(From the Edinburgh Republic, Oct 10, 2007)
Whatís it really worth? Appraisal event helps visitors uncover true value of odds, ends
By Brian Blair
bblair@therepublic.com
EDINBURGH ó Some wanted to know if
theyíd found junk or the jackpot as they sifted through
belongings of parents or grandparents. Columbusí John Williams
just wanted to see if his ceramic Rookwood bookends boasted value
beyond the book shelf.
He got an answer within minutes from
appraiser Jeff Crabb, who found the pieces listed in a reference book
at his fingertips.
ìThese were the largest bookends
Rookwood ever made," Crabb said, as he checked details in his
antiques guide.
The bottom line: The bird pieces done in 1928
by artist McDonald Hawthorne are worth between $2,000 and $3,000
ó substantially more than Williams expected.
He participated in Exit 76 Antique
Mallís Free Market Value event, a local version, in a sense,
of ìAntiques Roadshow," Saturday near Edinburgh. Nearly 100
owners of this and that came for estimates and background.
Appraiser Crabb recently met a Carmel woman
with a glass item she figured was worth maybe $200 tops. It was
valued at $3,000.
North Vernonís Patty Shepherd and her
mom brought a pitcher, bowl and a McCoy vase for appraisal.
ìWe just never see one (vase) this
size," Shepherd said.
Value beyond money
She recently spoke to her children, ages 22
and 25, about keeping valued items passed down to them, a theme
several visitors mentioned while they waited about 45 minutes in
line. ìI tell them what things are worth," Shepherd said.
ìBut what they would do (with keepsakes) once Iím gone
is anybodyís guess." Sandy Sanders, who helped people move
through Saturdayís line, noticed that folks had a soft spot
for more than hard numbers. ìThey want a story, if possible,
so they can know the history of the piece they have," she said. Some
carried intriguing pieces, such as the woman who brought in lace
placemats she said were from Mamie Eisenhower. The woman said she was
a longtime friend of Julie Eisenhower, the former first ladyís
granddaughter-in-law. The appraisers had to tell the disappointed
woman that she needed to provide photos to properly document the
placematsí value. Columbusí Norman Minor showed off an
1870s pitchfork that had been smoothly refinished and slightly
restored. The tool, passed along by his mother-in-law 45 years ago,
was pegged at $125. Exit 76 Manager Nic Nicoson already is hoping for
another Fair Market Value event, possibly in the spring.
ìWeíll definitely do it again next year," he said,
ìbecause of the numbers (of people)."
