Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Antiques Roadshow attendees come bearing items -- and hope

Antiques Roadshow attendees come bearing items -- and hope

Jul 30, 2005 - 23:16:03 CDT

By VIRGINIA GRANTIER, Bismarck Tribune

A Catholic nun was at the Bismarck Civic Center on Saturday, hoping to be of service -- to herself.

"We're hoping to make the big bucks," Sister Lydia Ann Braun said with a laugh.

Braun, based in Rome, Italy, but currently back home in North Dakota for a visit, wasn't at Mass this day. It was more of an en masse experience as she and her sister-sister, Jackie Hamel, stood in a line of hundreds -- a human chain positioned into switchback turns and loops so everyone could all fit into the allocated space.

People were smiley, mainly, as they visited with their line neighbors while carrying or tugging items and making their way from the arena toward the exhibit hall's room full of Antiques Roadshow appraisers.

Braun and Hamel's hope was that their cargo -- the oil lamp their family found in the attic of a 100-years-plus family farmhouse -- was so exquisitive, so incredible, so invaluable that they could sell it and make enough money to build an apartment onto Hamel's house in Bismarck for their mother.

Roadshow organizers expected to see about 7,000 people Saturday, each bringing two items.

It's expected that the day of filming in Bismarck will provide enough material for three "Roadshow" episodes to be aired sometime in spring of 2006, said Marie Lucero, promotions manager for Prairie Public Broadcasting Inc.

On Saturday, there were extra-fine finds -- an 1800s weather vane that the owner bought for $150 and was told it could be sold for $10,000 to $15,000. Surprisingly, she didn't look like she was ready to faint or sing the Hallelujah Chorus solo. Apparently, she is an antique dealer and had a clue before she was given the good news.

And there were items that looked to be valueless -- and very well might have been.

Like the stick.

Roadshow organizers reported seeing a man walk in with a stick. Not a carved stick but a stick-stick, a tree branch that looked as if he had plucked it out of the woods on his way to the show.

Appraisers, many from the East Coast, told the Tribune they didn't know what to expect. All those asked said they had never been to North Dakota, but they reported seeing exceptional things.

Simeon Lipman, a sports memorabilia specialist from New York City, appraised a postcard from when a Negro League team played in Dickinson in 1933. The postcard had been signed by all of the team members, including Satchel Paige. It was appraised it at $2,500.

Appraiser Phillip Weiss said a baseball collection he appraised from the 1950s was valued at between $10,000 to $20,000.

Appraiser Stuart Slavid, of Boston, said he was surprised at the quality and variety.

"I've seen a lot of good local pottery," he said.

Jim Hunt, a retired teacher from Devils Lake and a big Roadshow fan, said he wouldn't have missed the Roadshow for the world. He got the opportunity to meet the show's stoppers -- the famous appraisal twins, blond and personable Leigh and Leslie Keno. While Hunt had the chance to chat with one, the other was busy giving his appraisal of an old bathtub that wasn't just any bathtub. The tub segment was filmed and will be part of an upcoming show.

"It's like watching a soap opera and getting to meet (the stars)," Hunt said.

Sister Braun's lamp may end up sitting in an apartment, but it won't be paying for one. It's a turn-of-the-century French glass lamp worth $850 -- $1,200 if they had the lamp shade. Another item, a camera from the 1964 World's Fair that Braun's sister brought, was appraised at the monumental amount of $1.

"We can always dream," she said about the apartment.

She said it was all worthwhile. The wait was about 90 minutes, and while shuffling the lamp and other items along, there were many interesting people for the sister and her sister to meet. Her appraisal of that? Priceless.

(Reach reporter Virginia Grantier at 250-8254 or at vgrantier@ndonline.com.)

