‘Great Expectations,’ Fairfield County’s Own

‘Antiques Roadshow, In Southport May 5

SOUTHPORT — Have you been wondering how much Aunt Dorothy’s ceramic vase is worth? What about that old coin or stamp collection you’ve had in storage all these years?  It’s time to gather up those old vintage and antique items and bring them to Great Expectations, an antique appraisal event premiering Saturday, May 5, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Trinity Episcopal Church of Southport in collaboration with Pequot Library will host 15 antique appraisers, all experts in their fields of valuables and antiques: furniture and rugs, art, ceramics, firearms, sterling silver, gemstones and jewelry, clocks, coins, stamps, manuscripts, autographs and much more, for a Fairfield County antique event like no other.

Attendees may bring up to three items to be appraised. A light luncheon will be served at Trinity Parish Hall from 11:30 am until 2 pm. All funds raised benefit Trinity Church’s outreach ministries and Pequot Library Children’s Program.

The appraisers, all based in Connecticut, will make themselves available for one-on-one consultations with visitors who bring along their vintage and antique items to the show. In the interest of time, and to keep things running smoothly, all Great Expectations quotes will be verbal. Visitors who would like written quotes for their items are encouraged to make arrangements with the individual appraisers during the show.

The following antiques experts and appraisers have agreed to participate in the inaugural Great Expectations show:

John Reznikoff, from University Archives in Westport, who specialize in autographs of historical figures from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and Presidents; Sam Sloat Coins, also of Westport, one of New England’s oldest, largest, and most reliable coin shops; and Bernard deMaillard, from Leonce Antiques, also of Westport, specializing in antique sterling silver, American and English, from 1840 to 1920.

Katherine Yellen, owner of Katherine Yellen Appraisal Associates in Ridgefield, is certified for antiques and residential contents and fine arts and is a member of the International Society of Appraisers; Alan Kasson, from Kasson Jewelers in Southport, been actively engaged in insurance and estate appraising, stone identifying, and evaluation since 1976; Christina Pereiro of Trumbull, specializing in American and European furniture, oriental carpets, jewelry, ceramics, glass, and fine art; and Joseph Kabe, from Joseph Kabe Auctions in Milford, a specialist in American furniture, who will be bringing John Walton, a specialist in military and continental furniture and Noel Thomas, a specialist in glass with him to appraise.

Also participating will be Biuk Fardin Westman, of Fairfield-based Fardin’s Antique Rugs, a second generation carpet weaver, and her husband Michael Westman, who co-own Fardin’s Antique Rugs and have conducted over 600 personal property appraisals in recent years; independent appraiser Jay St Mark of Newtown, who is a specialist in paintings and Early American furniture; and Margaret P. Anderson of Southport, a appraiser with more than 30 years of experience.

Also, Jay Hansen, a founding partner of Hansen & Hansen, the Southport gun dealers who have been in business since 1972 and whose partner, Tom LoPiano, are both appraisers as well as dealers; and Douglas Fedorko of Huntington, who is an expert appraiser specializing in antique clocks and timepieces.

“We truly have Great Expectations for this event and for the opportunities it will provide to make a difference in our state and in the world through our outreach ministry,” said the Rev Nicholas Porter, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. “It’s like our own version of PBS-TV’s Antiques Roadshow but with the proceeds going to recognized charities, and I think the concept will be very popular in this area of Connecticut.”

Great Expectations will be held at Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Avenue in Southport (just off I-95 Exit 19). Luncheon will be served in the nearby Trinity Parish Hall, 651 Pequot Avenue, from 11:30 am to 2 pm. Lunch tickets will be available at the door.

Spectators are welcome as well as those who are looking to have appraisals done on Saturday. Admission to Great Expectations is $10 without an appraisal,                or $30 with one appraisal, and an additional $10 fee for each additional appraisal (maximum of three).

For more information call 203-255-0454 or visit TrinitySouthport.org.