DELPHOS — Approximately a dozen people hauled out family heirlooms and brought them to the Delphos Public Library Saturday afternoon for appraisal by professional dealer Ann Stratton.
Stratton pointed out that antique items are classified as 100 years or older but there is also a market for vintage and collectible items. As a professional appraiser for 48 years, she noted the unpredictability of the changing market.
“Prices for furniture are down while jewelry is marked way up. Items also sell better in different areas of the country,” she said.
Very collectible at the moment are real fountain pens with the old-fashioned bladder and logo cigarette lighters. Lighters given away years ago with the purchase of Winston or Salem cigarettes carrying the logo in red or green are worth $18 on today’s market.
Perhaps the biggest bang-for-the-buck item brought in Saturday by Lisa Menke was a “yard long” seascape watercolor, which she purchased for 50 cents at a garage sale. Stratton appraised it at $275.
Several nice pieces of carnival glass were appraised, most in the marigold color. Stratton told the history of carnival glass, which pre-dated county fairs. The glassware was given away at carnivals as prizes at competition booths. A lot of the glassware was made but a lot was simply thrown away by young men. Glassware that did make it home to mom or grandma faced the same disposition in the garbage. True carnival glassware is dry to the touch on the inside compared to the greasy feel of modern replica carnival glass.
A 1912 Ohio Jim Bottle brought in for appraisal only fetched a $12 value as Stratton advised the market has fallen for that category.
Two handmade crocks were valued in the $60-$70 category if sold in this area. Stratton advised the same item might fetch $100 -$150 if sold in the southern United States.
Stratton cautioned those with silver and silver-plated items to not use commercial dips and cleaners to “shine” them. Using a simple baking soda mix or white toothpaste is much less abrasive.
Above all, she encouraged everyone to enjoy their family heirlooms.
“Don’t leave it in boxes and closets. Put that lace tablecloth out and use the china and stemware. Wear that nice jewelry. You’re only here once, so enjoy it,” she said.