Treasures or Trinkets?
Find Out At Gilmer's Appraisal Fair

Disguised as a faded painting, a delicate porcelain figurine or even a battered old fishing lure, a small fortune may be gathering dust in your attic, standing inconspicuously in your china cabinet or languishing in your grandfather's rusty and dented tacklebox.

Individuals from throughout East Texas can find out if they own any such treasures at the fourth annual Appraisal Fair in Gilmer, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored as a fundraising project by the Historic Upshur Museum, the event will be held at the Yamboree Exhibit Building adjacent to the Gilmer Civic Center on Highway 271.

Appraisers will include experts specializing in a variety of categories related to antiques.

"If someone wants to determine the value of some of their antiques or collectibles, or just wants to learn a little about the history of an item, one of our appraisers likely can accommodate them," said Betty Slocum, Appraisal Fair chair and a board member of the museum. "No matter what the item, assuming it can be carried in, our appraisers will do their best to provide a verbal appraisal of its fair market value and some insight into when and where it was made."

Objects evaluated during past Appraisal Fairs include jewelry, pottery, paintings and other art pieces, glassware, dishes, lamps, postcards, dolls, silverware, furniture and clothing.

"In 2006, one visitor at the fair brought in an old, mustysmelling bearskin coat that had been kept for years in an outside storage building," recalled Ms. Slocum. "To his surprise and delight, he discovered the coat was worth $6,000."

Angling equipment is one of the new appraisal categories added to this year's fair.

"Fishing is among the most popular pastimes in East Texas, and just about everyone has some old lures or related items lying around the house," said Ms. Slocum. "Some might be real treasures. Tackle is becoming very popular among collectors, and certain lures or reels could each be worth up to about $50,000."

Admission to the Appraisal Fair is free. Cost of appraisals is $10 per item or 3 items for $20. All proceeds will be used to help the Historic Upshur Museum continue its work in preserving and promoting the heritage of Upshur County and East Texas.

Certificates will be awarded for the items deemed "Most Unusual," "Oldest," and "Most Representative of Upshur County," said Ms. Slocum.

Additionally, a number of the most interesting items brought to the Appraisal Fair will be featured in a special exhibit at the Historic Upshur Museum in downtown Gilmer.

Food and other refreshments will be available. Appraisal Fair visitors also can participate in a raffle for complimentary accommodations at the renowned Excelsior House Hotel in historic Jefferson, Texas. In continuous operation since the 1850s, the hotel has housed such celebrated guests as President Ulysses S. Grant, President Rutherford B. Hayes, playwright Oscar Wilde and Lady Bird Johnson.