Participating Organizations

Kim Kovel and WVIZ/PBS ideastream Public Media are proud to preserve and share the remarkable legacy of her parents, Ralph and Terry Kovel. Kim worked alongside Ralph and Terry for more than 35 years running the publishing company and helping produce publications, conduct research, create educational content, and expand the Kovels brand into the digital age. Through this partnership with public media, their groundbreaking work in antiques and collectibles continues to educate, inspire, and connect audiences with history, craftsmanship, and the stories behind the objects we treasure.

Founded by Ralph and Terry Kovel, Kovels Antiques, Inc. has become one of the most trusted resources in the collecting world. The Kovels authored more than 115 books and special reports on antiques and collectibles, including the annual Kovels' Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide, which has sold more than 4 million copies. Their publications have educated generations of collectors and remain essential references for dealers, auction houses, museums, and enthusiasts.

The Kovels' influence extends far beyond publishing. Since 1955, their antiques and collectibles column has appeared in newspapers across America, becoming the longest-running syndicated weekly collectibles column in the United States and reaching readers through more than 150 newspapers nationwide.

As pioneers in antiques media, Ralph and Terry brought collecting to television audiences through three successful series. Know Your Antiques produced by WVIZ starting in 1969 introduced viewers to the fundamentals of identifying and evaluating antiques through public television. Collector's Journal with Ralph and Terry Kovel, airing on the Discovery Channel by 1990, showcased antiques, museums, and collecting trends from around the country. In 2001, the Kovels launched Flea Market Finds with the Kovels on HGTV, a nationally televised series that explored flea markets, collectibles, and antiques while teaching viewers how to recognize valuable finds and emerging collecting categories. The show ultimately ran for seven seasons. Their educational television programming earned the couple two Emmy Awards, helping introduce millions of viewers to the history, value, and enjoyment of collecting.

Their expertise has been sought by major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Town & Country, and Good Housekeeping. The Kovels also authored the collectibles entry for Encyclopaedia Britannica and served as expert witnesses and consultants in legal and appraisal matters.

Today, the legacy of Ralph and Terry Kovel continues through Kovels.com, one of the leading digital resources for antiques and collectibles. With extensive price databases, market reports, expert articles, collecting news, and educational resources, Kovels serves collectors around the world while continuing its mission of making antiques knowledge accessible, reliable, and engaging for everyone.

For decades, Ralph and Terry Kovel have been recognized as the "duke and duchess of the antiques world," and their contributions have helped shape the modern collectibles industry. Their passion for education, research, and preservation continues to inspire collectors and preserve the stories behind the objects that connect us to our past.