Antique Trader, a magazine published 26 times per year in Iola, Wis., has served the antiques and collectibles community since 1957. Founded by Babka Publishing Co., later to become the flagship of employee-owned Krause Publications’ Antiques division, Antique Trader built its reputation as the premier print vehicle for the buying and selling of antiques nationwide. Its loyal following includes antique dealers, antique show promoters, shop and mall operators, and collectors, some of whom have subscribed to the paper since its inception.

During its first 27 years of operation, Antique Trader was strictly an advertising newspaper that connected buyers and sellers of antique and collectible items. In 1972, the paper took on a new mantle of importance to the trade when it introduced industry and collecting news to its format. Under the direction of antiques expert Kyle Husfloen, who served as the publication’s editor for 20 years, Antique Trader prospered and rose to a position of undisputed dominance in its field.

The Antique Trader name, which had become synonymous with antiques and collecting in all its forms, served as the springboard for the annually produced Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide. An industry staple, the price guide remains a market leader and America’s No. 1 selling identification guide.

In 1992, Babka Publishing sold Antique Trader and its related entities to Landmark Corporation, which, in turn, resold the titles to Krause Publications seven years later. In 2002, Krause Publications was purchased by F+W Publications, a multinational company based in Cincinnati that prints more than 400 collector magazines, as well as books, educational materials and the highly respected Writer’s Digest.

Today’s Antique Trader is known for its timely news coverage, collector profiles, indepth articles on general antiques topics, auction reviews and antique-show reports. Its staff of specialist writers is based in Iola, Wis.

In October 2006, Antique Trader launched an e-newsletter containing late-breaking news and features. Dispatched free of charge, the Antique Trader e-newsletter appears to be paving a solid course to the future for Antique Trader. Enthusiastically received by collectors and members of the trade, its subscriber numbers have increased substantially since its introduction.

January 19, 2008, Antique Trader launched a second free weekly e-newsletter focused on auction previews and highlights, which provides newsletter subscribers  with the most current antiques auction coverage available.

As of November 2012, Antoinette (Toni) Rahn is editor and online content manager, while Karen Knapstein is print editor. The magazine is designed by Jana Tappa and Nick Ockwig manages ad sales. Antique Trader magazine has a weekly circulation of more than 50,000 readers and more than 3,000 unique daily visitors to its website and serves up more than 1 million pageviews every year. Its blog has been rated one of the most widely read on antiques and collectibles.