18+ and priced at $249.99, this is meant as a collector’s item rather than a child’s toy. Still, the set incorporates the creativity that makes Lego such a beloved toy, using subtle color variations and a variety of pieces to capture the original painting’s Impressionistic use of light, color, and texture. In addition to the usual rectangular bricks, pieces shaped like flowers, butterflies, leaves, and more reflect Monet’s characteristic brush strokes and nature themes.

Lego has released Lego Art sets based on famous artworks since 2020, starting with a replica of Andy Warhol’s silkscreen of Marilyn Monroe. Other art sets include Hokusai’s The Great Wave, Robert Indiana’s Love sculpture, and possibly the most famous artwork in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

Although this is the first commercial Lego set based on a Monet painting, it is not the first time his work has been reinterpreted in Lego. Contemporary artist Ai Weiwei has re-created famous artworks as large-scale panels composed of Lego bricks, including versions of Monet’s Water Lilies paintings in 2022 and 2023.

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A Brief History of the Land of Lincoln

Illinois was inhabited by Native Americans known as the Woodland peoples by about 500 B.C. They built villages, grew crops, hunted, and made pottery, and their burial mounds remain today. By the 13th century C.E., Cahokia, an urban center for the Mississippian peoples, had become the largest city in North America outside Mexico. Now, Cahokia Mounds is a historic site and museum, archaeological site, and home of an annual Indigenous market.

The first Europeans to reach the area were French missionary Jacques Marquette and fur trader Louis Jolliet, who followed the Mississippi River to arrive in 1673. Marquette recorded “Illinois” as the name of a Native American nation united by a common language. The first European settlement was the French Fort Crevecoeur, built in 1680, but abandoned soon after. France claimed the area they called the Illinois Country, but ceded it to Britain at the end of the French and Indian War in 1764.

During the American Revolution, George Rogers Clark led the campaign to seize the British outposts in Illinois Country, claiming what would become the Northwest Territory of the United States in 1789. Illinois became the 21st state in 1818.

The most famous role Illinois played in the Civil War may be its status as the home of Abraham Lincoln, earning the state the nickname “Land of Lincoln.” More than 285,000 soldiers from Illinois served in the Union Army.

Illinois saw enormous amounts of industrial growth in the mid-19th to early 20th century. Chicago was an especially influential city, first as a port, then as a railroad hub. Steel manufacturing and coal mining were major industries. Illinois also had many social reformers who witnessed the dark sides of rapid growth and industrialization, like Jane Addams, who provided aid to immigrant communities and advocated for education and public health; Ida B. Wells, the investigative journalist who fought against lynchings of African-Americans; and Upton Sinclair, whose time working at Chicago meatpacking plants inspired his novel The Jungle.

One of the pivotal events in Illinois history, and American history as a whole, was the World Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893. This World’s Fair introduced or inspired many inventions, brands, and design movements that influenced the 20th century and beyond.

Illinois is still considered a hub of culture, innovation, and education, and is the birthplace or home of many prominent public figures.

America at 250: Illinois’ Role in America’s Celebration

Illinois is marking America’s Semiquincentennial through a coordinated effort led by the Illinois America 250th Commission, which encourages communities across the state to participate in civic, cultural, and educational programming that shares local stories and demonstrates the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. The Commission has chosen three themes: Power of Place, We the People, and Doing History.

In Colonial America, Illinois represented the potential for westward expansion; in the 19th century onward, growth and innovation. The Illinois America 250th Commission emphasizes the state’s diverse population, and the Illinois State Museum encourages consideration of “the diversity of perspectives and experiences that are often left untold.” The state’s Black history is especially significant. Jean (or John) Baptiste Pointe DuSable, a fur trader who was born in Haiti to a French father and an enslaved African mother, is considered the “father of Chicago,” since, in the 1770s, he became the first non – Native American resident of the area that would later be the site of the city. In the Great Migration of the early 20th century, more than 110,000 African Americans came to the state.

Material culture is an important part of the state’s programming. The Illinois Arts Council awarded $325,000 to 22 public art projects throughout the state, unveiled throughout the year. Themes include local history, national themes, agriculture, Abraham Lincoln, and the Underground Railroad.