News > Local

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Comments

sister wrote on Dec 12, 2007 11:03 PM:

" your missed dearly buddy. "

guess wrote on Feb 13, 2007 12:19 PM:

" Thanks for putting MY efforts into the paper. You rock. No Alyysa, this is my idea. "

Alyssa Roller wrote on Jan 1, 2007 10:27 PM:

" hey . thanks for putting that sweet article in the news paper i just love when people can read about me ! well thanks love : alyssa roller "

Question? wrote on Dec 30, 2006 9:52 AM:

" How come is the school improvement director for DPI not a licensed teacher? Is this a patern the State Superintendent of Public Instruction has been doing for years? I've heard rumors to that effect. It would be nice if someone would check this out - and not only in the school improvment department. I think the State Superintendent should be held to the same standard as public schools are held to in North Dakota. Currently when schools hire teachers who do not have a current North Dakota Teacher's License, someone (the teacher) pays a fine ( I think it is about $ 100. per day.) I think what is good for the goose is good for the gander. DPI should be held to the same standard as teachers and the schools. "

Correction wrote on Dec 30, 2006 9:38 AM:

" The article states that "The plan provides further details to state assessments, which are currently given to fourth-, eighth- and 12th-graders and will eventually be expanded to other grades." This is incorrect. For the past 2 years the state assessments were administered to students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11. Twelfth grade students haven't been assessed for 3 years. "

Let's do it!! wrote on Oct 19, 2006 5:34 PM:

" Lets give back the whole state to the Native Peoples of this land. It's there's anyway!! "

Buck wrote on Aug 30, 2006 9:59 AM:

" Or whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaat! "

Kristin wrote on Aug 24, 2006 2:09 AM:

" Well i was searching for my friend Kelly Winn the snow boarder i meant from the max air show at a Carnival in Carbondale IL... i use to work with Harris Exoitics and we were set up right behind him... Kelly and i kept in touch for a while after but i guess i know why the letters stopped now. you know it sucks to have had to find out this was. i still thought of him from time to time hoping one day we'd see eachother again i cant believe i had to find out this way years later what had a happen. RIP Kelly. Im just sorry it took me this long to find out.. "

ummyeah wrote on Aug 16, 2006 10:39 AM:

" These comments aren't even about the article. Wow. "

washingtongirl1 wrote on Aug 3, 2006 3:30 AM:

" Wow! These comments don't even seem to apply...? Far too confusing for those who read, to even try to care. Hmmm, who screens this anyway? "

L33tmaster wrote on Jul 28, 2006 7:51 AM:

" I hate the government. They have no right to tell me what I can or can't do. I'll gamble online whenever i damn please. "

hunkpapa wrote on May 24, 2006 9:32 AM:

" The Gaming Division of North Dakota need to furhter investigate this man. He has been given a license to steal just as he did at Standing Rock. Banks accounts and other financial information needs to be collected and examined on how he was able to obtain the funds to purchase the establishment in Fargo. One would believe it was from the money that was obtined from the Standing Rock Tribe. Be where of this individual. "

Shannon wrote on May 16, 2006 11:49 AM:

" Whay happpend to this women is unbelivable but the article was to discriptive of the scene. Yes, we are curois about the events that surrounded her murder but to what extent? Could you emagine if you read about your grandmother this way.... what would be your feelings then?! "

berber wrote on May 8, 2006 6:50 PM:

" what is another bird in the pelican family "

kathy toohey wrote on May 4, 2006 12:26 AM:

" I never fully understood the vital lifeline that Greyhound is, or was according to the article. It is somewhat confusing, you don't know if they are going or coming back. All of the stories are everyday stories and these are the ones that should be heard, and considered in such a decision, community, and communities that were all connected by this one bus line, and the jobs that were connected with this company, to rid these individuals of this one required mode of transportation is totally uncalled for and should be rectified immediately. We have to remember what we are dealing with here, humans who by helping them, they help one another, and it continues on,and all concerned will benefit and they will make their money, they have to remember maybe their pockets are to full and might need some individuals to be held accountable for the reasons that this is happening at all. "

Bob Armentrout wrote on Apr 17, 2006 9:21 AM:

" Just a quick note, my wife (who is from the La Crosse, WI area) and I saw about 200 white pelicans on the Mississippi River, just south of Stoddard WI. She told me she had never seen pelicans in this area before. We saw the flock first on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006. Today, April 17, the flock has scattered some, mostly appearing to be in breeding pairs. If we see any nesting, we will post additional comments. "

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