Cheryl-Anne Millsap
The Spokesman-Review

It isn't just fishermen who tell tales about the ones that got away. Antiques collectors like to console themselves with stories of the pieces that sold for pennies to the person ahead of them, or of the seller who claims to have thrown out a stack of “ugly old paintings” because they were sure no one would want them.

When I was a young girl, I read a story about a man walking on the beach after a storm. The waves had washed away the sand and exposed a small opening into the cliff beside the shore.

The man reached into the shallow opening and found a pile of marble-sized balls of clay. As he strolled along, he occasionally reached into his pocket, took out a ball and threw it into the ocean.

When there were only one or two clay balls left in his pocket, he broke one open. To his amazement, he found a jewel inside. As I recall, the story said a pirate had buried the jewels in clay, dug out a small hole in the cliff and hidden his booty, intending to return one day.

The man on the beach was sick when he realized that instead of tossing lumps of clay into the sea, he had been throwing away a treasure.

On the popular public television series “Antiques Road Show,” thousands of people line up hoping to discover that they have a treasure. Experts armed with up-to-the-minute research and a mobile library of more than 300 books and publications do their best to make sure that an undiscovered treasure doesn't slip by.

At the end of the day, a lucky few are selected to share the story of how they came to own the items they brought in. Most are given good news.

Spokane's annual version of that show takes place later this month when the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture hosts its popular Antique Appraisal Days on March 19-20. Plus, on Sunday, the American Cancer Society hosts its third annual Antique Appraisal and Collectible Sale. (Details below.)

The market for antiques and collectibles is fluid and driven by demand. Availability, rarity and condition drive prices, and, like the fashion world, popularity drives the demand. For collectibles, what is trendy and expensive today might not be so hot tomorrow. But for the truly irreplaceable items like fine art and antiques, their value only grows with time.

If you want to know what you've got or what to look for as you make the rounds of shops and sales, knowledge is power. There are hundreds of books and price guides for buyers and collectors, most of which are updated annually. The Internet is an endless source of information.

Most of us don't really expect to find a truly priceless item, or even undiscovered treasure in our homes. But neither do we want to ignorantly toss a fortune out with the tide. So we watch the shows, read the books and keep our eyes on the market.

Sometimes a jewel is hidden under layers of dust and grime. And they don't always sparkle. A good treasure hunter uses his or her tools -- the experts -- to help see a diamond in the rough.

Appraisal days

Two events this month will give local collectors a chance to find out just how valuable those treasures are.

The American Cancer Society's third annual Antique Appraisal and Collectible Sale will be held at the Spokane Discovery Shop, 805 W. Garland Ave., Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The Discovery Shop sells donated clothing, books and household items, and all sales benefit the American Cancer Society.

Dave Williams, owner of Dave's Antiques and Collectible Jewelry, will perform the appraisals. Up to three items will be appraised for a single $10 donation.

For more information, call the shop at (509) 328-9373.

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture will hold its sixth annual Antique Appraisal Days on March 19 and 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “Antiques Road Show” appraiser and Seattle art glass expert Kathleen Bailey will headline the event. Seattle art appraiser Margaret Minnick will join her.

Local appraisers will include: Mike Block, appraising art pottery, photos and toys; Eppe Bosch, book restoration, stamps and paper ephemera; Ken Burchell, fine jewelry; Christi Chapman, costume jewelry; Julie Dearman, buttons, quilts and sewing items; Penn Fix, fine jewelry; Greg Flibbert, U.S. militaria; and George Nolan, books.

Up to five items can be appraised at a cost of $10 each. All of the proceeds go toward the restoration of Campbell House.

For more information, call the museum at (509) 456-3931.

Back to Top