upper photo- Stephen Fletcher (left) with the Keno's
lower photo- Colleen Fesko (right) on the Road Show
In 1992, in Massachusetts, I planned an Appraisal Day, a sort of Antiques Road Show, in cooperation with Skinner, Boston. We had the then unknown Appraisers, Colleen Fesko and Stephen Fletcher. Both of them are now often seen on the Antiques Road Show.
This was a new event for us, and it really was a bit of a shakedown cruise. I have since coordinated several Appraisal Days here in Dundas, along with Ritchie’s, Toronto, and they were better arranged. However, this was a first come, first served event with a bring anything attitude.
People were lining up early, and we were prepared with coffee and doughnuts. That much of the planning I did get right! The careful pre-selling of arranged times and spaces was not thought of at that time.
We had everything I’d ever thought of, including a wooden, early vacuum cleaner. Art work, furniture, china and glass galore came in. It was all quite fun with my being the first appraiser. I really only made snap judgments about things I knew something about, but made them to myself and my colleagues, as opposed to the clients. When the people left I tried to see what they had learned, as it was our own Roadshow and we needed feedback. It was great fun!
One of my Board members was in line, and had several objects. Paintings and art work went to Colleen, while everything else went to Stephen. This was fine, but it sometimes left one appraiser unused while one was busy. After a long wait for her first appraisal, and no time to wait for another, our Board member had to leave. She gave another Board member a metal vase she was holding, and asked him to wait in line and get her appraisal, because she had to go home and do something with her family.
She told us the vase came from her husband’s grandmother, she knew it was Asian and that was it.
We waited, and as our second Board member grew tired of waiting, we played football with the metal vase. Just a catch really, no tackle in the hall.
His turn came and he went to the Appraisers table. After a bit, he stood there with a look of disbelief!
This was a new event for us, and it really was a bit of a shakedown cruise. I have since coordinated several Appraisal Days here in Dundas, along with Ritchie’s, Toronto, and they were better arranged. However, this was a first come, first served event with a bring anything attitude.
People were lining up early, and we were prepared with coffee and doughnuts. That much of the planning I did get right! The careful pre-selling of arranged times and spaces was not thought of at that time.
We had everything I’d ever thought of, including a wooden, early vacuum cleaner. Art work, furniture, china and glass galore came in. It was all quite fun with my being the first appraiser. I really only made snap judgments about things I knew something about, but made them to myself and my colleagues, as opposed to the clients. When the people left I tried to see what they had learned, as it was our own Roadshow and we needed feedback. It was great fun!
One of my Board members was in line, and had several objects. Paintings and art work went to Colleen, while everything else went to Stephen. This was fine, but it sometimes left one appraiser unused while one was busy. After a long wait for her first appraisal, and no time to wait for another, our Board member had to leave. She gave another Board member a metal vase she was holding, and asked him to wait in line and get her appraisal, because she had to go home and do something with her family.
She told us the vase came from her husband’s grandmother, she knew it was Asian and that was it.
We waited, and as our second Board member grew tired of waiting, we played football with the metal vase. Just a catch really, no tackle in the hall.
His turn came and he went to the Appraisers table. After a bit, he stood there with a look of disbelief!
The football, our metal object d’art, had an appraised value of $50,000!
We considered all the alternatives, but couldn’t go through with them. We called her and told the truth!
We considered all the alternatives, but couldn’t go through with them. We called her and told the truth!
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