Clark County event draws about 6,500 seeking details on items
Appraiser Don Jensen studied the mandolin and gave John and Bonnie Taylor of Brush Prairie its assumed history.
It was probably built in Greece in the 1920s, he said on Sunday, and is actually known as a baglama.
Its worth: $300 to $350.
“This is something fun to find out,” Bonnie Taylor said.
“It belonged to my dad,” John Taylor said. “Back in those days, he had a dance band and he played the mandolin and the fiddle and he sang. I can remember him playing it. I’ve been interested in it (the instrument) for years.”
So will the Taylors cash in?
“No sale.” Bonnie Taylor said. “It’s a family heirloom.”
Jensen, the appraiser, is no slouch. He appeared on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” for seven years in the 1990s. A retired Navy captain, the 81-year-old Edmonds resident still serves as an appraiser. He was one of several who helped people learn about prized possessions at last weekend’s Clark County Antiques and Collectible Show.
Appraiser Karen Stockton of Bend, Ore., said 700 to 800 items were appraised at the show. Each person paid $5 for the appraisal.
In his business, Jensen said, “You learn to be very tactful. … They bring in what they think is a treasure, and it’s not.”
But he said people appreciate being educated by the appraisers.
Jensen said he did find one treasure at the show. An original hand-colored engraving. “It was a beautiful classic, sort of the Audubon genre (birds) and dates to 1790.” He told the owner it was valued at $800.
About 6,500 people on Saturday and Sunday examined the wares at 400 booths in the Exhibition Hall of the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. Christine Palmer, owner of the event, called it a “passion show.”
“It’s an emotional show. People come to rebuy their childhood,” she said.
Bob Denny of Hazel Dell said sales have been down for a while but was satisfied with the business he did at the vintage toy booth he runs with wife Nancy. He specializes in toy soldiers.
Will a collector really pay $45 for a tiny Grey Iron toy of Hopalong Cassidy?
“Yes they will,” Denny said confidently.
He said a retired doctor paid $200 for a Japanese toy soldier in authentic uniform built prior to World War II by the Barclay Company. The figure had been priced at $250 but Denny said he cut the doctor a good price because he is a regular customer.
“He did not have that figure. Barclay made at least 200 toy soldiers and it was in excellent condition,” Denny said.
Denny, a retired civil engineer for the Bonneville Power Administration, noted that Barclay stopped making Japanese toy soldiers when World War II broke out.
Denny seemed OK with $1,200 of sales at the weekend show, but noted his booth cost $500. He was hoping a collector would buy figures of four Boy Scouts priced at $90 (Scout holding flag), $95 (Scout saluting), $140 (Scout with walking stick) and $185 (Scout cooking).
Memorabilia ruled at the show. One booth offered a red metal sign, two-feet wide and a foot tall, that read: “Dollar for Dollar Value WHIPPET Product of Willy-Overland Company.” Price: $225.
Clark County Historical Museum’s booth stayed busy all show, said Karen Washabaugh, visitor service coordinator.
Washabaugh said having the booth was a boon to the museum.
“It is amazing how many people come up to us and say, ‘Now, where did you say you’re located? Oh, you’re in the building (1511 Main St.) where Eva Santee was.’”
The building was Vancouver’s library until 1964, when Librarian Santee moved it to Mill Plain Boulevard.
