Find out what it's worth at LMMM's Antiques Appraisal Weekend

By Rita Papazian

Kevin McClellan didn’t hesitate in accepting the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s invitation to be part of its upcoming Antiques Appraisal Weekend, Oct. 2 and 3.

As head of his own appraisal valuation company, McClellan enjoys offering his expertise at the annual fundraiser to support this national historic landmark, which he calls one of this nation’s “jewels.”

Just like the hundreds of people who bring their antiques and collectibles to the mansion, McClellan, a Norwalk native who recently moved to Darien, gets caught up in the excitement and anticipation that come with the appraisal process.

Last year’s event did not disappoint in excitement as McClellan recalled during a recent interview the joy he brought to two people who had sat waiting their turn in the mansion’s grand rotunda before their number was called to meet with one of the many distinguished appraisers.

McClellan appraised an early 17th century English tankard ( a tall drinking cup) at $10,000 and a pair of French bronze models of the “Marley” horses, 24 inches in size, at $5,000. They were sculpted after the full-size “Marley Horse” sculptures by Guillaume Coustou (French 1677-1746) outside the Louvre.

McClellan, who begins his appraisal by talking with the owner to learn as much as he can about the antique or collectible, then shares his own knowledge with the owner. Then he will suggest the value he would place on the item. He then photographs the antique or collectible so that he can follow-up with additional research to fine tune his appraisal.

“I want to be fair to people not a sideshow barker. This is serious business. It takes a lot of time,” McClellan said.

The owner of the Marley horses had brought in one of the sculptures in the pair—it was of a man and a horse. Later, in researching the sculptures McClellan found photographs of the pair, showing the other in the pair to be a sculpture of two horses. Thus, he was able to verify his appraisal. He sent along the photographs to the sculpture’s owner but he never heard back.

McClellan, who founded his company, Kevin McClellan Appraiser and Auctioneer in 1983, emphasized that he will never offer to purchase the antique or collectible when someone comes to him for an appraisal because he feels to do so could only compromise his work in presenting an accurate appraisal value.

Aside from giving people an opportunity to finally find out how much an antique or collectible is worth, McClellan joins mansion officials in viewing the fundraiser as an opportunity to show off the mansion.

Many people who come to Antiques Appraisal Weekend have never stepped into the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum before. While sitting waiting their turn to meet with an appraisal museum officials enjoy taking the opportunity to share a little history with visitors as they point out some of the distinctive architectural features.

McClellan recalls his first introduction to the mansion was as a child when he and his friends would go sledding down a nearby hill. Later, he said they would seize any opportunity to step into the mansion, walk up its grand staircase and explore its many rooms.

“You can’t touch a place like this today,” McClellan said. “Anything we can do to promote this place.”

Sheldon Gerarden, the mansion’s president and executive director, agrees. He believes the Antiques Appraisal Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to open the doors to visitors, especially those who may be coming to the mansion for the first time. He also believes the mansion is doing a service for people “to find out what those items they have been saving are really worth.”

Experts will be appraising a wide variety of antiques and collectibles including jewelry, watches, silver, fine art, furniture, books and documents, coins, pottery, china, sports memorabilia and toys among others.

Antiques Appraisal Weekend is co-chaired by LMMM trustee Joe Passero, chairman of Klaff’s, the nationally recognized home design center based in South Norwalk, and LMMM trustee and interior designer Linda Fontaine of Weston.

“People really enjoy this,” said Gerarden of the event.

He noted that with the current state of the economy, people enjoy finding out what their antiques and collectibles are worth, especially if they are looking to sell them for some extra cash.

The mansion’s deputy director Susan Gilgore estimates that 1,500 people attended the event last year. She anticipates the response should be as great during the course of the upcoming two days.

Coin dealer Richard Murawski will join the many returning appraisers at this year’s event, Gilgore said. Owner of Coin & Collectibles Shop in Watertown, his primary activity is buying and selling U.S. and foreign coins, including gold and silver coins. In addition, his shop features sports memorabilia, baseball cards, comic books and antique toys.

Muraski is president of the Litchfield County Coin Club and a member of the American and Canadian Numismatic associations. His latest project was the classification and sale of more than 1,700 two cent pieces belonging to one client.

Gilgore touted the mansion’s success with the weekend in bringing together “in one setting the top experts in their field to evaluate your antiques and collectibles. ”

With the success of such TV shows as PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow,” “Pawn Stars” and “American Pickers,” people are looking a little more closely at their possessions, she said.

As another example of surprises that came out of last year’s appraisal weekend, Gilgore cited an appraisal by Christine Downing of C. Downing Auctions of a rare Art Nouveau Galle vase whose owner had survived the Holocaust. It was appraised between $15,000 and $20,000.

Downing, who will be returning this year to appraise antiques and collectibles, has appeared on HGTV’s hit show “Cash in the Attic” and on HGTV’s satellite radio station, sharing her expertise in the field of antiques and collectibles.

In addition to joining the appraisal team next weekend, Downing is working with mansion officials in the planning of an upcoming auction.

Gilgore explained that with the popularity of the Antiques Appraisal Weekend, many people have expressed interest in the mansion hosting an auction. Gilgore noted that often when individuals learn the value of something they own, their next question is “How can I sell it?”

The Antiques Appraisal Weekend is sponsored by Klaff’s and People’s Bank and will feature several leading appraisers and auction houses who will be donating their time and expertise to the mansion fundraiser. The experts include: Betteridge Jewelers’ CFO and Director of the Watch Group Mike Manjos, along with director of estate jewelry Simon Teakle and senior sales professional, Warren Lagerloef; Braswell Galleries’ Rick Dailey; Downing; Jan Lee, owner of Sinotique, N.Y.; Gil Rodriguez, owner of Gilann Books of Darien; Skip Rooney, owner of Golf-Art/Gallery in Ridgefield; Evelyn Phillips, dealer and collector of antique dolls; Terry Eletheriou, who specializes in Japanese swords, art, metalwork, lacquer, Satsuma, porcelain and cloisonne; and Peter Curran of Wilton, a longtime member of the Appraisers Association of America, among others.

Appraisals will range from $20 for a small or medium size item, to $40 for large antiques such as furniture, (maximum of three appraisals). One free $20 appraisal will be available for anyone who will become a new member of the Mansion, (an annual individual membership is $35). All proceeds will benefit the LMMM.

Antiques Appraisal Weekend is slated Oct. 2 and 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave., Norwalk. For a complete list of appraisers and information on their schedule at the Mansion please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com. The museum will be closed for tours on both days of appraisals.