Dr. Lori standing with father and daughter holding quilts

All three stories below are very valuable inheritances handed down in the family that were discovered at my antiques appraisal events. I always tell you–it’s in your house, but you all are too busy shopping and looking for valuable art, antiques, collectibles at a yard sale.

At your next holiday dinner, look around your relatives’ houses and ask them to pass down the antiques you want. Many times your family members just don’t know you want it and they end up giving a valuable antique to the landscaper or the cleaning lady because you didn’t ask for it. A lot of older folks make the mistake thinking younger generations don’t want their stuff. This is a big myth and here are three stories to prove it.

1. President Lincoln photograph

President Lincoln photograph

I met Barbara when she brought her President Lincoln photograph to my events at the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show in Pittsburgh, PA. Tip number one, listen to your Mother. Barbara’s Mom was an antique dealer who told Barbara to bring the photo taken by famous early photographer Matthew Brady only to me, Dr. Lori Verderame, for an honest appraisal so I could correctly identify and provide a true value for it. Learn more about Daguerreotypes and Early Photographs.

Like many families of antique dealers, her Mom knew I’d tell her the truth and I did. She didn’t think other dealers or appraisers would tell her daughter the truth about the antique. Antique dealers know I am the most reputable antiques appraiser out there. I told Barbara that her family has a 4,000 dollar photograph based on what I have seen other people really pay. Unlike others, no made up numbers here. Find out the three antiques values you must know so you don’t get taken.

2. Tiffany Glass vase

Tiffany vase

During one of my many appearances at the Pungo Strawberry Festival in Virginia Beach, VA, this Tiffany glass vase was discovered. The vase was handed down from the grandmother of this Dr. Lori fan and follower. When I told her about its history and 5,000 dollar value, she broke out in tears. Tiffany stained glass windows are valuable too.

Some vases are not marked so don’t make the mistake thinking unmarked vases are worthless. Many antiques are still valuable with no signature, see why. How many pieces have you passed over at flea markets or even thrown away because you didn’t see a mark or signature? Send photos of your unmarked pieces for my expert review. Don’t lose thousands because you didn’t want to send a photo or attend an antique appraisal event.

3. Quilts of the 1800s

Civil War Quilts

Do you have an old quilt? Ron and his daughter actually have two and they brought them to my events at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden in Pittsburgh, PA. Together both quilts were valued at 20,000 dollars retail. Again handed down in the family. Look around your house. Watch me show you how a ruler helped me date these quilts to the mid 1800s. With some blood on them, these applique quilts identify one of my three factors to look for in a valuable antique. Everyone wants a blanket statement, yes pun intended, but guidelines depend on the type of antique.

I know you still don’t believe your family has valuable stuff. Keep making that mistake. Many readers of my blog hope you continue to think your stuff is worthless. They want you to put it out on your front yard or sell it at auction in a box lot for a dollar so they can make a lot of money on your stuff. Get your stuff appraised. These people got an appraisal at no charge at my events. What did they have to lose? Well, they had 4,000 dollars, 5,000 dollars, and 20,000 dollars to lose.