A few weeks back my mother asked me to assist her with the task of getting an antique baby cradle that we had in the attic appraised. Sounded like a boring choir but I love my momsie, so I agreed. Cut to Saturday.
My sisters, mom and I rolled into a Methodist Church on 4th and New streets (apparently the oldest functioning church in these United States) and were greeted by a world-renowned art historian who treated everyone in attendance to a show while estimating the prices of what was previously-thought to be worthless shit.
Syndicated columnist, doctor and “guest” on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Dr. Lori offered great theater while appraising family heirlooms, “junk” purchased at yard sales and other miscellaneous crap people brought to St. George’s United Methodist Church. Dr. Lori was blunt, funny and offered sound advice on how to sell merchandise, who to sell it to and what you should get for it.
Participants sat in pews as all the items were placed in front of Dr. Lori. The good doctor walked around the items and called out to the owners with various questions. “Is this 18th or 19th century?” “How can you tell good clay from bad clay?” and “Is cut glass or pressed glass worth more?”
Some interesting notes from her talk:
-When selling stuff on e-Bay, register a Post Office box (creepy people apparently exist on the Internet).
-Don’t sell items to appraisers (someone could offer you $50 for something that he or she knows is worth $50,000).
-Americans think all their stuff is junk; a lot of it can be sold for decent money if you work at it.
-Don’t have yard sales. Period.
-95 percent of sports memorabilia is fake.
-Diamond from the 1920s and 1950s are cut better than in other eras and today.
-All appraisers should wear gloves because of oil on people’s hands (Slubs on TV that don’t cover their hands aren’t respecting items).
Of the thirty or so items brought for appraisal, most went for upwards of $100 with some being in the thousands. Antiques ranging from candlesticks to tea sets to signed baseballs to paintings to postcards were priced. The top item I saw was a diamond bracelet that was priced at $5,000-$8,000.
How did we do? What turned out to be our 18th century wind-back cradle could have been worth $5,000, but because my great-aunt Ginny had dogs it was deemed damaged. Still, Dr. Lori said we could get $2,500 for it. Couple that with a $500 copper (not brass, mom) mirror and the Scavuzzos did alright. If you want to check her out, Dr. Lori will be appearing at the Upper Merion Township Building in King Prussia May 18 and at Monroe High School May 20.
Now, what was our e-Bay password again?…
—Sam Fran Scavuzzo
2 Comments
May 19, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Hi Sam,
This is the “good doctor” as they say. Thanks for the blog mention. I’m glad to hear that you had fun at the St. George’s Church event. It’s always good to do those chores that Mom asks you to do like getting appraisals. Your title is particularly sharp–Appraise the Lord (priceless).
I conduct about 100+ antiques appraisal events like the one you attended nationwide and I always have a good time with the audience members and their interesting objects. On Saturday, we had a fun crowd, particularly 80-something Gladys who acquired lots of gorgeous jewelry from many a suitor over the years. Yet through it all she got the goods but never married. It’s fun to see folks laugh so much during an event conducted by a stuffy, old PhD like me. The afternoon was great fun and the objects evaluted were cool, too.
As for you guys, seated with easy access to the cookies, I enjoyed your family’s comments. I must say that I was most complimented by your sister (I assume it was your sister–a bright, graphic design student) who took copious notes throughout the program. I am always glad to see someone care about the information exchanged all in pursuit of protecting art and antiques. Thanks for sharing my tips with your blog colleagues too. That’s right, don’t host a yard sale. Period!
In all, your sincere interest warmed my heart!
St. George’s was a superb setting and here’s hoping that your Mom’s pets refrain from chewing her beautiful and valuable antique cradle. Remember, you have the stuff!
Keep in touch, Sam.
–Dr. Lori
May 19, 2008 at 9:50 pm
sweet title, sam.