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34 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 8, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artiques Roadshow sheds light on family treasures By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER As John Mitchell unwraps the newspaper that he has protectively wrapped around a family treasure, he can't resist parlaying its lore. "My uncle used to throw this decanter top when he was angry, it's amazing it has survived," said Mitchell. He and about 400 other curious collectors brought their heirlooms and stories to Hopedale Mall, to get expert opinions about their background and worth from the appraisers of the popular British Artiques Roadshow. The group made a repeat visit to town last Friday and Saturday. Artiques appraiser Henry Jones estimates that Mitchell's two carafes and stoppers were likely made between 1870 and the turn of the century. They're not crystal, but would be worth about $200 each, nonetheless. Mitchell has no intention of selling the inherited pieces because they are odes to a bevy of childhood memories, of time spent in a rustic cottage in Hereford, England. Mitchell's wife Patricia next puts a tiny silver snuff box on the cushioned blotter that is Jones' makeshift workspace in the mall. The engraver's marks seen with a loupe prompts Jones to flip the pages in a nearby reference book. The engraved `JW' likely means the box is the work of silversmith John Willmore, somewhere around BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER CRITICAL APPRAISAL: Henry Jones from the Travelling British Artique Roadshow appraises a water jug for Randolph and Colleen Leney and their granddaughter Rachel Kennedy at Hopedale Mall. 1835, Jones told her. "It's a beautiful piece of silver. The workmanship is incredible and a nice weight at 0.4 ounces," said Jones. It's valued at roughly $200300. But the price could grow if Mitchell does her homework. This is exactly what she intends to do. Her daughter Kate Vuckovic also plans to hit the reference books and talk to a gemologist about the tiny salmon-coloured coral pieces contained in a preSecond World War, tin Players cigarette box. "We'll enjoy these pieces a lot more if we know about their past. And the search for information is part of the fun too," said Vuckovic. Randolph and Colleen Leney were next in line, waiting to know more about the decorative water jug that has been in their family for three generations. In raised letters the word `Sanitary' is arched across its top and `Water Jug' run in a convex arch underneath an image of a stag. The blue tinged vessel rested on a mantel in Leney's grandfather's childhood farm home in Quebec. The tap at the bottom dispensed milk. That was the last time it was used practically. Leney's father displayed it on his kitchen counter before handing it over to his son. "We had it stored away in a box at home but always wondered what it was worth," said Leney. So, they paid the $10 fee to have it assessed by appraiser Jones. Potters didn't leave the telltale marks engravers did, but Jones determined its origin dates from 1880 to 1910 and although not a rare piece, these stoneware pots are sought after by Canadian collectors and would fetch upwards of $300 and perhaps $500. "I just might sell it one day," said Leney. "I don't have a real attachment to it." Last June when the British Artiques Show traveled through 12 communities across western and central Canada, more than $27.5 million in family heirlooms were discovered. Some of those best finds came from the smallest communities in Canada, including a paperweight a lady brought in worth $17,000 and a million dollar painting that had been left under a bed for more than 20 years, said Roadshop expert and TV personality David Freeman. Many of the tour's best stories will be told in the new Canadian TV series hosted by Freeman called Treasures that Talk. Milestones 905-845-3824 Anniversary Anniversary Engagement Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary Audrey & Robert Fra Celebrating fifty golden years of In Honour of the 50th WILLE / HIGGINS Wedding Anniversary of Stephan and Claire Wille of Oakville Love from Joseph and Cathy, Vincenzo, Tony and Teresa, Tony & Janelle, Vincenzo and Kristen and all your loving grandchildren; Vincent (Matthew), Joseph, Jessi, Joseph, Salvatore (Sammy), Sarah, Vanessa, Michael and Evan. Salvatore & Asmara Lepera p Congratulations Lots of love from all of your family. are pleased to announce the engagement of their son Gordon to Jennifer Higgins, daughter of Blake and Marilyn Higgins of Fonthill. A Spring 2007 wedding is planned. 905-845-3824