Are you curious to know what your heirloom is worth? Do you enjoy shows like “Antiques Roadshow”? If you answered yes to either of these questions, read on.
The Lawton Memorial Library of La Farge will present an antiques and collectibles appraisal event featuring author and antiques expert Mark Moran of Iola, Wis., Feb. 9, from 1-4 p.m. at the La Farge Community Center, 202 N. State St.
Formerly senior editor of Antiques and Collectibles Books for Krause Publications in Iola, he has also been a contributing editor for “Antique Trader” magazine. He has served as editor of “Antique Review East “magazine; as producer of Atlantique City, an antique show held in Atlantic City, N.J.; and as editorial director of F+W Media’s Antiques Group.
He is the author or co-author of more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles, including three editions of the 800-page annual “Warman’s Antiques & Collectibles.”
Moran bought and sold antiques for more than 30 years, specializing in vintage folk art, Americana, and fine art. He has been active as an appraiser of antiques and fine art for more than 20 years, and is a guest expert on the popular PBS series, “Antiques Roadshow.”
Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling or visiting Lawton Memorial Library (608-625-2015). The cost of an appraisal is $15 per item; paid in advance of the event (a portion of each fee will benefit the Lawton Memorial Library Expansion Fund).
Categories of objects for appraisal may include:
• Fine art, including paintings, drawings, prints and statuary.
• Furniture (usually smaller pieces are best).
• Ceramics, including figural pottery, vases, dishes, kitchenware and stoneware.
• Glassware, including lighting, marbles and souvenir items.
• Vintage photographs, including snapshots, tintypes, ambrotypes and daguerreotypes.
• Advertising, including posters, lithographed tin, paper and figural objects.
• Folk art, including carvings, quilts, weathervanes, windmill weights and “outsider” art.
• Assorted toys, including dolls (bisque, composition and plastic), windups and mechanical banks.
• Metalware, including iron, bronze, brass, pot metal, silver, silver plate.
• Clocks, including mantel, hanging and figural.
• Costume jewelry, including brooches, bracelets, earrings.
Excluded items: All weapons, including swords and knives (though folding knives with advertising are accepted); coins and paper money; Beanie Babies; fine jewelry, including precious gems.
Questions about objects not covered here can be submitted to Moran in advance to determine if they are appropriate.
Suggested categories for advance inquiry include, but are not limited to: Oriental, Native American and other tribal objects (African, Oceanic); ancient artifacts (Egyptian and other early cultures); fossils and minerals; books; automotive items; nautical and military-related objects; sports memorabilia (including baseball cards); records; antique tools and technological objects (typewriters, cameras, assorted machinery or instruments for scientific measure, like sextants, telescopes, microscopes, etc.). When in doubt, email inquiry can often address this.
Opinions of value are informal, and may not be used for insurance or charitable donations, which require a certified appraisal.
For more information, contact: Mark F. Moran Appraisals of Antiques & Fine Art, N7326 Maple Ridge Trail, Iola, Wis. 54945, phone 715-281-5060 or email moranm1953@gmail.com
Visit Moran on the Web: http://mark-moran.blogspot.com/ or http://facebook.com/Markfmoran
