TREASURE HUNT

Every week someone calls or writes to ask me the value of something. But I’m not an appraiser. I know what I like, and where to start looking for more information, but I’m not an expert.

The best I can do is point you toward a book or publication that might tell you a little more about your item, or I can steer you to a professional appraiser. After that it’s up to you.

This weekend you can talk to people who are experts on antiques and collectibles.

You can find out how much an item is worth, or a little more about its history, just by visiting The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

The Antique Appraisal Days at the MAC will be Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Professional appraisers will evaluate jewelry, decorative arts, books, ephemera, U.S. military and fine art items.

To have large furniture items appraised bring photographs with clear close-ups of details such as wood type and construction techniques like dovetailing as well as any marks, stamps or names found on your piece.

All appraisals are oral and are offered on a first come, first served basis. Each appraisal is $10 and you can bring up to five items.

I’ll be there both days from noon to 3 p.m. looking for interesting stories for this column. I’d love to meet you and chat about our favorite treasure hunting haunts.

We can swap “fishing” stories and talk about the great finds we’ve made and cry over the ones that got away.

A good catch

John Irby has quite a treasure.

The painting, done in the style of the old masters and framed in an elaborately carved frame, is beautiful. And the story behind it is just as intriguing.

Irby, the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies of the School of Communication at Washington State University, purchased the painting at a fund-raising auction in Ventura, Calif., several years ago.

The painting once belonged to actor Michael Landon.

When Landon divorced his first wife, she kept the painting and then donated it to a charity auction.

Later, Irby came across the painting at yet another auction where he purchased it as part of a package that included four tickets to the symphony and dinner for four at a restaurant overlooking the ocean. He got the whole deal for only $300.

Irby has no idea who painted the piece, or how much it is worth, so he plans to bring the painting to the Appraisal Days at the Museum of Arts and Culture to find out. I think it’s safe to say he made a good investment.

Irby promised to pass along what the experts tell him.