"What’s It Worth” appraisal event in Pomfret

It was just before 9:00 a.m. on a bright Saturday morning and the cars were already parked beyond the lot of the Strong Field House and all along the side of the road within the property of Pomfret School. People hauled in bags and cardboard boxes stuffed with newspaper to cushion their treasures. A few others balanced oversized picture frames holding fine art carefully wrapped in towels.

Yesterday’s event was the 2nd annual “What’s It Worth” appraisal fair where for $5 per item, people came to find out if their antique, fine art, or collectible might possibly be valuable.


Held coincidentally on the same day Hartford hosted The Antiques Road Show, Pomfret’s event allowed for walk-in traffic.

According to Louisa Jones who helped organize the event, by opening time they already had 40 people assigned numbers. At last year’s event over 300 items were appraised and it ran 2 hours past ending time. This year, to alleviate the waiting, people were allowed to register an hour prior to the actual opening and seating was provided.

With various local businesses showcasing their wares, the event also offered an opportunity to experience the products and services that make Pomfret special.

Food from the local Lions Club was sold as well.

Michael Grogran of Grogan & Company Auctioneers in Dedham, Mass., whose son is a student at Pomfret School, handled the actual appraisals. Three employees of the company lent assistance, each with a specific area of expertise.

Michael Grogan speaks with Susan Parrow of Hampton.
She received an appraisal on some silver coins. Her $1 coins were appraised at $10 each.

Eva Aubert and Dawn Abelin from Chaplin brought in a most unusual item, a Captain’s Whaling Log from New Bedford. Excited to the point of near-tears, the mother and daughter duo were given an approximate value of $5,000 for the book. They hadn’t told the appraiser that it was previously appraised at $35, 000 elsewhere. Still, they were quite excited.

Charlie and Paige Combs of Pomfret brought in a few items, including an antique chair. They were given an approximate value of $300 to $400 given that the legs had been shortened. Otherwise, it could have been much higher. Another item they had appraised was a small blue book — Hanley’s Baseball Rules from 1867.

Not being an expert in sports memorabilia, Bob Carrol of Grogan & Company wasn’t sure of an actual value. However, during the appraisal, he elaborated, saying, “If I were at a yard sale, I wouldn’t hesitate to pay $500 for it.”

The couple was given a wide rage of possible values on the book.

Carrol continued, “At a local auction, it might bring $150 and you’d be happy for that, but given the right situation, perhaps at a sports collector auction, it could realize as much as $7,500”.

The appraisal event benefits The Pomfret Proprietors Scholarship Fund.

Suzanne Ranhoff of Pomfret brought in a Russian icon for which she was given a verbal appraisal of $500.


And...

Failee Latawick and her husband, John Bergeron of East Windsor brought in a mourning portrait of John’s great-great grandmother that had been in their family for generations. Although beautiful, it was valued at just $100.

And...

Bevely Bostwick of Thompson had perhaps the most unusual item
— a crucifix in a bottle — that is approximately 110 years old and valued at $100.



See my article on this event on NorwichBulletin.com.

What's It Worth? Treasured items given their due

There is also an online photo gallery there!

PHOTO GALLERY: Pomfret Proprietor’s 2nd Annual “What’s It Worth?” appraisal event

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