McHenry Co. Historical Society to host fifth annual Antique Appraisal Day

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 & Museum will host its fifth annual Antique Appraisal Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Reserve a 10-minute slot for your treasure by calling the museum at (815) 923-2267.

Appraisal categories include: ceramics, china, glassware, toys, sports cards/memorabilia, clocks, jewelry, dolls and general antiques that includes art, textiles, photos and documents. Items must be portable enough for attendees to carry unassisted.

Advance registration is advised and runs through Monday, Feb. 20. The cost is $7 for each object with a maximum of three appraisals per person. Individual museum admission is included with a paid registration. Registration payment can be made with a credit card or check. Check payments must be received within one week of making your reservation, otherwise your time will become available for other appraisals.

Arrive 15 minutes prior to your reserved time to check in and be seated in the appraiser's area.

Walk-in appraisals on Feb. 25 will cost $9 per object and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis pending time and scheduling constraints.

Thanks to the generosity of our appraisers, all proceeds benefit the nonprofit historical society.

This year's outstanding lineup of appraisers are:

• Debbie and Jim McArdle, owners of Iron Horse Antiques & Appraisers in Crystal Lake - 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.

• Ben Petersen, Nancy Ann's Antiques, Richmond - General appraiser specializing in lamps, watches, furniture and glassware. He has been collecting and appraising for 25 years.

• Lynne Eltrevoog, Cat's Meow Antiques, Union - A collector for more than 45 years and a dealer for 25 years, she specializes in china and glass. Lynne managed the former On The Square Antique Mall in Walworth, Wis. for 18 years.

• Tom Vician, Cary, ceramics instructor at McHenry County College - Vician studied ceramics at Northern Michigan and at Illinois State University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics. Tom embraces both functional and sculptural ceramics, exhibiting his clay work regionally and nationally.

• Dennis Bowie, Harvard - Dennis' father, a clockmaker who worked at Ray Wolf Jewelers in Woodstock, introduced him to the trade. He has been studying and repairing clocks for decades and owns an estimated 400 clocks. According to Dennis, "Every clock has its own little story."

• Barb Peterson, Prairie Grove - Peterson 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.

• David Krieg, Harvard - Krieg has been running auctions and appraising toys for more than a quarter century. "My specialty is anything with wheels," said Dave, who began collecting some 30 years ago. "First it was farm toys, then trucks and then advertising stuff."

• Max Cannon and Karly Bulinski of Steffan's Jewelers, McHenry. Started in 1946 by Harold and Theresa Steffan, this fourth-generation team features Max Cannon, a graduate in diamonds from the gemological Institute of America, and Karly Bulinski, the appraiser at Steffan's and a graduate gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America.

• Michael Osaky, Baseball in the Attic, Chicago - Osaky specializes in pre-1970 vintage sports cards and memorabilia, is a devote of tobacco and Cracker Jack baseball cards. He has appraised world championship collections from former NBA and MLB athletes and is certified by the National Association of Professional Appraisers.

Spectators are encouraged to watch the action. Regular museum admission will apply: $5, $3 for seniors and students, $12 for families and free admission for all society members.