Antiques and Appraisal Events

Since 2008, the Huble Homestead / Giscome Portage Heritage Society has engaged appraiser Ted Pappas for antique appraisal events in Prince George. From 2008 to 2010, the events were held at the Huble Homestead Historic Site in June, but in 2011 the event was moved into Art Space in Prince George to celebrate BC Heritage Week in February. These events are fundraisers for the Huble Homestead Historic Site; each appraisal costs $10, which stays with the Society and is put toward maintenance and operations at the historic site. Ted does not receive a portion of this ticket price – he charges the Society a very modest fee that is paid separately, so you can be sure that the Society is the beneficiary of your support.

The 2011 event, held on February 26 & 27, was very popular, despite the snowy weather! The event will be held again in February of 2012, and we’ll need you to bring your treasures out! Tickets are available at the door only, and are first come, first served. Since we can’t offer times, be prepared to wait, possibly for a few hours. The event is modeled slightly after Antiques Roadshow: spectators are welcome to sit and watch as Ted discusses the items brought by others. When your ticket numbers are next, you will be asked to move near the front and prepare your items for Ted to appraise.

Most of the appraisals Ted does at this event are for people who are curious about their items – what it is, and what it’s worth at auction or for insurance purposes. If you are considering selling, remember that the market value of an item is really dependent on how desirable a collectible it is to others. If you know you require, or feel that you might require, a written appraisal for insurance purposes, ask during your turn. If you only have one item to appraise, the written assessment may be an extra charge ($10).

Ted has 40 years’ experience in the auction business in Vancouver and has appraised millions of items through out his career. Now semi-retired, he has a personal family connection to Huble Homestead and the Society is always delighted to welcome him back to Prince George. Ted’s special expertise lies in artwork, jewelry, and First Nations artifacts, but he can appraise almost any item that you bring in, or get you in touch with people who can. View the video below to get an idea of how an appraisal at the event occurs. Here he evaluates an antique phonograph:

This event is held once a year. For anyone who has an extensive collection at home, Ted will do a house visit. If you feel you require Ted to visit your home, contact the Society to leave your name, number, and address, and we will contact you when Ted is back in town to set up an appointment. The cost of a house visit is $100 per hour; an average home can be appraised in approximately an hour. Half of this cost will come to the Society.

Preserving your family’s history:

Sometimes an item brought in is worth very little, or less than a person paid for it. Don’t be disappointed – there is always sentimental value. Many people, even after finding out their item is valuable, are not interested in selling their items because of the sentimental value it holds. All items have value when there are special memories attached to them. A common theme with the appraisals we see at these events are items passed down through a family whose stories have been lost. Ted suggests that you write as much of the story of an item down and attach it to the item (or store it with the item). For example, write on the back of a framed painting or print where you got it, the story you were told then, and anything you learn from your appraisal or own research. If a painting was created by a person you know, attach a photo too. Not only does this help keep an object’s information together (and handy for insurance and sale purposes), but it also ensures safekeeping of items that will be passed on to someone else in future. An item of yours that is one day passed to your grandchild will have value to them by virtue of it having been yours, but to pass on an item with the history and memories attached will mean that much more, even if the item has little or no sale value.

A great way to keep track of your precious antiques, and any of the items you insure, is to create a journal or files detailing everything you know about the object.

Where you got it
Who you got it from – keep dated receipts if you purchased the item, and any pertinent documents that were included with the item.
Letters, photos, or clippings relating to the object, especially those that could help prove ownership of the item.
Any written appraisals done on the item.
Reports detailing the date, scope, and cost of any repairs or restoration. Keep back ups of this information as well: hard copies in a fire proof safe or off site safety deposit box, and digital back ups in case something happens to your computer.

Now that you know what your item is and how much it’s worth, you may like to know how to insure them. We have compiled some information that can help guide you when choosing an insurance policy to cover your antiques and collectibles: Insuring your Antiques.

You probably also want to know how to care for and protect your items. The best way to help protect your antiques from damage over time is to follow a few simple rules when displaying, storing, cleaning, and handling the variety of items you may own:

You can also check our tip sheets for specific types of antiques:

You can find more information on these types of items and many more at Preserving My Heritage. Some of the supplies noted in the tip sheets can be purchased through Bury Media.