The Commission has created a limited-edition Passport, available online or at Illinois libraries and visitor centers, encouraging travelers to visit museums, parks, historic sites, and more across the state and sharing how they connect to the ideals of the 250th celebration. The physical passport may become a collectible itself, featuring art by William Estrada, artist and teacher at the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Illinois’ Craft and Collecting Traditions

Illinois’ strong industrial history has produced something for nearly every kind of collector. Ceramic enthusiasts recognize names such as Anna Pottery, Teco, and Haeger, while the Regal China Company in Antioch became famous for its Jim Beam decanters. Lighting collectors may know the Mantle Lamp Co. of Chicago, inventor of the Aladdin lamp.

Toy and metalware collectors also find rich ground in Illinois history. Buddy “L” trucks were created by the Moline Pressed Steel Company, while the Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport produced cast iron items ranging from coffee mills and banks to beloved toys. Vintage jewelry collectors continue to seek Eisenberg rhinestones and Elgin watches, both enduring examples of Illinois craftsmanship.

Chicago also played an important role in the Arts & Crafts movement. Metalsmiths such as the Cellini Shop, Kalo Shop, and the craft shop at Marshall Field & Company helped shape the state’s decorative arts legacy. From industrial manufacturing to fine design, Illinois’ broad artistic and commercial output offers collectors an exceptionally diverse landscape.

One of the most famous names from Illinois in the collectibles world is Frank Lloyd Wright. The iconic architect was born in Wisconsin, but started his career in Chicago and built his first house in Oak Park. His Prairie School architecture, furniture, and decorative arts are among the best examples of American design.

You can’t talk about Illinois collectibles (or American national celebrations!) without mentioning the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition! Held in Chicago and dedicated in 1892, this World’s Fair celebrated the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s reaching North America. The event introduced the Ferris wheel and the midway, staples of fairs ever since; demonstrated the potential of electric lighting; and influenced urban planning and design movements for the coming century. Many items displayed at the World’s Columbian Exposition, including fossils, Native American art, and gems, remain in the Field Museum’s collection in Chicago.

Several well-known brands made their debut or were promoted at the exposition, including Cracker Jack, Cream of Wheat, Juicy Fruit gum, Aunt Jemima, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Collectors continue to look for antique advertising from these brands.

Souvenirs from the World’s Columbian Exposition are highly sought collectibles, too. Collectors look for specially minted coins, photo albums, banks, paperweights, souvenir spoons, glassware, prints, textiles, admission tickets, medals, and more. Postcards are also popular, and especially significant, since the first American picture postcards were produced as souvenirs for the fair.

Looking Ahead: America250 Illinois Calendar Highlights

Throughout 2026 – America250 Illinois Statewide Programming: Educational initiatives, exhibitions, and community events marking the nation’s 250th anniversary across Illinois.

January 31, 2026 – January 3, 2027—The Promise of Liberty, Peoria Riverfront Museum: Programs throughout 2026 focus on America 250 themes, celebrating American history and achievements in art, science, and culture. The Promise of Liberty is their centerpiece exhibit, featuring historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

February 7, 2026 – December 3, 2026—Through the Eyes of Geneva: A Local Perspective on 250 Years of American History, Geneva History Museum: Exhibition of objects, stories, photographs, and more sharing one town’s experiences and perspective on significant events in American history.

April 9, 2026 – July 18, 2026—Free and Independent: The Declaration of Independence and the Words that Made the United States, Newberry Library, Chicago, IL: Exhibition featuring a rare early copy of the Declaration of Independence.

June 2, 2026 – June 27, 2026—America 250: A Musical Journey, Chicago Symphony Center: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with a series of concerts honoring the country’s musical traditions, creativity, and resilience.

June 5, 2026 – September 27, 2026—America Grows: 250 Years of Garden Stories, Chicago Botanic Garden: The Chicago Botanic Garden tells the story of American history through what people plant and grow, from the first known American cookbook to the cultural traditions that thrive in the country today.

June 18, 2026 – September 7, 2026—Declarations: 250 Years of Writing Toward Independence, American Writers Museum: The American Writers Museum in Chicago will explore themes of independence and equality with an exhibit that includes revolutionary documents like an 1823 William Stone print of the Declaration of Independence and a 1776 British first edition of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.

