Appraiser gives her take on local treasures

Ever wondered what that tea set Aunt Millie left years ago is really worth, here's a chance to find out -- at no charge.

Taking a hint from the popularity of "Antiques Roadshow," the public television show that follows antiques fairs across the country, the Antique Sampler Shoppes at 6115 W. Tropicana Ave. has begun offering free appraisals.

Billed as the shoppes' own "Roadshow," the appraisals will be held for two hours each month and tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

At the helm of the venture is Dee Perino. Specializing in appraisals for insurance companies and banking trust departments, she has also conducted numerous appraisal clinics for museums, libraries, historical societies and collector clubs.

Perino was an antiques appraiser for the Illinois Antique Center for 10 years, and has been a member of the Appraisers Association of America since 1972 and the International Society of Appraisers since 1990.

On June 6, the first day of the free appraisal sessions, people arrived as soon as the mall's doors opened, even though the time slot for appraisals was an hour off. The early arrivals were not turned away.

"Everyone has something old in their home and wonders what its value is," Perino said. "Many times they'll bring in wonderful things, treasures I'll (add to the co-sign offerings). It's a win-win situation."

When it comes to big items like china cabinets, she works from a photograph and quizzes owners on all they know about the piece. Perino also sets up appointments and spends most mornings going to people's homes to view furniture and large pieces.

This day, Perino spoke with Mitzi Chadwick, a northwest resident who laughingly said she "broke my neck to make sure I got here on time." An avid collector, she brought in an oil painting on enamel.

Perino pulled out a loop and studied the picture under a strong light. The bronze frame needed slight repair but the picture of a nude was a beautiful piece, made in the late 1800s, she said. She cautiously placed its value at $4,000 but wanted to do more background search.

"But you don't have to know much about art to know this is a treasure," Perino told Chadwick.

Chadwick's 16-year-old granddaughter, Cherish Dessel, brought a Greek vase, depicting Bacchus and the nymphs. Because the mark on the base was added post-glaze stage, Perino said it was probably copied after a museum piece. Its worth: about $500. If the teen sells it...

"I'll probably go on a shopping spree," Dessel said. "I'll buy clothes and shoes."

A couple brought in an ornate train lamp. The two-foot tall dual lamp with extensive scroll work originally used gas or kerosene but had been wired for electricity. Written on it was "May 1890."

Perino checked to make sure it was solid brass by holding a magnet to various parts. Magnets, she told the owners, wouldn't stick to solid brass. Sure enough, the magnet didn't react.

"Railroad collectors will go crazy over this," she told the owners, Robert and Heather Lewis.

The couple, who thought it might bring $1,200, were visibly amazed when Perino said that figure was "way low" and would have her brother, a former Amtrak engineer and expert in railroad antiques, check on its exact worth.

"People would walk into my parents' house and offer them money for this," Heather Lewis said. "Men, especially. Everybody wanted to buy them."

Other people brought Perino old medical supplies, enamel pots, dental tools and sterling perfume bottles to assess.

Michele Demery, drove from the southeast part of town with a hand-stitched book filled with poetry and watercolors. It was given to her five years ago by a 93-year-old lady who told her it was her great-grandfather's and she was hoping it would fetch $100,000.

While Perino can give estimates on most things, she readily admitted this one stumped her. The intricate beading, sewn fabric cover, ribbon binding plus the calligraphy and artwork combined to make it hard to value the piece. She thought it dated from the early 1800s, but told Demery to approach a major auction house for a true estimate.

"An antique (expert) will see only one or two of these in a career," she said. "And even then, it depends on what the market is like out there."

Perino said her best surprise from the free appraisals was a salesman's kit from the Coca Cola company. Clearly marked, it dated to 1949 and contained films and pre-LP records in nearly mint condition. She called two experts to help her appraise the find (they had never seen one and wanted time to research it.) Even so, she expected them to place its value in the thousands of dollars.

For more information on the free appraisals or to obtain tickets, call 368-1170.