October 19, 2006

Bank Gives Heirloom Appraisals
by Aaron Kinney, San Mateo County Times

SAN MATEO — There were no blockbuster appraisals at an "Antiques Roadshow"-style event Wednesday evening, but there were plenty of interesting stories.

Around 80 clients of Borel Private Bank and Trust Co. showed up at the bank with antiques and collectibles to be evaluated by Stephen Turner, an appraiser for Bonhams and Butterfields Auctioneers. Turner appraised the items on the spot, in the manner of the popular PBS television show.

Kevin Weir, who owns a Foster City catering business, brought in a silver ring from the Major League Baseball All-Star Game hosted by Cleveland in 1981. His father received the ring, similar to championship rings in professional sports, for serving on a committee that promoted the game.

"He was so disconnected from baseball that he didn't even know the game," Weir said of his father, who was a banker. "But he was a big believer in Cleveland ."

It's natural for people who inherit family heirlooms to harbor the secret hope they will turn out to be worth a million dollars, but most of their dreams are dashed.

On Wednesday, Turner's most common assessment was a variation of, "It has far more sentimental value than monetary value."

But some items were worth thousands. One man brought in a woven American Indian blanket that was purchased in New Mexico between 1900 and 1925. Turner told him the red, brown and white blanket could be worth as much as $5,000.

Turner told a woman with a gold clock and two candle-holders of Russian origin that the set, once her ex-husband's, was valued between $2,000 and $3,000. A Japanese sword obtained by an American soldier following World War II could be worth as much as $30,000. Turner told the owner he would investigate.

Milton Cavalli, a 93-year-old resident of San Mateo , brought in a small canvas sack containing three antique pocket watches and a handful of old coins. Cavalli, who also owns a number of antique cars, including a Ford Model T, said he inherited his tendency to hoard.

"My dad never threw anything away; neither did I," Cavalli said. "I got a lot of what I call junk, but a lot of it is classic stuff."

One of the watches was manufactured by Waltham Watch Co. in 1868. Along with the watch, Cavalli had a letter from the company dated Feb. 6, 1943. It was a reply to a letter Cavalli sent inquiring about the watch's value.

The company was unable to supply an answer, but it did provide a noteworthy bit of trivia. "It may be interesting to you to know that former President Abraham Lincoln carried a watch very similar to this one and manufactured by us," the letter read.

Sixty-three years after his initial inquiry, Cavalli received an answer. Along with the letter, the watch, somewhat worn and no longer ticking, could fetch about $250, Turner told him.

Turner worked his way through the rows of folding chairs, examining the offerings in turn and finding something to appreciate in each one. As he went, he dispensed antique-collecting wisdom. For instance, the condition of an antique is a critical component of value; Russia and China are rising antique markets.

There was nothing wrong with the condition of Weir's All-Star Game silver ring, which is studded with six small diamonds and topped with a round blue stone that Turner couldn't identify offhand. Weir learned the ring is worth $2,000 to $4,000. If a major league player's name were stamped on it, not his father's, it would be worth more.

No big deal. Weir doesn't plan on selling it. He said he'll pass it down to his son, who happens to work at the bank.

Staff writer Aaron Kinney can be reached at (650) 348-4302 or by e-mail at akinney@sanmateocountytimes.com .