June 18, 2026 – July 4, 2025—Southern Illinois Music Festival: Celebrating America at 250: The 2026 Southern Illinois Music Festival commemorates the semiquincentennial with orchestral programs featuring music by composers from three centuries of American music.

June 26, 2026—We, the Native People, South Beloit: Ojibwa author Kim Sigafus presents Native American perspectives on the Declaration of Independence. The audience will also learn about Native American food and music traditions, with the chance to learn to play traditional instruments.

July 3, 2026 — Two Lights for Tomorrow: A nationwide commemorative moment observed in Illinois communities as part of the Semiquincentennial.

July 4, 2026—Statewide America250 Celebrations: Communities across Illinois will mark Independence Day with enhanced programming, including public readings of the Declaration of Independence, historical reenactments, and local Semiquincentennial festivals.

July 4, 2026—The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield will be open to the public for free in honor of 250 years of American independence.

July 8, 2026 — Simultaneous Reading of the Declaration of Independence: A coordinated national observance bringing communities together through shared civic reflection.

July 28, 2026—1619: The Journey of a People, The Theater Production: A one-man theater presentation covering American history from the arrival of 20 enslaved Africans at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619.

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Collect.com. Connecting collectors to what matters. Search our collector’s database for services, events, resources, and articles about the collectibles you love.

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There’s something about May that feels like the official start of hunting season. No, not for deer or ducks, but for treasures.

The weather finally cooperates just enough to get us out the door. It’s warm enough to work up a sweat, but not quite “a stroll on the surface of the sun” warm. A glass of lemonade in the shade can usually bring your core temperature back down to something resembling sauna levels, and that’s about all the encouragement most of us need to start poking around flea markets, yard sales, and antique malls again.

This is the time of year when the thrill of the hunt kicks back in. Tables fill up, vendors return, and there’s always the possibility that the next booth holds something you didn’t even know you were looking for—until you see it.

The start of flea market season always reminds me why I love the hunt in the first place. A couple of years ago, I spotted a fiery L.E. Smith swung vase at Canton’s First Monday for the low, low price of $75. It was one of those moments where your brain barely has time to register what you’re looking at before your hands have already snatched it up, leaving a breeze in your wake.

Nearly every spring, I start eyeing my own shelves a little more critically. Not everything, mind you. Some things are staying put (hands off the Tiki and the swung vases). But a few older treasures may be ready to move along, making room for the new tchotchkes and baubles waiting to follow me home.

Of course, this year feels a little different. After a recent move that forced me to part with nearly half of what I owned, there’s not quite as much left to ‘clean out’ as there once was. But even after a major reset, I’m finding that the urge to refine never really goes away. There’s always something that no longer fits, something that’s ready to be passed along, or just enough space to justify bringing home one more treasure.

That’s part of the cycle, too. Collecting isn’t just about acquiring. It’s also about refining, rotating, and occasionally letting go so something new can take its place.

As this issue reaches you, I’m already looking ahead to my next run through First Monday in Canton. It’s one of those places where the hunt feels especially alive beneath a cloudless Texas sky, so beautifully blue and offering absolutely no relief from the sun. With row after row and building after building of possibilities, the hunt at Canton is equal parts overwhelming and exhilarating. You never know what you’ll find, but with 450 acres of treasures to dig through, you know it’s out there somewhere.

And that’s really the point, isn’t it?

The hunt.

Collect.com. Connecting collectors to what matters. Search our collector’s database for services, events, resources, and articles about the collectibles you love.

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Denim is one thing that gets more stylish as it gets older. Fashion fans will tell you that vintage denim, whether it’s in the form of jeans or jackets, is even cooler than the newest styles. They’re also willing to pay high prices for authentic vintage pieces. Earlier this month, Guinness World Records reported that a Japanese company paid 55 million Yen (about £260,590, or $349,190) for a vintage Levi’s jacket, making it the most expensive second-hand non-memorabilia denim jacket.

The jacket is a S506XXE, a style made during World War II. By that time, Levi Strauss & Co. had been making denim jackets for decades; the company invented the first riveted denim jacket in the 1870s. It was made during World War II and has several features that were necessitated by rationing. Instead of the pleated back that Levi’s used for its original jackets, it has a split back that made efficient use of fabric by using two pieces sewn together. Levi’s left the pocket flaps off its jackets at the time, another way to save fabric. The donut buttons helped conserve metal, too. The jacket isn’t just a classic style; it’s a reminder of how the war affected everyday life and required sacrifices, even small ones, from all.

