From the Editor: Because Paul Said So
A childhood chore, a passion for the past, and the guidance of a much-admired colleague led me to my dream job.
As I write this, spring has sprung here in Texas—at least this week. Next week, we could be back in the 20s, but my hope springs eternal. With the promise of renewal in the air, it feels somehow fitting that this is my first issue as editor of Kovels Antique Trader.
If you’d told my 13-year-old self—whose weekly chore it was to dust my mom’s McCoy pottery with minimal breakage—that I’d someday be writing this column as the new editor of a national antiques magazine, I probably would’ve rolled my eyes and sprayed you with Pledge. At the time, I was determined to become an equine veterinarian. Old furniture and cracked pottery weren’t even on my radar.
But sometimes, the things our parents collect have a way of sticking with you, even if you don’t realize it right away. From those early days, something took root. In my 20s, I became obsessed with McCoy pottery, and my mother’s mini-me was born. I became curious about the stories behind collectibles I came across in my hunt for the elusive McCoy Freddie the Gleep cookie jar. That curiosity about the things humans leave behind led me to return to college for a degree in archaeology from the University of Wyoming, where I focused on Plains prehistory (and yes, I still geek out over projectile points and stone tools).
These days, I live in a small Texas town with Malachi, my 80-pound lapdog-in-disguise, and a jet-black cat with a canine identity crisis. I still love McCoy pottery, but I’ve added swung vases, uranium glass, and anything Mid-Century Modern or Tiki into the mix. And now, I’ve added “Editor” to my job title.
Paul Kennedy left some pretty big shoes to fill, and that’s a challenge I don’t take lightly. Paul began with Krause Publications back in 1997. He continued through its evolutions into F+W Media and now Active Interest Media. He’s probably forgotten more about collectibles than most people ever know. He hasn’t been gone for a month yet, and I miss his energy and his steadfast belief in my abilities to conquer all things collectible. But that’s Paul. He leaves a lasting impression on everyone he meets.
I first approached Paul about writing for Kovels Antique Trader after leaving WorthPoint. What started as a conversation about freelance work turned into something much bigger. Paul encouraged me to apply for the Digital Content Editor role with the collectibles division—and, well, the rest is history. One of my favorite parts of this journey has been working with Paul. In the first meeting we had, when this newbie’s head was spinning from all the information, new programs, and new people I was trying to absorb, Paul gave me a sage little piece of advice. It resonated with me so much that I wrote it on a sticky note and stuck it to my computer.
That was a year and a half ago, and it’s still there, helped along by a bit of scotch tape. His advice? “Paul is ALWAYS right.” Darned if that wasn’t nearly 100% true.
And now, for the stuff that pays the bills…the May issue reflects the diverse world of collecting. While we spotlight fine and decorative arts, including a look at the stunning Tiffany glass and lamps featured in a recent Sotheby’s auction—we also dive into more personal passions. Pam Siegel explores the playful elegance of Trifari figural jewelry, and we profile artist Rory McEwen, whose botanical works continue to captivate collectors. And for a change of pace, Eric Bradley shares a lighthearted (and all-too-relatable) confession: his obsession with thrifting. It’s a mix that speaks to the collector in all of us: part beauty, part curiosity, and always a bit of fun.
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