It’s time to wipe the dust off forgotten treasures that have been shoved into the back of closets and stored in china cabinets for years.
This weekend, antique lovers will have the opportunity to find out just what their items are worth at the annual Kitsap Antique Show. Vendors and appraisers will be set up at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.
“It’s a big show. There’s some really special things that come through,” said Ruth Reese, appraisal coordinator for the show.
The Kitsap County Historical Society Museum and Puget Sound Genealogical Society is pairing up for the show, and all money raised will benefit the organizations.
For $5, guests may bring in family heirlooms or other collectibles to see what they’re worth. Various appraisers with experience in identifying specific items will be able to speak with the public about items such as toys, dolls, linens, porcelain, glassware and more.
“We have grown so much that we have completely sold out all all the antique vendor spaces this year in the President’s Hall,” said Fran Moyer, Antique Show dealer chairperson. “We have vendors coming from California and Oregon as well as all over Washington.”
While many folks will bring in items like old tablecloths or photos, some bring in more interesting pieces, Reese said.
Like a personal item of President Lincoln. Or a horn chair, made entirely of horns and antlers that was from a Montana hunting lodge.
The horn chair was “so special” and was appraised between $8,000 and $9,000, Reese said.
“It’s a real exciting day because you never know what’s gonna come through the door,” she said. “People bring their treasures, and we unwrap them.”
According to a Kitsap County Historical Society Museum press release, family heirlooms often make it into the hands of appraisers during the event, which has been going on for the last 16 years.
Dorothy Linquist once brought an inherited collection of tea cups and saucers her husband’s grandparents had left behind. Among the set was a pair of lightweight “unusual square teacups and saucers.”
Last year, she took the items to the show only to find the cups to be valued at between $250 and $300 per set, states the press release.
While many visitors get excited about the value of their items, don’t expect to be paid on the site, Reese said.
That practice would “not be kosher,” she said. However, attendees can take the appraiser’s business card and may contact them once the show is over for transactions they may wish to make.
Aside from appraisals, 42 dealers will bring their antique wares for display and purchasing purposes. Everything from books to dolls will be available for antique lovers to purchase.
Attendees will also have the option to sit in on lectures regarding caring for old records and photos, native American baskets and antique collectible jewelry, among other topics, according to the Kitsap Antique Show website.
A food court will be available for attendees to purchase snacks and other meals as well.
If you go:
Presiden’t Hall at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds 1200 NW Fairgrounds Road in Bremerton
April 5 hours: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. April 6 hours: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Admission is $6; appraisal fee per item is $5
Parking is free. www.antiqueshowkitsap.com