The extreme rarity of finding an old jacket in near-mint condition adds to its value. The leather patch inside its collar is intact, and the lot number and size are still legible.

The company that purchased it, FIVESTAR Inc., is a beauty salon group. CEO Masayuki Sasaki acknowledged that a denim jacket might sound like an odd purchase for them, but stated, “Beauty isn’t limited to hair and cosmetics. Clothing, environment, movement, time all contribute to beauty. I hope that with this event, we can create opportunities to take Japanese aesthetics further to the stage of world culture.”

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A recent sale at Sotheby’s in New York was a landmark for the auction house and set a new record for design. The Collection of Jean & Terry de Gunzburg—Design Matters auction on April 22, the first standalone single-owner design auction at Sotheby’s new Breuer building, featured 123 works from a high-profile collection. The pièce de resistance of their collection, and of the auction, was a group of 15 mirrors by Claude Lalanne for the Paris residence of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. The mirrors sold as a single lot for $33.5 million, the highest auction price for any work of design.

The de Gunzburgs furnished their home, which they described as “New York on the outside, Paris on the inside,” with the works of some of the most radical and influential French designers of the 20th century. In a press release, they said, “Collecting has been one of the great privileges of our lives” and stated they were “proud to share it now through our partnership with Sotheby’s, and hope it will continue to inspire new custodians, including our children, to follow their own paths of looking, learning, and collecting.”

The mirrors, which the de Gunzburgs purchased in 2009, were made over 10 years, from 1974 to 1985. Saint Laurent commissioned them directly from Claude Lalanne after she started collaborating with him, creating unusual electroplated accessories from molds of models’ arms and torsos. The mirrors have more conventional designs, with leaves and vines decorating their patinated bronze and galvanized copper frames, but their sculptural forms and naturalistic themes reflect Lalanne’s distinctive work. Saint Laurent initially requested two mirrors, but the collection grew over the years.

For the de Gunzburgs, the mirrors, which Sotheby’s called “the most important mirrors outside Versailles,” had a personal element. Terry first encountered them while working with Saint Laurent. She spent fifteen years at his beauty brand. Perhaps she saw something of herself in Claude Lalanne. Like her, Terry de Gunzburg had an eye for design, and she, too, shared her artistic passion with her husband, although the de Gunzburg’s collaboration was in their collecting and the Lalannes (or “Les Lalanne,” as they were known professionally) were designers.

The $33.5 million sale price for the mirrors broke the previous design record, which was another Lalanne design from a significant collection that sold at Sotheby’s. The Hippopotame bar, a unique piece of figural furniture handmade by François-Xavier Lalanne, sold for $31.4 million at Sotheby’s Important Design, Featuring Works from the Schlumberger Collection in December 2025.

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Collect.com. Connecting collectors to what matters. Search our collector’s database for services, events, resources, and articles about the collectibles you love.

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The May 2026 issue of Kovels Antique Trader offers collectors a mix of history, artistry, design, and seasonal inspiration, with features celebrating both the practical and whimsical sides of collecting.

Our own jewelry genius, Pamela Wiggins Siegel, explores the sparkling world of vintage butterfly jewelry, highlighting brooches, necklaces, and earrings that bring the beauty of nature into wearable form. From affordable costume pieces to standout designer examples, Siegel examines why these glittering insects continue to attract collectors.

In Nature’s Beauties, readers are invited to stroll through America’s sculpture parks, where large-scale works of art and thoughtfully designed landscapes intersect. This feature examines how sculpture gardens offer collectors and art enthusiasts alike a unique way to experience creativity in outdoor settings.

Whimsy takes center stage in This Garden is Really Hopping, a look at collectible garden frogs and the enduring popularity of these playful figures. From charming decorative accents to full-fledged collections, frog-themed garden décor proves that once collectors welcome one frog, many more are often sure to follow.

History and fine art meet in Framing a Nation in Art, where Schoelkopf Gallery’s milestone is examined alongside America’s approaching Semiquincentennial. As a gallery milestone meets America’s 250th anniversary, the feature explores how art reflects the evolution of a changing nation while preserving its cultural identity.

