Antique appraisals raise money for local societies

Calling all knick-knacks, whatchamacallits and thingymajigs! Something old and wonderful sitting in your basement? The Puget Sound Genealogical Society and the Kitsap Historical Society want to help you find the treasure sitting in your home.

The organizations are hosting their sixth annual Appraisal Fair October 6, where individuals can bring in furniture, jewelry and toys to find out if they’ve been sitting on a gold mine — “You mean it’s a Tiffany?” — or a coal mine — “So this junk really is just junk?”

Appraisers from all over western Washington will give verbal appraisals for items such as art, watches, clocks, silver, china, paintings, futniture, jewelry, glassware, pottery, dolls, toys and other antiques.

Genealogical Society Member Sandie Morrison said the event brings many interesting objects to look at, even for those not participating in appraisal activities. In previous years she has seen a collection of art-deco shoes and a cannonball someone thought came from the civil war.

“We have had so many unusual things through the years,” Morrison said, unable to pick out one stand-out item. “There’s just so many things.”

The event is one of the Genealogical Society’s major fund-raisers of the year, providing revenue for overhead costs such as rent and bills.

The event takes place Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Givens Community Center at 1026 Sidney Avenue.

The appraisal fees run $7 per item, or $30 for five items.

For items to large or heavy to carry, being photographs. The organizer’s ask that no weapons be brought for appraisal.

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