Kovel research collection

Collection

Identifier: A2024-015

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection comprises over 730 cubic feet and includes research materials the Kovels amassed over decades to support their work. It includes clipping files, newsletters and journals, monographs, auction sales catalogs, and examples of fake artworks. The bulk of the collection, comprising over 560 cubic feet, is made up of monographs from the Kovel’s extensive research library.

Dates

Published materials, approximately 1900-2024
Clipping Files, approximately 1950-2024

Conditions Governing Access

Open to the public. For more information or to access this collection contact archives staff at archives@clevelandart.org.

Biographical / Historical

The Kovel name is synonymous with expertise in collecting. Years of leadership in the field of antiques and collectibles by Ralph and Terry Kovel epitomize their devotion to and enjoyment in educating others about the joys of collecting. They ran their publishing, on air, and online business from their home in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Their first book, "Dictionary of Marks: Pottery and Porcelain," published in 1953, is still in print and can be found in nearly three thousand libraries throughout the world. Nearly 100 books followed, including their annual antiques price list. A nationally syndicated column ran in hundreds of newspapers and Forbes magazine. Their newsletter, "Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles," was introduced in 1974. Television shows included those on HGTV, the Discovery Channel, and an Emmy award winning series on WVIZ PBS.

Ralph Kovel (1920-2008) was a successful food broker and executive with the Sara Lee Corporation, before he and Terry (b.1928), responding to overwhelming interest and demand from collectors like themselves, published "Dictionary of Marks," which launched their career in the field. Their passion for collecting resulted in the amassing of a remarkable and singular library and archive.

In addition to her work with collectibles, Terry also taught at Hawken School from 1961-1971. The Kovels have been important community leaders as well, volunteering for, among other organizations, the United Way, Council of Jewish Women, Hiram College, the Shaker Historical Society, and the Ohio Historical Preservation Committee.

Extent

731 Cubic Feet (The total box count is approximate)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The Kovel research collection is arranged into six broad series: Clipping Files, Newsletters and Journals, Monographs, Auction Sales Catalogs, and examples of fake artworks. The Kovels created two detailed indexing systems, which they applied to clipping files and monographs . Copies of these indexes provide insight into the original order of the research collection, have been digitized, and can be accessed from this finding aid. The monographs series is divided into subseries corresponding to top-level index topics. Each subseries includes a scope and contents note listing what topics are included therein. In general, the original order has been preserved, although additional notes and descriptions are added wherever useful. The detailed cataloging of the monographs and sales catalogs being added to the Ingalls Library and the processing of this collection is a long-term, ongoing project. This finding aid will be updated periodically.

Physical Location

A selection of monographs is being integrated into the Ingalls Library books collection. Bearing the Terry and Ralph Kovel electronic bookplate, these books can be browsed by searching for “Kovel Research Collection” in the Ingalls Library catalog at https://ingallslibrary.on.worldcat.org/. Cataloging these items is a long-term project; additional materials will be added to the library catalog regularly.

Much of the collection is stored at an offsite storage facility. Requests for materials should be made in advance by emailing archives@clevelandart.org.