A Look Inside the September 2026 Issue of Kovels Antique Trader
From centuries-old documents and Tiki ephemera to shipwreck treasures and memories, the September issue explores the many ways the past finds its way into the present.
What do a Tiki menu, a Revolutionary War broadside, a first-edition book, and a pop-up have in common? They were all made of paper, and all were meant to be used, handled, read, and eventually discarded. Somehow, they survived.
The September issue of Kovels Antique Trader explores the endlessly varied world of ephemera, where fragile pieces of paper can preserve everything from everyday life and popular culture to moments of extraordinary historical importance. This issue examines objects not necessarily created to last but now offer collectors a tangible connection to the past.
Among them is one of the rarest printed versions of the Declaration of Independence. A previously unknown Exeter broadside, discovered in the UK National Archives nearly 250 years after it was printed, brings the number of known examples to just 11 and adds a remarkable new chapter to the document’s history.
From there, the issue moves into the world of rare books and related ephemera, including first editions sought by collectors and the dealers who specialize in finding them.
And then we get to one of my favorite corners of the issue: Tiki. In “Illustrating Paradise,” collector, author, and Polynesian Pop historian Sven Kirsten explains how menus, postcards, matchbooks, brochures, and other paper ephemera helped create the immersive visual world of mid-century Tiki culture.
The September issue also ventures beneath the waves with stories on ocean-inspired vintage jewelry and artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, before returning to paper with a look at the surprising history and enduring appeal of pop-up books.
The September issue also takes a personal turn in Editor Kele Johnson’s letter. While working on a Sales Report featuring a signed copy of Tim Curry’s memoir, Vagabond, Johnson found herself reminiscing about the characters he brought into her life over the decades, from Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Cardinal Richelieu to Long John Silver and Nigel Thornberry. Written before Curry’s death on August 25, what began as an unexpected trip down memory lane has since become a bittersweet tribute to an actor whose unforgettable characters entertained generations of fans.
From centuries-old documents to Tiki menus, rare books, shipwreck artifacts, and pop-culture memories, the September issue is a reminder that almost anything can become collectible when it has a good story to tell.
