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'AGE ADDS VALUE': Local appraisers offer their own version of Antiques Roadshow at senior village (PHOTOS)
About 30 seniors gathered at Crystal Bay Senior Village with their most valuable possessions for a free verbal appraisal by antique experts Jerry and Cathy Abrams.
Elisa Smith, organizer of the event, said they thought it would be a fun thing for the residents.
“Because here at Crystal Bay, we believe age adds value,” she said. “We’re just so happy Jerry and Cathy volunteered their time for this.”
The table on the far left side of the room was stacked with about two dozen pieces that have made it through the test of time.
“I ate ice cream out of that bowl as a little girl,” said Anne Fraser, one of the attendees, “And now my grandchildren eat ice cream out of it.”
Without hesitation, Cathy was able to tell her what decade the little china bowl came from, and what it was originally used for — it was a piece of a berry set, traditionally used to serve tea and fruit.
Fraser brought about three pieces including a satin glass vase said to be from the 1920s. Jerry estimated its worth at a few hundred dollars because of the Fenton gold décor on one side.
Crystal Bay resident Bob Williams brought a set of three decanters locked in a tantalus that has been in his family for more than 100 years.
The tantalus, which was meant to “keep the servants out of the booze,” shouted Willams, was estimated by Jerry to be from the Victorian age. Its worth alone is about $150. Each decanter, made out of crystal, is worth about $95 a piece. Which brings the grand total to $435.
Considering Willams brought the set to be appraised for fun, it was a nice surprise to learn the piece was worth so much.
For those who just came to listen, there was a good bit of history ringing through the halls of Crystal Bay and a story behind everything, even a woman’s stack of old mail. One of the letters had a stamp from the 1965 Space Accomplishments, which is the first sheet of stamps to ever come with different prints. Though she only had one print, which values around $35 dollars, a complete sheet of the 1965 stamp would start at $400.
Not all of the attendees had items, but Smith said the residents have been talking about it for weeks. They plan on doing it again so some residents have more time to gather their family heirlooms.
