Every month, the North Shore has its own version of “Antiques Roadshow,” a popular PBS series that tells people if Aunt Millie’s old Chinese vase dates back to an important dynasty or if Grandma’s pin came from Tiffany’s.
But instead of traveling around the burbs like “Roadshow” does around the country, the local take is the Gorton Community Center’s Antique Appraisal Days, an all-day program that is held at the community center in Lake Forest on the first Thursday of each month. A $20 fee obtains the expert opinion of Highland Park’s Merrimac Antiques shop owners Mary McLeod and James McGonagle. The Tribune asked McLeod, a restoration artist, and McGonagle, a longtime appraiser and auctioneer, if they have uncovered any treasures and if their program draws like the TV show.
Q. Is your session popular?
McGonagle: When we first started about a year ago, we thought it would be just a morning session. We had about 15 to 20 people. But then people heard about it and started lining up ahead of time. We expanded the hours to all day. And people didn’t mind waiting. Last time, we had about 75 people. We have had to limit people to just a few items (three or fewer) so we can see everyone.
McLeod: We have had people who have come back three times. A lot of people are bewildered by what they have been given or left in an estate. They say, “This was sent to me.” Maybe no one else in the family wanted it. They wonder if it is valuable. Well, you never know.
Q. Are most of the items nice but not valuable?
McGonagle: Not really. People have brought in Tiffany lamps and great bronzes.
McLeod: Someone brought in a beautiful portrait that looked like it was early 19th Century. We are researching it. It’s exquisite. Even the frame was stunning.
Q. Any great discovered-treasure stories?
McLeod: We had a woman who brought in a goblet. She wondered about it because it had beautiful etching. It was signed early 1900s Steuben glass. She had been drinking from it while doing her ironing. She had six left. They are worth about $1,000 apiece.
Q. What if you don’t have an answer or don’t give them an answer they want to hear?
McLeod: We’re not just throwing figures at people. We will tell them if any item needs to be researched, and we try to give them realistic prices.
McGonagle: I had someone come to me with a piece she said she was told was worth $4,000. I placed its value at $2,000. . . . People have to be careful.
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The next Antique Appraisal Days session is 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday. Call Gorton at 847-234-6060 for information.