Sixth Annual SW Kansas Antiques Appraisal Fair comin March 10

Registration is under way for the Sixth Annual Southwest Kansas Antiques Appraisal Fair, which is set for 9 a.m. March 10 at the Finney County 4-H Building in Garden City.

The all-day show should appeal to people who enjoy “Pawn Stars,” “American Pickers” or particularly “Antiques Road Show,” according to Rhonda Stone, who leads the Appraisal Fair Committee of the Finney County Historical Society, host of the event. Each year, those who attend bring flea market or auction finds, family heirlooms and keepsakes to be shown, shared and evaluated live before the audience. The team of nine volunteer appraisers includes collectors, dealers and others with expertise in antiques.

Last year the audience shared nearly 100 objects, including a trunk dating to the 1700s or earlier, a 1940s pin-up poster, a Native American woven basket and a metal plaque engraved by Czech art deco master Jaroslav Horejc, which the appraisers valued at $3,000. Couples and individuals also brought autographs of astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter, a 19th Century edition of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” a 60-year-old Native American blanket, Billy Klapper bridle bits and spurs, an antique coronet, a 1930s silverware chest, and a Lionel electric train.

Others shared a print of the Maxfield Parrish painting, “Evening,” a six-sided Hohner harmonica and an Andy Warhol painting of John Wayne. Additional items ranged from a World War II Army overcoat to an Andre Dube hand-carved moose lamp. There were also pocket watches, mantle clocks, Depression and carnival glass, china, crocks, dolls, carvings, sewing machines, bowls, vases, cookie jars, vintage milk and soda pop bottles, brooches, rings, Fisher Price toys, cigarette cases and over 50 additional objects.
The appraisers can accept nearly any antique or collectible except fine jewelry and firearms. Appraisals will be conducted individually, one by one, before the audience. No artifacts will be bought or sold, but the appraisers will offer non-binding spoken estimates of value for each item, while sharing their knowledge about the history of each piece.

EARLY REGISTRATION AT MUSEUM
Appraisals are $15 per item, on a first come-first served basis, and spectator admission is free. Those who pre-register with payment by March 2 may bring three items for $36. The place for early registration is the Finney County Historical Museum, 403 S. Fourth in Finnup Park. Hours are 1-5 p.m. seven days weekly. The number is 620-272-3664.
Registration will be available after March 2 too, at the museum; and until 2 p.m. at the door the day of the show, all at the $15 item rate. The 4-H Building is located on the Finney County Fairgrounds and the doors will open to the public at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event, with the show running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until the last item is appraised, whichever comes first.
Pre-registered items will get first priority. Those who sign up in advance are encouraged to provide printed pictures of their items, or have them photographed by the museum staff during pre-registration. Items and item photos will be shown at the show and may be published online or in print.

SPONSORS & ON-SITE FOOD
Primary sponsors include American Warrior, the Finney County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Garden City Telegram, the Solze family, Steve and Rhonda Stone, Larry Johnston Auction and Western State Bank.
Major sponsors are Coldwell Banker – The Real Estate Shoppe, Golden Plains Credit Union, Homestead Assisted Living, Keeper’s Nest, Pishny Financial Services LC and Valley State Bank. Additional sponsors include John and Angelica Chappel, Garnand Funeral Home, Neil Hawley Agency – American Family Insurance, Oswalt Appraisals and Unger’s Heating and Air Conditioning.
Edward Jones Financial Advisor Lora Schneider is providing prizes for the items of greatest age and value, as well as the most unique.
​Flat Broke Barbecue will be on hand to sell and beverages during a lunch break and throughout the day, as well as coffee and cinnamon rolls in the morning. Appraisal fair proceeds support programs and exhibits at the museum.