In Cape May… Antiques to Match a First Class Convention Hall

I got my first look inside the City of Cape May’s new Convention Hall a few weeks ago. The Greater Cape May Chamber of Commerce had invited me to conduct an appraisal program there during an antiques and crafts fair they were running.
The new hall impressed me as soon as I opened the door. Then, when they set me in front of a large wall of windows with a breathtaking view of the ocean, I was really impressed. The folks in Cape May can be very proud of this place.
I was also impressed by the number and quality of the items that were brought in for appraisal. I saw 40 groups of people, many with multiple items. If there was a theme to what they were bringing in, it was quality Americana. I always take pictures at these events to share with Herald readers, and I’ve included some with this column.
Another thing I regularly do is research some of the items when I get home to see how accurate my appraisals were. I was right on the money with most of the items I saw that day, with one glaring exception.
There was a miniature cast iron stove, marked “Queen.” Old cast iron is very collectible, and I thought this was a salesman’s sample worth a few hundred dollars, but it wound up being a fairly common toy worth from $50 to $75.
I’ll try to include a picture of that stove in my next column, when I’ll have more photos of the items I saw at the convention center as well as those brought in at a Friends of the Physick Estate event in Cape May a week later.
If you would like to have some of your items appraised, bring them into the Marketplace at Teaberry on Route 9 in Clermont this Sat., April 6. I’ll be there to tell you about your things from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Appraisals of two or three items will cost you a $5 donation, or will be free with a purchase from any one of their fine dealers. Call Sharon at Teaberry (609-624-1700), and she’ll tell you all about it. Hope to see you there.
Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of The August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions and appraisal requests to aschwerdt@cmcherald.com.