Galesburg shows off collectibles at antique appraisal event

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From small figurines to a $2,000 walking stick, a number of Galesburg residents gathered today to find out the history, significance and in most cases, the price of their most valued possessions.

The Galesburg Public Library Foundation held an appraisal event, much like the popular television series “Antiques Roadshow,” where an appraiser values items and their collectors hope for an evaluation that yields serious cash. 

Though they may of had distant dreams of a big return, Lori and Owen Muelder were simply happy to find out more about their treasures. Lori told WGIL the couple brought a Barbara Leksberg figurine, a piece of pottery sculpted in 1964 by Lupita Martinez and a 1960’s Navajo wool scatter rug. 

“You watch the roadshow and they show people who hit a bonanza and you think that would be really fun,” Muelder laughed. “But sure, it was interesting. I mean, I had no idea whether they had any value or much value. ”

The three items were in the $100-$250 range.

Another hopeful attendee brought in a desk pad and book cover that was believed to be in the papal library of an 18th-century pope. Appraiser Mark Foran said tracing that story might be tough.

“That story is worth more than the cover,” Foran said. “It’s a great story. It does have a papal inscription, but to be able to authenticate it that it did in fact belong to (Pius VI’s) library is virtually impossible.”

The event was a fundraiser for GPFL and proceeds from tickets to the event will go to them.

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