Is your 'treasure' hidden in plain sight?

Rhode Island Treasures 

Richard Conti of Conti Appraisal Service in Attleboro, MA, is an accredited senior member of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the National Association of Professional Appraisers, and the National Auctioneers Association. As a long-time supporter of Rhode Island PBS and the president of the Boston Chapter of the ASA, Richard is the station's liaison with the accredited appraisers participating in the Antiques Discovery & Appraisal Show coming to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI on February 18.

"Rhode Island is literally a treasure trove of original works of art and furnishings created by masters of their craft," said Conti. "There are the familiar names – Townsend and Goddard furniture of Newport, Gorham silver of Providence, the distinctive painting styles of Gilbert Stuart, George Hayes, and Maxwell Mays – all with strong roots in Rhode Island. There are also lesser known names who crafted beautiful works of art that are recognized by a signature style or shape. These, too, have become valuable and highly collectable through time."

As a personal and real property appraiser and auctioneer for more than 20 years in New England, Conti has witnessed countless expressions of shock-turned-joy in his career. He tells the story of one man who requested Conti's services to help settle the estate of the man's elderly aunt.

"I walked into the home and saw a painting on the dining room wall over the buffet. 'That's been hanging there since I was a boy,' the 50-something year old client told me. The painting was an original oil on canvas signed by Guy Wiggins. It was dusty, but worth between $35,000 and $40,000." 

Needless to say, Conti's client was astonished.

"I see this all the time. A piece of furniture or a painting that has been part of everyday family life – and virtually ignored for decades – is actually a valuable antique, hidden in plain sight," Conti said.  

Even what was considered 'costume jewelry' in its day – pieces manufactured in Rhode Island by Monet, Coro, Trifari – demonstrate a type of American craft and artistry that has appreciated over time and become collector's items, according to Conti.

"Masterful pieces created in Rhode Island over the centuries can be found all over the world," Conti said, "but there are still many originals right here in New England. Some objects never left, while others have made their way back home." 

Making Your Discovery 

If you're a fan of the British and American traveling appraisal shows we air on WSBE, then you likely agree that some of the best, most exciting moments are when unexpected treasures are discovered.

New Englanders are invited to experience one of those moments of discovery for themselves at the upcoming Rhode Island PBS Antiques Discovery & Appraisal Show. The first event of its kind for WSBE - and a first-in-the-nation event for appraisers accredited by the ASA - the Rhode Island PBS Antiques Discovery & Appraisal Show provides a special and affordable opportunity for people all over New England to bring objects of unknown or uncertain value to an accredited appraiser for a written appraisal. Those two features – a written appraisal by an accredited appraiser – distinguish the Antiques Discovery & Appraisal Show from other antiques appraisal events in the region.

You could be on TV! 

Throughout the day, while folks are in line for their written appraisals, Richard and the other accredited appraisers Elizabeth Clement, Elizabeth Clement & Associates, LLC of Danvers, MA; Michelle DuBois, Winston Art Group of Boston, MA; Leonard R. Polivy, Gordon Brothers Group of Boston, MA; Peter Sorlien, Peter Sorlien and Associates of Marblehead, MA; event sponsor Steven Fusco of Estates Unlimited, Inc., Cranston, RI, will alternately mingle in the crowd on the look-out for “hidden” treasures.

In the meantime, TV producer and show host Brian Scott-Smith and the WSBE camera crew will be in the lines to film interactions, as well as in the formal appraisal area to capture those moments of discovery. Those stories will be edited together with additional footage, to create a television special that will air on WSBE’s two channels, Rhode Island PBS and Learn.

Details

The Rhode Island PBS Antiques Discovery & Appraisal Show will be held at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick Airport Hotel, 801 Greenwich Avenue (Route 5) in Warwick, RI, on Saturday, February 18, 2012, from 9 AM to 4 PM.

One $65 ticket permits one written appraisal for one item, and admits one guest (two people). There is a choice of three admission times: 9 A.M., 11 A.M., 2 P.M., with tickets sold on a first come first served basis. Tickets must be purchased in advance - there will be no tickets sold at the door.

There will NO buying or selling at the event. All appraisers are volunteering their time and expertise. Ticket proceeds benefit WSBE Rhode Island PBS. Tickets are available online at www.ripbs.org/antiques.

For more information, including a helpful list of Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.ripbs.org/antiques. The Antiques Discovery & Appraisal Show is sponsored by Estates Unlimited, Inc. of Cranston, Rhode Island's premier antique and fine art auction company.

Wonder how much that "attic heirloom" of yours is worth?

Have you ever wondered how much that "attic heirloom" of yours might be worth? You know... that curio that's been in your family for generations? Or maybe it's a yard sale bargain that caught your eye and you just had to have.

Many of us have acquired objects that carry with them a long history. Sometimes we know what that history is, and sometimes we can only speculate. Often, an object has high sentimental value, even if we're not sure of its true dollar value.

How would you react if an appraiser told you that item really is a treasure?

Fans of public television's British and American traveling antiques shows agree that some of the best, most exciting moments are when valuable treasures are unexpectedly discovered. Rhode Island PBS invites you to experience one of those moments for yourself at our own upcoming Antiques Discovery and Appraisal Show in February. And if your item really is a treasure, you could see your story told on television.

This first event of its kind for Rhode Island PBS will be introduced and previewed on Sunday, November 27 at 8 P.M. during the station's broadcast of Antiques Roadshow. Appraisers Richard Conti of Conti Estates in Attleboro and Steven Fusco of Estates Unlimited in Cranston, and television producer Brian Scott-Smith, will describe what you can expect to see and experience at the appraisal event. Richard and Steven will also demonstrate on-the-spot appraisals on the air.

The Antiques Discovery and Appraisal Show itself will be held at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick Airport Hotel in Warwick, Rhode Island, on Saturday, February 18, 2012, from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. It is designed to provide a special opportunity for the public to bring their objects of unknown or uncertain value to accredited appraisers for written appraisal. Those two features – a written appraisal by an accredited appraiser – distinguish the Antiques Discovery and Appraisal Show from any similar events in the region.

During the event, accredited appraiser Richard Conti and the team of accredited appraisers will mingle with the crowd, searching for hidden treasures. Television producer and show host Brian Scott-Smith will be there with the camera crew to film the discoveries as they are made. Those stories will be edited together to create a television special that will air exclusively on WSBE's two channels: Rhode Island PBS and Learn.

So, your "attic heirloom" may not only enrich you - it could make you famous, too!

We have lots of information about the event already online, with more to come as the date approaches. Visit www.ripbs.org/antiques.

In the meantime, tune in on Sunday, November 27 at 8 P.M.- you can buy your ticket early to lock-in the arrival time of your choice: 9 A.M., 11 A.M. or 2 P.M.

The Antiques Discovery and Appraisal Show is made possible in part by Estates Unlimited, Inc.