Snapshot: UMHA Surprise Appraisals and Birthdays

The most recent meeting  of the (UMHA), featured several surprises, when Tom Wakely, an auctioneer and appraiser, returned to provide a group appraisal session of over 40 participants antiques and arts.

Wakely is an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers, and an appraiser for 20 years. He represented the Southampton-based auction house Stephenson’s Auction, provided estimates on several historic and unique items.

Taking place in the Upper Moreland Township building, the council room was transformed into a stage, with the audience as the event participants, their antique valuables arranged as a showcase and with Wakely in a “game-show host”-like position.

“They are laughing and riveted to their seats,” Wakely said. “They come and make a night of it.”

Aside from the estimates on antiques, Wakely included the history of the item or the major events surrounding the item that might increase its value.

Wakely provided estimates on what some of the antique’s would be worth at an auction house, which, he explained would first be the lowest amount an item could be marked as, until bidding started.

However, he said that , at such group appraisals, he would be providing more of a “verbal approximation,” than an appraisal, as appraisals may require documents of authenticity.

The UMHA appraisal event showcased some interesting items, including an antique record-player, an engagement ring from the early 1900s , which was passed down to an event participant by her grandfather, and estimated at value upward of $2,000; there were books dating back to 1885, collectable figurines that had imprinted on them “Made in Occupied Japan” which was estimated to be worth  to be approximately only $5.

However, the biggest surprise of the evening came at the very beginning of the meeting, as the state representative Tom Murt (R/152), read a citation recognizing Upper Moreland resident Clara Whyte’s 100^th birthday this month.

Members of the UMHA accompanied the surprise celebration for Whyte with a birthday cake from Weinrich’s Bakery.