Antiques Road Show-like event coming to Bedford

BEDFORD - Antique lovers need not show up at the Bedford's Antiques Road Show camera ready. It's not that Antiques Road Show, but the up-coming event at Scott Manor House in Bedford still promises an interesting and fun learning experience for those who have a passion for yesteryear.

Volunteers from the Fort Sackville Foundation did not intend to mislead folks by using the title of the well-know television program Antiques Road Show in their advertising campaign. They simply called it what it is - an antiques road show - and it does follow the exact same format as the televised program, just a smaller version without the cameras.

Participants are invited to bring in two items they would like to learn more about. Each piece will be studied by one of three knowledgeable and reputable appraisers on hand. Through careful inspection an appraiser can often identify an item and its uses, where, when and how it was made and an approximate monetary value.

"These aren't written appraisals," said local antique expert Louis Leroux. "Those require much more thorough inspections and research and could take a very long time to determine. Mostly we will be using our expertise to teach owners a little bit more about their treasures."

Personal collector

Leroux will be at Scott Manor House as an appraiser for the road show. He is a personal collector and among other things has published articles, taught lectures and has owned his own antique and collectable retail stores over the years.

Other appraisers on hand are Rosemary Beckett and Roger Crowther.

Beckett opened her first antique shop in 1970 and has participated in many antique shows around the Maritimes. She is a regular guest on CBC Radio's Maritime Noon phone-in show on the topic of antiques.

Crowther is an expert with the Canadian Antiques Road Show. He specializes in silver and has bought and sold a number of finds through Christie's and Sotheby's.

Bedford resident Elizabeth Landry will be first in line on appraisal day. She's hoping to find out a little more about a treasured piece that has been in her family for 80 years.

"My great, great grandmother won this plate as a prize for growing the best cabbage at a country fair," said Landry. "I also know it came from France. That's all I really know about it."

Leroux encourages people to bring in any piece they are curious about, and not to be afraid if it doesn't turn out to be worth a lot to anyone else but you.

"The big surprise monetary value is rare," said Leroux. "Typically, the real value of a piece is found in the family history and precious memories it holds for the owner."

blhall@eastlink.ca