BIDDEFORD — Susan and David Price were among the first in line Saturday, waiting patiently for the doors of the Saco Museum to open at 10 a.m. They, like the other early birds, had their hands full, clasping packages ”“ the contents of which they hoped would prove valuable.
The couple’s treasures included a couple of paintings ”“ one by Maine painter Larry Largay ”“ and two hand-painted plates, one of George Washington and the other of his wife, Martha.
“We’ve had them for decades,” said Susan Price. “I hope they’re worth lots.”
The Prices were attending the seventh annual Antiques Appraisal Day, a fundraiser for the Saco Museum.
In addition to raising money for the museum, the appraisal day is “a service to the community,” said museum board trustee Jean Horton.
“It’s a way to connect with the community,” said board President Linsey Pilon.
To participate, people pay between $15-40 to have one to four items appraised by independent fine arts and antiques appraiser Bruce Buxton of Portland. Buxton, who has been in business for 38 years, has worked at the museum fundraiser all seven years.
For their fee, participants learn a little of the history and context about the item or items they’ve brought with them, along with the value. Pilon writes the information on a sheet of paper, which participants get to take home with them. The information can be useful if the owners want to sell the item or just to keep track of the interesting tidbits about their artifacts.
Like a talented history teacher, while Buxton discussed each item, he seemed to bring them to life. Audience members appeared just as interested as the items’ owners in hearing what Buxton had to say about the different artifacts, ranging from a Middle Eastern purse to billiard balls one man inherited from his father. Often, people stayed even after Buxton appraised their pieces to hear about the others.
While examining the Prices’ Washington plates, Buxton said, “They’re very nice.”
“She’s never had such a nice smile,” he said of the depiction of Martha Washington. “I’ve never seen her with a blue cap.”
David Price said he purchased the plates years ago for $50. Buxton placed the value of the plates as $800 for the pair.
The plates, made by the Thomas Porcelain Company, an American company, would have been worth more if produced in Europe, said Buxton.
At the Saco event, “most people want to know of the history of the item rather than the value,” said Buxton.
For instance, Ben Garfield of Portland brought four toy banks with him.
“I’m mostly trying to get more information” about the items, said Garfield, who collects the banks as a hobby.
One of his pieces was a white, plastic Uncle Sam bank that was also a working nightlight.
“It’s lovely,” said Buxton, who told Garfield the bank was made in the 1930s in Central Falls, R.I. The appraiser placed the value at $100.
Another of the banks, said Buxton, was made in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1930s and was worth $25.
Most of the items people bring to the museum aren’t worth a lot, said Buxton, who appraises $350 million worth of arts and antiques each year.
In the years that he’s conducted appraisals at the Saco Museum, Buxton said one of the most valuable items he appraised was a painting, two years ago, that was worth $20,000.
But, said Buxton, you never know what people will find. He said one of the most valuable items he appraised during his career was a painting found in a Maine attic, valued at $1.7 million.
Buxton said he doesn’t participate in many events like the one at the Saco Museum, but he likes to come to Saco because “they have a will for improvement.”
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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