Whatz it Worth Event

If you live in, or plan to visit, the Santa Barbara area, join me for a public Whatz it Worth event at the Music Academy of the West on Sunday, April 10, 1 to 4 pm. I will offer assessments along with expert Craig Evan Small of the Antiques Road Show, a leader in the field of antique jewelry for four decades. Don’t miss this wonderful day to see the beautiful Music Academy and show two experts WHAT you GOT!

While Craig will evaluate gems, coins, fine jewelry, and watches, I will evaluate art and antiques, and more (see list below). Tickets are available in two tiers: $100 buys you an evaluation, and $25 buys you a spectator ticket. Click here to purchase tickets online.

Select the time best suited to your Sunday. Small personal sessions take place at 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. Pick the expert in your field of interest: me for art, antiques, collectibles, and Craig for anything jewelry related. The Woman’s Auxiliary presents this fundraising, fully tax deductible, event benefitting SING! Children’s Choir of Santa Barbara County.

Categories Craig and I will give verbal estimates for that day:

• Gem stones
• fine jewelry
• watches
• coins and currency
• vintage couture
• vintage hats
• militarism
• tribal artifacts
• glass of any kind (shapes, patterns, cut, pressed and blown, painted or engraved)
• china, ceramics, porcelain
• Asian collectibles: rugs, tapestries and quilts
• wooden boxes and antique banks
• sterling silver and gilded pieces
• Judaica and religious objects
• antique toys and dolls
• midcentury modern ANYTHING
• paper ephemera
• posters
• portfolios
• fine art: paintings and prints, engravings, watercolors, portraits
• bronzes and other sculptures
• porcelain figurines and plates
• books and illustrated books
• costume jewelry
• kitchen collectibles
• early electronics
• linens and antique purses
• formal tableware

Exceptions: NO stamp collections, BIG furniture, or weapons.

We won’t give written appraisals, but a fun and entertaining verbal approximation of value.

Craig Evan Small

Because you already know me, I won’t introduce myself, but I MUST introduce you to my partner for that event, Craig Evan Small. Maybe you saw him if you watch the Antiques Road Show. Based in Los Angeles, his story with jewelry goes back to his family’s business in 1938 in the city where I grew up, Chicago. The business moved to Los Angeles in 1948 as suppliers to fine retail jewelry shops. Small Family Jewels outfitted many a celebrity!

Before Craig graduated from high school he knew how to expertly grade diamonds, and went to work for a wholesale diamond trader. What a scene that must have been! In the 1980s he recognized the growing interest in estate and vintage jewels, and fast became an expert in retro, vintage, and Art Deco jewelry. He supplied to the trade until 1994, when he opened his own shop, Craig Evan Small Antique Jewelry in the exclusive Antiquarious Jewelry Mall in West Hollywood. He is an expert in time pieces, high-end watches, and of course, gems and jewelry. His memberships include the International Watch and Jewelry Guild, and the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

Let me offer you a list of some of the wonderful FINDS Craig and I see at various events such as this Music Academy show.

ELIZABETH’S TOP TEN:

1. In Las Vegas, a 1869 surveyor’s tool, mounted on a gold plated tripod, accompanied by a photo of the client’s great-great-grandfather at the ceremony. Turns out this piece of technology located the spot for the golden stake which joined the Transcontinental Railroad to the Central Pacific to the Union Pacific, uniting the country with railways. Unbelievable value!
2. In San Diego, an Antique Handel Glass painted Humidor (these held tobacco in the 1900’s) with a highly non PC native American figure represented, valued at $500
3. In Santa Barbara, a painting by California Impressionist Guy Rose, the protégé of Monet, valued at $1 million
4. A Dutch Bible from 1618. Why wonderful? Guttenberg’s press still printed Bibles; first in 1452; this, not Guttenberg, but EARLY. Value $1,200
5. In Morristown NJ, a rare French automaton dancing money wind up toy in jewel bird cage from the 18th century. Value $5,000
6. In Philadelphia, a large opera cloak from Fortuny, worn by a male fashionista in 1910; Fabulous folds of silk in violet to deep purple. Value $8,000
7. In New York, a concertina (accordion) brought over from Italy with an immigrant family. Not of huge value but still payable, and I got to hear the song the great-grandfather played on the ship coming here
8. In San Diego, a clock purported to come from the 1700s. It turned out to have an electric cord. I guess somebody told the family a fable about the origin; myth is usually more weighty than scientific fact. No electricity in those days, gang
9. In Boulder, a wonderful Van Briggle Persian blue flower jardinière and frog. Van Briggle’s studio was in Colorado Springs in the 1920s. Value $800
10. In Chicago, a Murano glass epergne carried into the show by a little old lady. A problem, because those things measured about three and a half feet tall, composed of detachable glass arms, bowls, and parts. What’s an Epergne? On a 19th century formal table they filled the centerpiece with fruit, nuts, flowers, and sweetmeats. Value $900

Now Craig’s STELLAR list:

1. A 1940s Tissot Chronograph with a black dial; the family purchased it back when for a few dollars, and today it’s a $30-40K watch
2. Similarly, a vintage Longines from the 1950s purchased for peanuts and selling now in the five figures (choice men’s watches can be UNBELIEVABLY valuable)
3. A six carat Kashmir Sapphire Ring by Bailey Banks and Biddle, square cut, sold for $250,000
4. Rolex Daytona number 6265 in 18K yellow Gold $150K
5. Rolex Daytona 6263 Stainless $100K
6. Oyster Perpetual Calendar Rolex number 6062, (a Perpetual calendar watch has a mechanical “memory” of thousands of days) selling for $150K
7. From a notable male celebrity in Hollywood, a Constantin Vacheron Skelton Minute Repeater at a half a mill
8. Hundreds of Cartier BIG necklaces
9. All GREAT watches have nick names, and these are great finds, such as the Paul Newman Steel Daytona Rolex, valued at over $350K
10. Vintage watches (this makes me feel old) from the 1970s can be valuable if they have the LOOK