Appraisal Day Raises Funds For Historical Society

By Jan Howard

Before the doors were opened on March 26, people were standing in line outside the Newtown Meeting House for a chance to find out the value of antiques and other treasures they had brought for appraisal by a panel of experts.

There were paintings, lamps, prints, jewelry, and furniture, among other items.

Over 196 items were appraised during the three-hour fundraiser sponsored by the Newtown Historical Society. The verbal appraisals were $5 per item.

The panel was comprised of Tucker Frey, owner of Tucker Frey Antiques in Woodbury; Wayne Mattox of Woodbury, owner of an auction gallery and appraisal service; Don Broderick, owner of Broderick’s Antiques in Springfield, Mass.; and Steve Stieglitz of Newtown and Manhattan, owner of an antiques and estate jewelry business for over 30 years.

Because of the limit of three items for appraisal per trip through the line, Society President Elin Hayes said some people made two or three trips.

The event was well received, she noted. “I got the sense people went away tickled pink. Some even went home and got more stuff.

“The service was valuable to them,” Mrs Hayes said. “It was good for us and for them.”

Some people went away very happy, she said.

One 1785 hand-painted creamware pitcher was appraised for over $7,500, Mrs Hayes said. “The appraisers said it was the finest example of that class of items they had ever seen.”

A lamp brought in for appraisal was valued close to $10,000, she noted.

 Other items might not have received as high an appraisal, but their owners were pleased with what they were told, such as Rhea Spiegel, whose 19th century hand-colored steel engraved music prints were appraised at $600.

Susan Wittig was especially pleased with a $1,500 to $2,500 appraisal for her framed signed portrait of a John Brown conspirator, Thaddeus Hyatt, who she said was investigated by a committee of the House of Representatives and imprisoned. When asked if she would be tempted to sell it, she said she didn’t think so since she found the photograph in a family album.

 The proceeds of $980 from the event will benefit the society’s programs.

“It’s significant to us,” Mrs Hayes said. “We’re really happy.”

Mrs Hayes said the society plans to have a microphone during the event next year so people can stay and listen to other appraisals.