Absolutely Waterford will present some of the most respected antiques appraisers in the area at its premiere Appraisal Fair on Saturday, May 2.
A slate of five professionals will offer honest and insightful verbal appraisals on a variety of items – from coins and household goods, to maps and fishing tackle.
Appraisal tickets are $10 per item and admission into the fair, which will also offer dozens of vendors, live demonstrations and food, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Waterford Union High School, 100 Field Drive.
Tickets are on sale at various businesses throughout downtown Waterford; at the Village Hall, 123 N. River St.; and Absolutely Waterford, 101 E. Main St. Tickets can also be purchased online at absolutelywaterford.org.
For more information, call (262) 534-9000. This fund-raising event is sponsored in part by BMO Harris Bank and Enve Salon and Day Spa.
Barbara Eash and family histories
To Barbara Eash “an antique is a memory you can hold in your hand.” The antiques expert based out of Waukesha said she has been fascinated with all things from the past since she was a small child admiring her great-grandmother’s pump organ.
She is widely known for her roles as coordinator for Milwaukee Public Television’s Annual Appraisal Fair, University of Wisconsin-Waukesha Continuing Education antiques instructor and regular columnist in the Waukesha Freeman and other publications.
Eash specializes in furniture, ivory, lamps, textiles, dolls, tribal art, clocks, toys, costume jewelry and decorative arts, among other valuables.
Though rare and interesting pieces from the past keep her job exciting, it is the people who bring Eash the most fulfillment.
“The rarest moment for me is not when the item is being appraised, it’s that we are allowed to step into family histories,” she said.
Eash can be reached at (262) 524-2014.
Dr. Andrew McLean, the bibliomaniac
As a lover of the written word, University of Wisconsin-Parkside English Professor Andrew McLean has devoted his career to educating people about “the world of the book – its history, printers, illustrators, presses…”
On May 2, McLean will be on hand at the Absolutely Waterford Appraisal Fair to offer his extensive knowledge in books, manuscripts and maps.
Ticketholders can expect an honest valuation of their books based on condition, subject, and binding, among other features, McLean said.
A book does not have to be “old” to be valuable, according to McLean. “Most old books are just old books. Most books are first editions,” he explained. “What makes a book valuable is what sets it apart from other books,” such as binding, autograph, illustrations etc.
His advice for beginning collectors: “Always buy books in excellent, physical condition. Visit antiquarian bookshops to get a sense of what books cost and what’s available.”
Dave Hunsicker, old-money evaluator
Dave Hunsicker has been collecting coins for six decades, with his interest stemming back to childhood when he recalls going to the bank and searching rolls of coins.
“Coins are popular because everyone likes old money,” said the appraiser who specializes in U.S. coins and paper money. Hunsicker will be among other experts at the Absolutely Waterford Appraisal Fair May 2.
Hunsicker appraises coins at the General Store Antiques Mall in Kewaskum. He’s also a featured appraiser at the Milwaukee Public Television Appraisal Fair and last month, offered his expertise to the Richfield Historical Society.
As an active member of the American Numismatic Association, Hunsicker is passionate about collecting and educating others about old money.
Anyone getting an appraisal from Hunsicker can expect the most honest and accurate feedback. “I tell people what their items are worth and that they should not accept anything less,” he said.
For anyone looking to start a collection, he suggests not attempting to obtain all dates on coins. Instead, “do a type set which is collecting one coin of all the different denominations made.”
Hunsicker also knows about stamps and pocket watches, but prefers to appraise currency.
Bill Muth is the Reel Deal!
Avid fisherman Bill Muth got hooked on collectable fishing gear when his father started keeping a collection that he would occasionally add to—picking up old lures and interesting reels.
He now has more than 20 years of experience in antique and collectable fishing tackle.
Since Waterford is a river town, where casting lines is a focal point in community recreation, event organizers said Muth’s participation and expertise is very fitting for the Absolutely Waterford Appraisal Fair May 2, where he will offer appraisals on fishing reels, lures, rods, tackle boxes, minnow traps, catalogs, advertising, and anything else fishing-related.
For Muth, who relocated to Waterford in 2012, it’s a way to give back to his new community. He said he strives to make his appraisals an enjoyable experience.
He focuses on reels, stating some of the top reel makers in the 1800s were jewelers. Their work translated into fishing reels that are truly beautiful,” he said. “However, an item does not have to be very old to be valuable.”
Certain lures produced in the 1980s can be worth a lot of money, he said, if there is sufficient collector interest and the lure is a rare color.
John Poorman appraises for the greater good
For more than 30 years, Poorman and his wife Chris owned and operated Sturtevant’s Revival Antiques on Highway 11, the old St. Sebastian’s that the couple “turned back to the Lord,” upon retirement 10 years ago. Today it operates as Calvary Chapel.
These days, the expert appraiser, with more than 50 years of experience in the world of antiques, uses his knowledge to give back.
Like other appraisers who will be showcased at the Absolutely Waterford Appraisal Fair May 2, Poorman developed his love for old objects from a loved one.
In the ’60s and ’70s, he and his dad would spend their weekends hosting large antique auctions in Illinois, which included old tractor, steam engines, and hupmobiles, among other collectables.
“He really loved old stuff. He would buy old schools, churches and houses and fill them with antiques, then we would have a big auction,” Poorman reminisced.
It wasn’t long before his knowledge in antiques grew and he was sought after by people with old tools, furniture, glass, china, advertisements, military items and more.
His fascination with all things old is “something that’s in my blood,” Poorman said, so he keeps on appraising, and doing it for those in need.
-
-
-
-
-