For collectors interested in practical antiques, Paul Kennedy’s A Close Shave delves into the history of shaving collectibles, tracing the evolution of grooming tools and their place in material culture. Meanwhile, Looking Beyond the Block revisits war and victory garden posters, showcasing the powerful blend of art, messaging, and resilience during pivotal moments in history.

Complementing the feature lineup, this month’s Sales Reports spotlight strong auction activity in garden décor, statuary, and decorative arts, while Dr. Cavo delves into carnival glass Homestead Plates and (maybe) Capodimonte in this month’s Collector’s Gallery.

In her Editor’s Note, The Season of the Hunt, Editor Kele Johnson reflects on the excitement of flea market season, the joy of treasure hunting, and the ongoing balance between refining existing collections while making room for new discoveries.

All this, and more, in the May issue of Kovels Antique Trader. Hop on in for a springtime celebration of the season.

Collect.com. Connecting collectors to what matters. Search our collector’s database for services, events, resources, and articles about the collectibles you love.

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No matter where you are in the United States, there is a tradition of craftmaking. From woven baskets to glass sculptures to patchwork quilts, American-made craft is as old as the nation itself and has developed into an ever-growing assortment of objects that fill homes, craftspersons’ workshops, and the collections of museums and related arts institutions.

Such has been explored since 2004 with the nonprofit Craft in America. Through its special programming, including the Craft in America Center in Los Angeles, online education guides, publications, partnerships, and the Peabody-winning television series of the same name airing nationally on PBS, the organization promotes American-made handcrafted work.

A prime example can be seen in the recent episodes of the famous docuseries, which cover historic and modern craft from throughout the United States. In episodes segmented and titled by region: “North” (premiering December 18), “South” (premiering December 18), “East,” and “West,” the program covers from the concrete streets of New York City to the beaches of Hawai’i.

Handwork 2026

This television programming was produced in conjunction with another Craft in America initiative, Handwork 2026, which celebrates America’s Semiquincentennial year-round with arts institutions, makers, and educators. Handwork 2026 (handwork2026.org) was the creation of former Executive Director and founder of Craft in America, Carol Sauvion, who began planning three years ago. Upon her retirement in 2025, Robyn Hollingshead and Ann Ruhr Pifer serve as co-executive directors.

Although Handwork 2026 was inspired by the American 250th anniversary, it also builds upon a previous initiative in 1993 that, through a congressional pronouncement, led to the establishment of the White House Craft collection. “We thought, wouldn’t it be great to do a national craft celebration on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the United States, because craft is such an important element of our cultural history as a country,” explains Ann Ruhr Pifer. “And we thought, we’ll get maybe thirty organizations across the country to join in. And it kind of ballooned in terms of number of participants, now we have over 250…we’re in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.”

A major component of Handwork 2026 is the collaborative exhibitions and events occurring throughout the United States, which can be found on the Craft Map on the program’s website. Many of these activities are paired with educational programming and related digital content, and a book will also be released in summer 2026.

Participating institutions include museums large and small (read “Common Threads in Arkansas” in the February 2026 issue of Kovels Antique Trader for a taste of such programming) and major craft organizations like Penland School of Crafts and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

Just as the event locations are diverse, so too are the subjects and forms of craft explored. “We’re focusing on objects that are made by hand in clay, fiber, glass, metal, mixed media, paper, and wood,” says Ann. “We make an effort to show the breadth of craft: from functional everyday objects to studio art, and from historic techniques to contemporary approaches. It’s really broad, and there’s a passion for the handmade behind it.”

The core exhibition of the program is Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Opening November 13, the installation draws on its collection and new acquisitions to showcase over 100 works that connect art and craft. The newly acquired works were purchased by the museum from funds raised by Craft in America and Handwork 2026, using the Renwick Gallery’s “wishlist” to fill gaps in its American craft collection, including works by well-known names such as Angela Ellsworth, Ato Ribeiro, and Jan Yager.

On her hopes for Handwork 2026, Ann wants more people to connect with craft and find joy and meaning in handmade objects. “By making them, using them, appreciating them. There’s really something special about the handmade that enhances our lives and brings us back to what’s human.”

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Collect.com. Connecting collectors to what matters. Search our collector’s database for services, events, resources, and articles about the collectibles you love.

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