Historical society to offer antique appraisals Saturday

Have you ever wonder how much grandma's old serving tray is worth? What about that heirloom oil painting or turn-of-the-century shawl?

The McHenry County Historical Society will host an Antique Appraisal Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the museum, 6422 Main St., Union.

Reserve a 10-minute slot in advance by calling the museum at (815) 923-2267. You must arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time to confirm your appointment and pay. Walk-ins also are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis, pending time and scheduling constraints.

The cost is $5 for each object with a maximum of three appraisals per individual. Thanks to the generosity of our appraisers, all proceeds benefit the nonprofit McHenry County Historical Society.

Sign up to bring your own object, or just come and watch the fun. Free admission to the museum will be extended to those bringing an object in for appraisal. Others pay regular admission of $5 for adults, $3 seniors and students; and $12 for families. Members, as always, are free.

For more information, visit www.GotHistory.org.

Antiques will be appraised by these professionals.

• Debbie and Jim McArdle, owners of Iron Horse Antiques & Appraisers in Crystal Lake, will appraise art, photography, textiles, holiday items, documents, country store advertising, pre-1920 American flags.

Debbie has been an antiques collector since 1970 and an antiques dealer since 1978. Her husband, Jim, joined her in the business in 1996. They specialize in pre-1920 American antiques and currently sell at Colonial Antique Mall in Woodstock, as well as at various antiques shows around the country. They are members of the Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association, Wisconsin Antique Dealers Association and the Northern Illinois Antiques Dealers Association.

• Trudy Stefanski of Arlington Heights will appraise china and glass. In the business about 25 years, her interest began with antique glass and expanded into ceramics. She became a dealer, participating in shows and at antique malls. "The more I got involved the more I was gung-ho," Stefanski said. "It might stem from my mom having a lot of things. It brought back a lot of memories. I like researching history and mingling with the customers."

• Lynne Eltrevoog of Union will appraise china and glass. A collector for more than 45 years and a dealer for 25 years, Eltrevoog managed the former On The Square Antique Mall in Walworth, Wis. for 18 years and has been a volunteer at the historical society for more than 20 years.

• Daniel Ring of Bull Valley will appraise stamps. Ring, a member of the American Philatelic Society and historical society board, has been collecting stamps for more than 60 years, ever since his mother received an advertisement for perfume with a French stamp on it. He noted that while most common stamps were made by the millions and worth only face value - its postmark, rarity, location and subject matter.

• Barb Peterson of Prairie Grove will appraise dolls. She owns the Attic Window & Heirloom Doll Hospital in Walworth, Wis. and is a certified "doll doctor." She also is a judge on the national level for the United Federation of Doll Clubs. "After my kids left the house I started getting into dolls and doll restoration," she said. "I like to fix dolls, restore them; make them look like they did. It was something new and challenging for me.

• David Krieg of Harvard will appraise toys. Krieg, of Harvard, has been running auctions and appraising toys for more than a quarter century. "I started with collecting toys back 26 or 27 years ago," Krieg said. "My specialty is anything with wheels. First it was farm toys, then trucks and then advertising stuff."

• Bret Dougherty and Michael Halvey of Studio 2015 in Woodstock will appraise jewelry. Dougherty, who is part owner, appraiser and head of acquisitions for Studio 2015 Jewelry, will be joined by Halvey, the firm's designer. Studio 2015 moved from the Square to its present 6,500-square-foot studio at 11701 Catalpa Lane in 2007. Owner Tom Dougherty, his wife, April, and their son, Bret, along with a staff of 29 continue to innovate. Among their favorite things to do is design jewelry and interact with people appraising jewelry. "In no other area have you seen an increase in raw materials like you have with jewelry," he said. He joined the business 14 years ago. "When I started gold was selling for $250 an ounce. Now it's up to $1,250 an ounce."