The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 10 No. 21 - February 17, 2010

FEATURE

Appraiser draws crowd for Garden Club

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

SUN PHOTOS/TOM VAUGHT Appraiser
Julie McClure (above) shows the
audience an example of American
cut glass as she describes it and
gives an estimate of what
it might be worth.

Julie McClure, who has an appraisal and sales business and writes a column in the Bradenton Herald about antiques and collectibles, held an antique appraisal affair for the Anna Maria Garden Club on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and many people showed up with items ranging from delicate pottery to huge oil paintings taken off the walls of their homes.

There was a three-item limit at the event, held at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Holmes Beach, and most people came with three pieces. Coins, stamps, gemstones, watches and pre-Columbian/ethnic-type items were not allowed and garden club members provided refreshments and snacks.

McClure talked about antiques and collectibles as she went over the items submitted. She had some hints for people who possess items of value.

• If you have a set, don’t break it. A set is worth more than the individual pieces.

• Be careful with ivory. You can purchase it if you can prove that it was made before the national ban on its use for décor and jewelry.

• Items made in occupied Japan (1945-1952) when the United States helped that country recover from World War II, are a novelty if they are identified as such.

• A generation is considered to be 25 years.

A steady stream of people arrived shortly before the appraisal began, and they kept coming throughout the three-hour event. This is the first year that the garden club has held this appraisal affair and it uses the proceeds to help pay for its charity work.


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