The Fourth Annual Antique Appraisal Fair hosted by the Lady Lake Historical Society on Sunday was considered a big success by all involved. More than 250 people showed up to have appraisals, many with multiple items. As this is a fundraiser for the museum located at Log Cabin Park this was good news; the number far surpassed last year’s attendance.
For a $5 donation, attendees got verbal appraisals from licensed certified appraisers. All of the appraisers were thorough and took their time with each item. A lot of people were looking for the story behind the object as much as wanting to know the value.
There were a few wow moments like for Ann Peel of the Village of Palo Alto. She brought in a heart-shaped pendant not sure whether it was glass or real. The appraiser assured her it was a real diamond, valued at $2,000 or more. But mostly folks got good information and for some a starting point in the process of figuring out the worth of their items.
Steve and Meg Nagy of the Village of Charlotte were there with a portrait painting of his great-grandmother from five generations back probably painted around 1822. The woman in the picture is Charity Cadmus wife of American Revolutionary Lt. Colonel Cadmus. The painting had recently been damaged. With no idea of the value they were looking forward to finding out more and whether it would justify the cost of a proper restoration. They were told that most of the value of a portrait even this old is mostly emotional, valuable only to family members. However, they were pleased to find out that the painting was valued at double what it would cost to restore it.
Cal Campbell of the Village of Country Club Hills had a framed box of pre-civil war army artifacts his father had discovered in Arizona while metal detecting. His guess was a value of $1,000 and he was right on the money. This is the exact price given to him by the appraiser.
One of the more unusual looking pieces at the fair was a turn of the century lamp owned by Sherrie Marks of the Village of Belle Aire. In fact it was so distinct the first thing the appraiser said is, “I want this piece.” He valued it at about $1,200; however, he did not get the piece the lamp went home with Marks.
The appraisers commented that few people were looking to sell, mostly just wanted to get the story behind the piece and verify values either for personal knowledge or insurance purposes.
The Lady Lake Historical Society will use the money earned today for general operating expenses of the museum. They also used the opportunity of so many attendees to get the word out about their current exhibit which focuses on the end of World War II. The museum is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
