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  • February 5, 2012

Treasure or junk? Dunwoody gets a comedic lesson - Dunwoody Crier: News

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Treasure or junk? Dunwoody gets a comedic lesson

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Posted: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:54 am | Updated: 10:56 am, Tue Jan 31, 2012.

Treasure trove uncovered or simple sentiment? The antiques, collectibles and what-nots that arrived with guests at last week’s donor party ran the gamut, but many found their sentiments greatly enhanced when they learned the historical significance and market value of their treasures.

Donors to the Dunwoody Preservation Trust in 2011 were invited to last week’s wine and cheese reception held at the Stage Door Players’ theater.  Special guest, Dr. Lori Verderame, an arts and antiques appraiser, was donning archival cotton gloves as guests arrived with their treasures and placed them on tables for her review. 

Most knew little about the items they brought: “This was in my grandmother’s house for as long as I can remember.” “I bought this at a tag sale, but I’m not sure what it is.” “I found this in the attic of my childhood home.” “I picked this up while traveling in Asia. The dealer told me it was quite old.”

But Dr. Lori, who appraises more than 20,000 items each year via private events, in-home appraisals, television appearances and even her own antiques-themed cruises, had a story for each item. What’s more, it didn’t take long for guests to learn why she calls her appearances, “The Dr. Lori Antique Appraisals and Comedy Show.”

Her interactive exchanges with each item’s owner quickly warmed the crowd to her surprising style and had audience members unsure if they were more impressed with Dr. Lori’s knowledge of antiques or her uncanny knack for remembering their names and their stories. A rather gruff demeanor as she assessed the items before the show, quickly gave way to cleverness that once on stage, never faltered.  Dr. Lori had guests laughing throughout the two-hour show, and many of the night’s best lines came right from the audience.

Mary Millar is a fan of American primitive antiques, so she and husband Fran, Dunwoody’s state senator, brought a pewter tea set that she purchased nearly 25 years ago. The teapot, creamer and sugar bowl are stamped with a “Poole’s Pewter, Taunton, Mass.,” mark at the bottom. Dr. Lori quickly placed its origin to the late 1800s or early 1900s and assessed its value between $1,750 and $2,000.

“You didn’t pay that much, did you?” Millar asked his wife. He was quite satisfied when she assured him that she had not.

A wooden clown marionette brought by Crier columnist Valerie Biggerstaff was identified early 20th century Italy and valued at $140. A set of brass pheasants that were thought to be wine decanters, turned out to be inkwells. Some of Judy Kane’s ancestors were in the printing business and she brought a page from a book printed in the 1500s with glass on both sides. Per Dr. Lori’s assessment, it was indeed the original, though value of the nearly 500-year-old document would yield limited monetary value as its content held little public interest. A hand painted sugar shaker was valued at $200 and a mother-of-pearl cardholder at $250.

The evening’s highest priced treasures came from either side of the Mason-Dixon line.

Cliff Barlow brought the Confederate cavalry sword he bought in 1983 for $750. Made from crude steel, the brass-hilted knuckle guard has an oilcloth grip bound that is bound with iron wire. The saber was appraised nearly 10 years ago for $8,500 and traced to a foundry in Columbus, Ga., but Barlow suspected its value might have increased since that time. Indeed, Dr. Lori appraised the sword, which is now on loan to a museum, at $12,000.

A member of the 13th Regiment out of Vermont, Justin Converse, great-great-grandfather of Don Converse, had saved his letter of release from the Union Army. The letter was dated July 21, 1863, less than three weeks after he and members of his volunteer infantry from Vermont fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. Like many of the antiques appraised, provenance — personal ties to the origin — played into Dr. Lori’s appraisal. She placed Converse’s original framed letter and photo of his grandfather in uniform with a value at $7,500 but offered that pieces such as his have sold as high as $12,000 because of the owner’s provenance to its original recipient.

Likewise, the 1836 needlework sampler that had been created by Dick Drake’s great grandmother, Sara Mae (Sally) Foote when she was just 12. Dick and his wife Marie have treasured the sampler that is divided into three sections with traditional alphabets and numerals at the top, a two-story house with flowers and trees in the center, and a poem at the bottom that reads: This I have done, That you may see, What care my parents, take of me.” Her name and date is at the bottom.

The Drakes were surprised to hear Dr. Lori appraisal of the 175-year-old sampler at up to $5,000. Again, provenance was in part to thank.

While others left with less lucrative assessments, all left racking their brains for other items they might unearth from their trunks and their attics before Dr. Lori’s next visit they will be sure not to miss.

Dr. Lori has appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and is now starring on the Discovery Channel’s “Auction Kings.” The show airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m.


© 2012 Dunwoody Crier. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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