Antique appraisial event to be held in Peters Township
Bob Schmitt with some of the antique toys he and his wife, Deanna own.
Some of the antique toys and models Bob and Deanna Schmitt own. They plan to take a few to be appraised.
South Hills residents looking to learn about the hidden treasures they may have lying around the house or tucked away in a forgotten portion of the attic or basement will be able to glean some information on the items at an upcoming antique appraisal event at the Metamorphosis Center in McMurray. The event will be held from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. May 22.
“The idea stems from the ‘Antiques Roadshow,'” said Melissa Migliaro, owner of Metamorphosis.
Ed Chess, a financial adviser whose office is in the center, has hosted similar events in the past, but this is the first one at Metamorphosis.
Antiques appraiser Richard Wagner of Sewickley will be on hand to evaluate all the items brought in to the center and give the owners more information on their treasures. He has been featured on “Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures” on KDKA-TV. He is also involved with several antique centers in North Strabane Township.
Wagner said that things people bring for appraisal are often family items passed down from several generations, and in the region, he often sees items from the 1900s to 1930s and many items from the depression era.
“Every once in a while, you’ll stumble upon something rare,” Wagner said. “The pursuit of finding that rare item is fun.”
Wagner said the criteria for something to be valuable is that it’s not “mass produced and has some uniqueness to it.”
Deanna Schmitt and husband Bob of McMurray are planning on attending the appraisal event.
“We’ve got a lot of stuff from my husband’s family and our friend’s mother is an antiques collector,” Deanna Schmitt said.
She said they are most curious about travel posters that her husband’s father had saved from his days working in the advertising department of the Pittsburgh Press in the 1950s. They have a number of posters from different countries, airlines and also a 7-Up poster.
“They just look groovy,” Deanna Schmitt said.
In addition, Deanna Schmitt said they are interested in knowing the value of other items they have collected like toys, trains, model airplanes and glassware.
The antiques appraisal event is free and open to the public and Migliaro added, “Our chef, Garnett Livingston is cooking delicious appetizers,” for attendees.
The Metamorphosis Center is located at 300 Cedar Hill Drive in McMurray. For details, call 724-260-0797 or visit www.metamorphosiscenter.us