Seeking value of antiques

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LOOKING OVER: Antique appraiser Dave Turner carefully looks over a salesman’s sewing machine, dating back to at least the 1890s, during an antique appraisal event Saturday in Twelve Mile. Logansport’s Ronald Satron brought the machine to the event, which was serving as a Relay for Life fundraiser.

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May 30, 2009

Appraiser inspects variety of items in Twelve Mile

by Denise Massie Pharos-Tribune Sat May 30, 2009, 10:16 PM EDT

TWELVE MILE — Looking closely through a magnifying glass, Dave Turner inspects the antique sewing machine in front of him.

After a few minutes, he wipes off part of the machine with a towel to get a better look.

After a thorough inspection, Turner begins explaining to the owner of the sewing machine, Ronald Satron of Logansport, what he has figured out.

“I’m 99 percent sure this was a salesman’s sewing machine,” Turner explained Saturday morning. “It’s made by Wilcox out of New York. It even has instructions how to set it up.”

Turner dated the machine back to the 1890s to early 1900s and suggested if could be slightly older than that.

In the right market, the sewing machine could bring Satron between $400 and $500, Turner said.

Satron didn’t remember how or where he obtained the sewing machine from, but thought it may have been left behind in the house he bought. The appraisal price pleased him though.

“My wife thought it was a piece of junk,” he laughed.

The Twelve Mile antique appraisal is something Bonnie Burns and her sister-in-law, Shari Burns, have been conducting the last four years as fundraiser for Relay for Life.

According to Shari, the event started when they were looking for a way to raise money for the American Cancer Society event and met Turner and his wife, Bonnie, at the Rochester fairgrounds.

Previously held in Macy, the women decided to move it to Twelve Mile this year. Bonnie said it was just a good way to change things up and see different people.

Bonnie and Shari were pleased with the number of people stopping by on Saturday morning. Bonnie said the foot traffic was steady during the four-hour event.

The event has been successful all four years and Bonnie enjoys seeing what everyone brings in.

“It’s interesting to see how old the items they bring in are,” she said.

Some of the items were more valuable than others, with appraisals ranging from $35 up to $5,000.

Logansport’s Norman and Mary Lou Kesling stopped by with an antique sweeper and reproducer with a phonograph. The items came from the house of Mary Lou’s mother after she passed away.

Norman said both items dated back to the early 1990s.

The reproducer was valued at $500 and the sweeper at $100.

Turner of Greentown Antique Mall has been appraising items for 15 years. He was impressed by the quality of items people brought in Saturday.

The most interesting item brought in was a World War II Japanese military sword, which Turner appraised to be worth between $3,000 and $5,000 dollars.

Other items brought in included a movie projector, woman’s pocket watch, several types of antique toys, and an old family Bible from 1813. The Bible contained family history of births and deaths and was in good shape, according to Turner. However, due to a limited market, he appraised the item at $150.

While appraising each item, Turner said he looks for markings, dates, and manufacturing stampings.

“I have to look at the details to get as much information as possible,” he explained.

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com

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Seeking value of antiques

Appraiser inspects variety of items in Twelve Mile

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