Warming weather is a sure sign that yard sale season is just around the corner. Now, before you break out the Sharpie and start pricing everything in the house, you might do well to ask yourself: “What’s this thing really worth?”
You see, the First Law of Yard Sale Shopping states that for every yard sale win there’s an equal and opposite yard sale defeat. For example, a $300.00 Rookwood vase sells at a yard sale for $20.00. The buyer claims the victory (by a magnitude of $280.00), while the seller tastes defeat (by a margin of minus-$280.00).
These kinds of lopsided transactions often occur when one party has more (or better) information than the other. One person knows what the vase is worth, the other doesn’t. One person knows the history of the car, the other doesn’t. Economists often describe transactions like these as examples of information asymmetry. It’s a scenario that assumes at least one party to a transaction has relevant information whereas the other(s) do not. While the web has helped level out a lot of these asymmetrical transactions, it’s always prudent to learn more; especially when you can learn from experts… and for free!
This weekend, in celebration of the impending yard sale season (and National Library Week!) Worthington Libraries is hosting a program designed to do just that. “What’s It Worth? An Appraisal Event” will give attendees the chance to sort out their trash from their treasures by bringing them straight to the experts. Here’s how it works:
On Saturday April 17, Wes Cowan (star of the PBS Series History Detectives) and a team of experts from Cowan’s Auctions will conduct free appraisals of the public’s antiques and collectibles from 10 am-4 pm at Old Worthington Library.
Appraisals will focus on historical Americana, early photography, decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and works on paper. Items must be easily carried by hand. No stamps, coins, fine jewelry or weapons of any kind will be appraised.
If you’re interested in having items appraised, you must pick up a ticket for each item (limit is two tickets per person) prior to the event. Tickets for specific time slots (10 am, 2 pm, etc.) are now available at Old Worthington Library (820 High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085)
In addition to the appraisals themselves, Conservators from Old World Restorations, Inc. will also be on hand to inspect damaged and/or deteriorated art and antiques, and offer restoration advice. And for those who like to do their own detective work, Library Staff will offer demonstrations of Prices 4 Antiques, a premium antiques appraisal database that searches auction records from dozens of live auctions around the country.
For more information, call 807-2626.