Photos: What's It Worth?
Warrenbrook Senior Center fundraiser attracts wide assortment of objects.
Warren resident Doug Reeder, a professional antiques dealer, appraiser and owner of Somerset Hills Estate Services, was able to quickly identify most of the 40 or so items brought in for Monday's antiques appraisal event at Warrenbrook Senior Center.
But every now and then, something stumped him a bit—for example, a family heirloom 13-star American flag Reeder thought just might be an original battle flag from the Revolutionary War.
"This is something that if anyone tells you they can appraise it—and they're not a flag expert—call them a liar," Reeder said. He then recommended a place to find the right experts: Rutgers University History Department.
About 16 people brought items in for the appraisals, which Reeder donated his time to do the appraisals, plus members of the center's staff. Many of the items were collectables from the 1920s to the 1950s, ranging up to several hundred dollars, but every now and then, someone would bring up a special item.
Josephine Collura had a couple of things that drew Reeder's interest: a wooden model boat converted to a nightlight he estimated was about 90 years old, and an art deco tricycle that he said could be worth as much as $600, if restored.
"I have another tricycle at home, and a scooter with a stand," Collura said.
She said she wasn't too surprised to learn the values of the items, except for a couple of things that turned out to be far more—or far less—valuable than she expected. "You never know," she said.
Some people showed photos of items for Reeder to offer a general value or even just a bit of information about; furniture, the 13-star flag, and the day's high point, a "palace-sized" Oriental rug from sometime between 195 and 1925 Reeder said could be worth as much as $15,000.
Warrenbrook Director Gwen Chalker said the center's first antique event worked out well, not only from the standpoint of residents' interest but also as a fundraiser to help fund activities at the center. At $3 per item appraised (or two for $5), nearly $200 was collected for the center's activity fund.
