Staff Reports
What’s it worth? That question was asked a lot Thursday evening at Ivy Tech Foundation’s inaugural Antique Comedy Show held at Factory 12 Event Loft.
World-renowned antique and art historian/appraiser Dr. Lori Verderame brought her show to town for this fundraiser co-sponsored by the Foundation and Bartholomew County Historical Society. Attendees were invited to bring items to have Verderame take a look at family heirlooms, antique store and yard sale purchases in hopes there was a hidden gem stored in a closet.
“Dr. Lori combined our community’s interest in unique antiques and rare relics with an entertaining presentation that connected with the audience,” said Therese Copeland, executive director of resources at Ivy Tech Community College — Columbus. “We are so grateful to the community members who joined us and the sponsors who made this event possible. It was a wonderful experience that has a direct and beneficial impact for our Ivy Tech Columbus students and programming at the Bartholomew County Historical Society.”
Antique appraisal was just part of the entertainment on tap, though. Some thought this could have been more properly titled Comedy Antique Show, with a large emphasis on Verderame’s unique sense of humor.
The tone was set early when her first item for evaluation was a ticket to what would have been Elvis Presley’s next concert date in Lexington, Kentucky., dubbed “The Concert that Never Happened.” Presley died Aug. 16, 1977 and the concert was set for Aug. 23, 1977.
Ivy Tech chancellor Dr. Steven Combs was given that ticket by his father. Verderame had Combs come up to talk about the ticket that led to an impromptu chorus of “Jailhouse Rock” and Elvis-style dance moves. Valderame valued the ticket at $75, but Combs pointed out the handwritten note from his father on the back of the ticket, making it much more valuable to him, a point Verderame agreed with.
Verderame holds a doctorate from Penn State University in art history and served on the faculty there as well. She is the appraiser for the History Channel’s “The Curse of Oak Island” and Discovery channel’s “Auction Kings.” She has also appeared on numerous other television shows drawing on her talent to evaluate artifacts. Per her website drloriv.com, she is also an internationally syndicated columnist and the author of 30 books.
What isn’t apparent in her biography is where Verderame’s wit and sense a humor came from, although she did give hints about growing up in her Italian family. Not everyone who brought something for her to appraise got good news about its value. However, when she delivered the news that “How to Talk to Girls,” was worth about $15, she did so in such a way that the book’s owner, though likely disappointed, understood how she arrived at the decision.
Appropriately enough, education is a part of her show as well. When looking at any particular piece she explained what made it valuable, or what detracted from its value. She would explain the materials that went into making a particular piece and how if was likely made.
Everyone wasn’t disappointed with what Verderame had to say about their piece of, um, art. Other items she looked at included jewelry, artwork (framed and unframed), china, candleholders (whose owner admitted they worked well as shot glasses, too) and several one-off items.
The most valuable piece Verderame saw was a wooden carousel horse its owner discovered behind a hidden wall in the attic of a house he bought the entire contents of when the homeowner passed away.
She placed a value of $6,000 on the horse. Another high-value item was a framed “re-strike” or lithograph of a Rembrandt and $500 of the $1,750 value was due to its frame. An Asian bridal box was valued at $1,400.
