Historical society to offer free appraisal of antiques

To benefit Heritage Village, the society plans an appraisal session Saturday.

By MAUREEN BYRNE

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 23, 2000

LARGO -- Capitalizing on the popularity of Antiques Roadshow, the most watched program on public television, the Pinellas County Historical Society will present its own antique appraisal session. Each week, 14-million viewers tune in to the hourlong Roadshow, which features people who bring their treasures for free appraisals by experts. The show is broadcast on Monday and Friday on WEDU-TV Ch. 3. Looking for a way to raise money and awareness for Heritage Village, the county's historical museum, society members decided to host the first-ever Appraisals at Heritage Village from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

People are invited to stop by the Pinellas Room at the village, 11909 125th St. in Largo, and have an appraiser look at their items. Verbal appraisals will cost $5 for one item and $12 for three items.

"It's always a thrill to find out something is worth a lot," said Jody Stanley, first vice president of the society, which has been in existence since Heritage Village was founded in 1976.

Mrs. Stanley will bring a doll crib that belonged to her grandmother to the event. "It's worth something to me, but I don't know," she said.

Mona Rohrbough, president of the society, said people can bring anything they want, as long as they can carry it.

She said six individuals in the antiques business will donate their time as appraisers. "They know what they're doing," she said. "They know their merchandise. Each one is knowledgeable in their own field."

Pat France, who has owned an antiques and Oriental rug store in Belleair Bluffs for 16 years, will share her knowledge on Victorian and costume jewelry, Oriental rugs and Oriental items.

What makes her an expert?

"There's no substitute for experience," she said.

That experience comes from visiting museums, attending seminars and reading reference books, she added.

Mrs. France said some appraisers are licensed by various antiques organizations, but that doesn't mean they are educated in all fields. "For a lot of the old-timers, it's just a matter of years of experience," she said.

Other appraisers scheduled for Saturday's event are Judy Schmutzer (general antiques, china, silver and glass), John Chalapis (arms and armor), Eleanor Vassel (costume jewelry), Tedi Crawford (general antiques and pottery) and Jay Dobkin (books).

Mrs. Stanley and Mrs. Rohrbough hope for a good turnout on Saturday. Most likely, that won't be a problem.

Two years ago, folks flooded Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History for an event similar to Heritage Village's. And last June, more than 5,000 hopefuls crowded Tampa Convention Center when Antiques Roadshow filmed one of its shows there.

"That's one of the pitfalls of these shows," Mrs. France said. "People often think they have antiques and they don't, and then sometimes the things they think are not of value are really the most valuable items."

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