From the Editor: Looking Back, Holding On, Letting Go
As roles change and collections shift, 2025 reminded us that collecting is as much about stories and seasons of life as it is about objects.
Looking back on 2025 feels like opening a box I packed months ago and forgot about (something that my recent move has provided in spades). There is a mixture of surprise, recognition, and a bit of nostalgia that comes when you rediscover the things that tether you to who you once were (home dweller, digital editor) while simultaneously freeing you to move into a new phase (apartment dweller, magazine editor). This year marked a shift for Kovels Antique Trader as we stepped into a new editorial chapter. I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the steady hand that guided this magazine for so many years. Paul Kennedy’s leadership shaped the voice, the wonder, and the sense of fun that our readers have come to rely on. Being given the responsibility to carry that forward has been both humbling and meaningful (with extra emphasis on the humbling part).
I settled into this role during a time of downsizing in preparation for much smaller digs. As I began to reduce collections, furniture, and the everyday flotsam and jetsam one accumulates in life, I had to ask myself some hard questions. What do I keep? What do I pass along? What still sparks joy, memory, or wonder? I let go of many things yet held tighter to others, and I felt lighter with each decision. But isn’t that the truth behind collecting? It is not only about what we collect. It is about the stories behind these objects we’ve acquired and the choices we make (some reluctantly) to keep or pass them on to someone else as we move through stages of our lives.
This year’s Kovels Antique Trader pages echoed that same balance of memory and discovery. We revisited the elegance of Erté, the unsettling charm of haunted dolls, and the delicate genius of Rory McEwen’s botanical art. We marveled at the glow of Tiffany Studios’ lamps and the grace of Saarinen’s Womb Chair. We tapped our toes to the rhythm of Bob Dylan’s lyrics, rediscovered the whimsy of vintage Fisher-Price toys, and followed the surprising trail of Johnny Appleseed’s Bible. We revisited McClelland Barclay’s artful spirit and delighted in nutcrackers that turned up the holiday cheer.
We were fortunate to chat about working for the greater good of one’s community with Robbie Wolfe, dish 2025 trends with Chairish’s own Noel Fahden, we watched Dorothy’s ruby slippers hit the auction block for a staggering $32.5M, and relived the joy of the toys that could have maimed us for life. We examined the things that shaped history, surprised us at auction, or just made us smile, and in doing so, we are reminded that collecting connects the past and present in ways that are both practical and sentimental.
As we move into 2026, my hope for you is simple. May you find joy in the hunt, comfort in the familiar, and meaning in the stories that rise to the surface. Whether your treasures live on a shelf, in a display case, or in a storage unit waiting for their next chapter, I hope they continue to spark your curiosity and bring you happiness in the year ahead.
Thank you for joining us on the journey through 2025. We have so much more to discover together.
