Antique fair attracts all sorts

La Crosse Tribune, Feb 17, 2002 by Krotz, David

CENTERVILLE, Wis. - Old things represent value to people. That's why they save them in cupboards, closets, basements and garages.

A whole lot of those squirreled away items came to light Saturday at the second annual Antique Appraisal Fair held at the Centerville Community Center.

Like "The Antiques Road Show" that is so popular on public television, the event attracted people with every sort of old and collectible item. The question on all of their minds was, "How much is it worth?"

Butch Kulas of Bluff Siding brought a 100-year-old child's cane-seat rocking chair that he bought in the 1970s for about $40. He was delighted to learn it was worth $300 today.

Kulas' parents gave him a baseball signed by former Milwaukee Braves third basemen Eddie Mathews. It was appraised at $200.

A hefty school handbell bought at auction in Winona in the early 1980s was the third item Kulas' brought for appraisal. It cost $65 then and is worth $200 now.

Thirteen regional antique dealers and collectors volunteered their time to serve as experts at the Trempealeau County Historical Museum Board of Trustees fundraiser.

The museum board is only 3 years old and it has been planning events that appeal to everybody in the county.

"It's a way to enhance awareness of things historical, to keep awareness within the county of ourselves," said George Brandt, chairman of the board of trustees and vice chairman of the Trempealeau County Board.

Since funding is tight for the new organization, Brandt said it is striving to assist existing historical groups in cities, villages and towns of the county.

Those same groups were invited to the Saturday event and many of them had personal collectibles appraised.

"Now, I see them at tables talking, sharing ideas and projects," Brandt said.

"There won't be enough money for a museum for years," said Lynda Byrne, another museum board member.

"We thought it would be better to help other groups now and we'd be doing our job. The people are getting the benefit, and everybody is having a good time," she said.

One of those people was Marge Severson of Centerville, who came in her wheelchair with a box of glassware.

"I was thrilled," she said, upon learning that her cut glass crystal bowl was worth $850 to $950. "They made my day. My kids have been calling this stuff junk."

A survey of the room revealed people with old post card collections, a bag of marbles, a gold gilt dish, a coin pattern, pedestal cake plate and a cast iron waffle maker, suitable for use on a wood-burning stove.

Bob and Kristin Little of Independence made three trips to the show, hauling different items to be appraised. A porcelain wool brush was valued at $150, and Kristin Little got hooked. On her third visit, she learned a wood and rippled glass washboard would bring $30.

Bob Little whipped a small, wood-handled pipe wrench out of his pocket and said it was worth $75.

Appraiser Tony Wagner, who operates Days Gone By in the Tomah Mail, said the most valuable item he appraised all day was a Chein ferris wheel valued at $400.

Philip Jensen of Galesville also worked behind an appraiser's table with the assistance of a stack of reference books about antiques. The most impressive items he saw was a family collection of oil paintings of ancestors from France and a portrait of a Civil War soldier in uniform.

"I was afraid to put a value on them. Thousands, for sure," Jensen said. "I told him to go to Sotheby's in Chicago."