On Saturday, June 14, supporters of NPT in search of appraisal gold gathered at the Factory in Franklin for NPT’s 5th Antiques and Fine Arts Appraisal Day. Over a dozen local and regional appraisers were on hand to meet more than 300 registered attendees who brought in books, jewelry, prints, furniture, guitars, pop culture memorabilia and more. In addition to the success for the station — we raised nearly $30,000, almost doubling our fundraising goal — the day was a win for many of the attendees and appraisers.
“It was great a day for everyone involved — the appraisers, the guests and NPT,” said the event’s organizer Sheila Fischer, NPT Corporate & Community Development Manager. “Everyone had fun looking at each others’ items and guessing their value and authenticity. Even those folks that didn’t walk away with the jackpot were happy to have participated. It was a pleasure, too, to work with the Factory and hold the event at Jamison Hall, which provided the perfect backdrop for the day.”
Mike Cotter of Yeoman’s in the Fork, who said he saw better stuff this year than in previous years, was excited by several items that came into Jamison Hall. Among them was a 1611 copy of the New Testament published by Robert Barker, who also published the 1611 King James Bible. It was the first one he had actually seen and was hesitant to put a value on it without further inspection, but said it would be quite a bit. Cotter was also thrilled to have an attendee bring in an 1885, deluxe leather, first edition of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which Cotter appraised at least $10,000.
“He told me his granddaddy won it in a poker game,” Cotter said. “It came in a barrel of books.” Cotter also appraised a promo photo signed by all four Beatles for $15,000, and a set of individual Beatles photos, also signed, at $5,000 each.
Berenice Denton, of Berenice Denton Estate Sales & Appraisals, had the hall buzzing when she appraised an early 1930’s baseball signed by Babe Ruth. Everything about it was authentic, according to Denton, down to the multicolor period stitching on the ball. Her appraisal valued the ball at around $20,000.
Not to be outdone, Rick Crane of Estate Antiques in Knoxville had art lovers clamoring for a look at the two white plaques made by Pablo Picasso that he appraised for $15,000-$20,000 each. Crane was also the happy appraiser of two Sanborn Mexican Candle sticks that he valued at $3,000 each.
This being the Nashville area, it was no surprise that George Gruhn of Gruhn Guitars had his hands busy all day playing and appraising instruments, including a 1952 Martin guitar he valued at $15,000
Joe Rosson of Art & Antique Appraisals by Joe Rossen also had a couple of exciting discoveries. He valued a hand painted 1807 Pennsylvania Dutch Baptismal Certificate at $2,500 and a 1930 Steiff Mickey Mouse, with its tags, in perfect condition for $3,000 at auction.
Perhaps the biggest score of the event was by Mike Walton and his daughter Julie Walton of Walton’s Antique Jewelry in Franklin, who appraised a vintage 8 carat diamond ring made by Harry Winston valued at $250,000.
Other appriasers at the event included John Case of Case Antiques Inc. Auctions & Appraisals, Knoxville office, Sarah Campbell of Case Antiques Inc. Auctions & Appraisals, Nashville office, Carrie Gough of Veritas Fine Art Appraisals & Consulting, LLC, in Chicago, Mike Mouret of Nashville Coin & Currency, Inc. in Nashville, Sam Holden of Pickle Road Appraisers in Nashville, S.D. (Robin) Sinclair, Ph.D. of Sinclair Appraisals in Nashville, and J.T. Thompson of Lotz House in Franklin.
The sponsor for the event was Crosslin and Associates, PC. Business supporters were Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, Stoveworks Restaurant and Catering in Franklin, The Factory in Franklin and Bongo Java Roasting Company”
Thanks to everyone who came out!
NPT’s next Antiques and Fine Arts Appraisal Day will be held in June, 2015 at the Factory in Franklin. Keep an eye on our website for details.
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