TREASURE HUNT

The world of antiques and collectibles has its celebrities; authoritative professionals who seem to have been born knowing everything there is to know about rare and unusual items. They’re interesting people, but you couldn’t imagine having them come to your house. What would you talk about?

One of the most popular and endearing antiques and collectibles experts is Harry Rinker. Rinker, known to HGTV fans as the “Collector Inspector,” is less like an intimidating expert and more like your favorite uncle. He likes to drop by the house, look at all your treasures, including the heirlooms (or junk) tucked into closets and boxes in the basement and then tell you about them. And he knows what they’re worth on the market today.

A prolific price guide author, and host of the syndicated weekly Sunday morning call-in radio show, “Watcha got,” Rinker is a regular contributor to a number of notable publications.

Each month Rinker crisscrosses the country making house calls, speaking to groups and offering verbal appraisals of antiques and collectibles. Monday and next Tuesday, Rinker will be in Spokane for KSPS Public Television’s Antiques Quest at Northern Quest Casino. Rinker will chat with participants who registered to bring up to two items in for appraisal. Local antiques dealers and authorities will also offer appraisals.

Kerry Faggiano, marketing and outreach director at KSPS, says that while the available slots for appraisals have been filled, the public is invited to watch Rinker and local appraisers work. The two-day even will be filmed and air on KSPS later this fall.

“This is going to be a lot of fun,” Faggiano said. “People are excited about being able to bring a couple of their treasures, talk to the appraisers and see Harry at work.”

Jennifer Simmons, Northern Quest public relations coordinator, said they are expecting a positive response. “Harry is going to be accessible,” Simmons said. “I’m looking forward to seeing him interact with the crowd.”