Events Calendar

Antique Appraisal with Mark Moran

Saturday, November 15

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Location: Shorewood Village Center

Shorewood Public Library presents an antiques and collectibles appraisal event with renowned author and antiques expert, Mark Moran. 

Formerly senior editor of Antiques and Collectibles Books for Krause Publications, Moran has also been a contributing editor for Antique Trader, editor of Antique Review East and editorial director of F+W Media's Antiques Group. Moran was also a guest expert on the PBS program, Antiques Roadshow, for 9 seasons.

He is the author or co-author of more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles. Moran bought and sold antiques for more than 30 years, specializing in vintage folk art, Americana, and fine art. He has been active as an appraiser of antiques and fine art for more than 20 years.

NOTE: Pre-registration for appraisals is required. Register for an appraisal by calling the library at 414-847-2670. Appraisals will be scheduled in order in one-hour blocks of time (11-12, then 12-1, then 1-2). Limit one appraisal per household. The total number of appraisals will be capped at 40. There is no cost for the appraisals, and the event is also free for anyone to attend and view the action.  

Categories of objects for appraisal may include:

• Americana, including autographs and historical documents.
• Fine art, including paintings, drawings, prints and statuary.
• Furniture (usually smaller pieces are best).
• Ceramics, including figural pottery, vases, dishes, kitchenware and stoneware.
• Glassware, including marbles and souvenir items.
• Vintage photographs, including snapshots, tintypes, ambrotypes and daguerreotypes.
• Advertising, including posters, lithographed tin, paper and figural objects.
• Folk art, including carvings, quilts, weathervanes, windmill weights and "outsider" art.
• Assorted toys, including dolls (bisque, composition and plastic), windups and mechanical banks.
• Metalware, including iron, bronze, brass, pot metal, silver, silver plate.
• Clocks, including mantel, hanging and figural.
• Costume jewelry, including brooches, bracelets, earrings.
• Musical Instruments, including string, wind and reed instruments.
• Antique and vintage lighting of all kinds.
• Books.
• Sports Memorabilia.

Excluded items: all weapons, including swords and knives (though folding knives with advertising are accepted); traps (like leg-hold); Nazi memorabilia; coins and paper money; fine jewelry, including precious gems; Beanie Babies.

Questions about objects not covered here can be submitted to Mark Moran in advance to determine if they are appropriate. Suggested categories for advance inquiry include, but are not limited to: Oriental, Native American and other tribal objects (African, Oceanic); ancient artifacts (Egyptian and other early cultures); fossils and minerals; automotive items; nautical and military-related objects; records; antique tools and technological objects (typewriters, cameras, assorted machinery or instruments for scientific measure, like sextants, telescopes, microscopes, etc.). When in doubt, email inquiry can often address this. Mark can be reached via email at moranm1953@gmail.com or by phone at 715-281-5060. 

Opinions of value are informal, and may not be used for insurance or charitable donations, which require a certified appraisal.

Moran is also available to make home visits for people with big things, or fragile things (or a lot of things). House calls are $75 an hour and there is no mileage charge if within 10 miles of the appraisal event site. To arrange, call 715-281-5060 or email moranm1953@gmail.com.