|
Everything, anything shown at roadshow
|
Arthur Clausen, right, appraises Rose Lizee’s gold-plated tea set at
approximately $1,000, which she is pleased with. Sitting across from
Clausen is his grandson, Bradley Clausen
|
|
Jen Laderoute of Gift Lake brought her Princess of Wales porcelain
wedding doll to determine if it has gone up or down since she purchased
it for $350 in 1982. Clausen could not give a specific value.
|
|
Arthur Clausen appraised the chair at $150-200 for Ann Stewart,
which belongs to her son, Verne Stewart. The chair originates
to the late 1850s and was made by “Uncle Pres” Mosley.
|
|
Marylene Karpa learned her tea set is valued at $200, the Bible
$25 and the musical nun $25. The large plate is valued at $20,
pattern books $75 and her friend’s porcelain wedding doll $75.
|
Mac Olsen
South Peace News
For some people, determining the exact value and history of family antiques and collections may not be possible, but getting them appraised has its own reward.
People from High Prairie, the Lesser Slave Lake and Peace River regions converged at the Royal Canadian Legion for the second ‘For What It’s Worth Antiques and Collectibles Road Show’ April 3-4. The High Prairie Municipal Library held the event and invited Arthur Clausen, owner of Arthur Clausen & Sons Auctioneers in Edmonton, as the appraiser.
George Gross brought a Catholic crucifix, a berry pounder and two hide scrapers. Gross wanted to learn about the history of the crucifix. Clausen appraised it between $200-$300 and told him it was homemade.
“I didn’t think the crucifix was worth a whole lot of money,” says Gross. “He said it was used for a mass, confirming the family history.”
Gross also explained the berry pounder was created out of a small willow tree branch tied into a knot when an Aboriginal girl was born. When the girl grew up and married, the branch was cut down and presented as a wedding gift to her.
As for the scrapers, including one made from an animal bone, they are tools she used for skinning animals. Clausen appraised the berry pounder and scrapers between $500 and $1,000.
Marylene Karpa of Kinuso brought a tea set she inherited from her mother. She also brought a Bible her husband, John Karpa, received from his parents on his first birthday, as well as a musical nun given to him by his great-grandmother.
“It’s very unique to find that stuff,” she says. “A lot of our stuff was handed down from our parents and grandparents, so it’s more sentimental.”
The tea set is valued at $200, the Bible $25 and the musical nun $25. Other items she brought include a large plate valued at $20, pattern books $75 and her friend’s porcelain wedding doll $75.
Rose Lizee brought her gold plated tea set and learned it is valued at approximately $1,000.
“I was satisfied,” says Lizee. “It’s interesting.”
She would like to bring other items to any future roadshow events in High Prairie. She enjoys watching the ‘Canadian Antiques Roadshow’ and British ‘Antiques Roadshow’.
Clausen has 30 years of experience and finds many commonalities in antiques and collections. For example, he sees silver plate flatware like Royal Winton at many auctions.
“We look for the best of the best and like everything else, you don’t always find it,” says Clausen. “We look for things that have a cache of their own, then you can go ahead and market it on the strength of that.”
Trying to market something which does not have a track record is tough, he adds.
Clausen thinks of his profession as an avocation and not a vocation.
“It’s the enjoyment, it’s certainly not the money,” he says. “It’s my way of giving back to the community and I get great pleasure from that.”
The two-day event drew 52 people with Clausen examining 107 items. Simone Blacha, a member of the library board, is pleased with the turnout.
“This was a community event for the library and we were quite happy,” says Blacha.
She also says another event could be held in 2011. Clausen has given the board some ideas next time they host the roadshow.
Copyright © 1999-2009 South Peace News. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.
View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster
|
