Byce appraises antiques in Boardman

By PETER H. MILLIKEN

milliken@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

More than 30 people wanting to know if their antiques and collectibles were trash or treasure — or somewhere in between — took them to the Boardman public library for a free appraisal.

In a format somewhat similar to the PBS television program “Antiques Roadshow,” Youngstown auctioneer Jeff Byce gave the appraisals Thursday, as he did in similar programs nearly a year ago at the main library and about four months ago at the Poland library.

Rea Buttermore of Boardman brought in an 1860-vintage, .22-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol and a large 1871-vintage bayonet, with its owner’s name inscribed in the blade, for which he paid $100 each at an auction about 40 to 45 years ago.

“Back then, I was an antique freak,” Buttermore told Byce.

“Smith & Wesson — those are the two words that you want to see on a gun like this,” Byce told Buttermore. “This looks like a very rare gun. This gun, I tell you, has got some historical significance to it.”

Byce appraised the tiny pocket or purse gun at $400 to $600, telling Buttermore he could get much more information on the gun from the Smith & Wesson website using the pistol’s serial number.

As for the bayonet, Byce told Buttermore: “I actually think that this might be French. The French were known for very long bayonets.” Byce added, “This would be stamped U.S. if it was a U.S. military blade.”

Byce estimated the bayonet would bring $150 to $225 at auction.

“This is very, very unique. I know it’s a bayonet because of the way that it attaches up here” to a gun, Byce said, adding the bayonet could have been worn as a sidearm within a leather sheath.

A highlight of the event occurred when Byce appraised a Marc Chagall sketch of people surrounding a hand-painted flower vase, which a woman said she bought for $45 at a garage sale, at between $5,000 and $7,500.

But Byce appraised most of the items that came before him at less than $100.

Among the vintage items brought in for appraisal included dolls and other toys, ceramics, books, cow bells and a telescope.

Byce said scarcity, condition and portability are three major factors in determining the value of an antique or collectible item. Values tend to be higher for items that are easily transported, rare and in good, original condition, he explained.

“As a librarian, I see people come in daily, looking for collectibles guides that will help them determine if an item that has been in their family for years has more than sentimental value,” said Josephine Nolfi, library programming manager.

“This is just another way of bringing our patrons closer to the information they need,” Nolfi said of the appraisal event.

“The library always likes to bring in unique presenters,” said Janet Loew, library communications and public-relations director.

“We know that there is a big interest in antiques,” she said, adding the library hopes to connect program participants with books that can further inform them about antiques and collectibles.

“It all comes back to connecting people with information that they’re interested in,” Loew said.

The library system may repeat the antiques appraisal program if public interest is sufficient, Loew said.

For those who missed Thursday’s program, Byce said he offers free appraisals to the public between 4 and 6 p.m. the last Monday of each month at his auction gallery at 755 Wick Ave.