Local Appraisals, Local Treasures at Teaberry Marketplace

So many things were brought in for me to appraise at Teaberry Marketplace on a recent Saturday. I couldn’t possibly include photos of everything I saw. During four and a half hours I saw over 35 people, most of whom had multiple items.
One of the items I haven’t included here was a collection of beer steins. They were porcelain trimmed in luster ware, a shiny golden glaze, and were marked “Germany.” I mention them because so many people have these that they are always showing up at these appraisal program.
The best steins are the stoneware steins from Mettlach. These will be marked with what looks like a castle but is actually a monastery. Mettlach steins can be valued in the hundreds of dollars. The porcelain steins are from the1920s and ’30s. They are usually valued from $35-125 depending on the size and quality of the decoration.
Lids on old steins will be pewter. The newer steins have aluminum lids. Lids were added to steins, so I’ve heard, for beer garden drinking during Oktoberfest. They keep the autumn leaves from falling in your drink.
I’ll include some other items from this appraisal program in a future “Mailbag” column.
It’s heartening to read in the local press that government officials throughout Cape May County are looking to attract more business here. At the same time, however, they should also be looking at ways to support and encourage locally owned businesses.
Teaberry Marketplace, which is on Route 9 in Clermont, is a locally-owned mall, featuring a wide range of local dealers in antique, vintage and new items. It was packed with shoppers the day I ran the appraisal program there, and they deserve every bit of their success. It’s well organized, there are lots of interesting things, they have an in-house bistro to relax in, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.
Here’s a fact to keep in mind when planning your holiday shopping: statistics from the Small Business Association show that over 60 percent of the income of a locally-owned business will stay in the community, as opposed to less than 40-percent from a national chain or discount store. So, shopping in locally-owned stores like Teaberry Marketplace is good for you. It’s also lots of fun.
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.