History museum to hold 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 and Museum will host its sixth annual Antique Appraisal Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, 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: China/glassware, art, toys, sports cards/memorabilia, jewelry, dolls, stamps, books and general antiques that includes textiles, photos and documents. Items must be portable enough for attendees to carry unassisted.

Advance registration is advised and runs through Tuesday, 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. 24 will cost $9 per object and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis - pending time and scheduling constraints. Spectators are encouraged to watch the action. Regular museum admission will apply: $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, $12 for families.

There is free admission to the museum, as always, for society members.

Thanks to the generosity of the appraisers, all proceeds benefit the nonprofit historical society. This year's lineup of appraisers include:

• 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.

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

• Scott Teasdale, Woodland Art Gallery & Frame Shoppe, Crystal Lake - Art and rugs. Scott has owned and operated Woodland Art Gallery and Frame Shop in Crystal Lake for almost 40 years. His artistic knowledge ranges from etchings, to engravings, watercolors and oils. He also has expertise in the preservation of artwork through years working as a professional picture framer. He also has collected, bought and sold antique oriental rugs for nearly 40 years.

• Kurt Gippert, Kurt Gippert Bookseller, Chicago - Books, maps, autographs. Kurt is an antiquarian, collectible and out-of-print book dealer and has been buying and selling books since 1990. He also deals in autographs, pre-1900 maps, ephemera and historic documents. He is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America. His bookstore in northwest Chicago is open to the public by appointment.

• Daniel Ring, Bull Valley - Stamps. Dan, a member of the American Philatelic Society and historical society board, has been collecting stamps for more than 60 years. Ring 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, McHenry - Dolls. Peterson owns the Attic Window & Heirloom Doll Hospital in Walworth, Wisconsin, 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 - Toys, advertising. Dave has been running auctions and appraising toys for more than a quarter century. "My specialty is anything with wheels," said Krieg, who began collecting more than 30 years ago. "First it was farm toys, then trucks and then advertising stuff."

• Max Cannon and Karly Bulinski of Steffan's Jewelers, McHenry - Jewelry. 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 - Sports. Michael specializes in pre-1970 vintage sports cards and memorabilia and is a devotee 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.

For details, visit www.gothistory.org.