Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:49 PM CDT
Residents turn out to sell antiques at roadshow
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — Tough economic times have some people hunting for buried treasure in their closets, basements and other storage areas.
Barb Hipsher said Treasure Hunters Roadshow’s business has grown in recent years as clients have brought in old jewelry, coin collections and more to sell.”
“With today’s economy, this is an extra income source for people who have lost their jobs,” said Hipsher, manager of the current event in Charleston.
The show, which began Tuesday, will continue 9 a.m.-6 p.m. today-Friday and and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in the Worthington Inn, 920 W. Lincoln Ave. Hipsher said this show is being held by the Springfield-based team, one of 23 teams the Treasure Hunters Roadshow company has launched since its 1996 founding.
The roadshow unit had paid more than $14,000 for items in the first day and a-half in Charleston, Hipsher said.
Hipsher said the company also works with a lot of people who are looking to clear out vintage jewelry and other personal belongings that have been collecting dust in storage. She said some older people choose to do this if they do not have any children to inherit these belongings, or any children who are interested in these belongings.
“Once, a lady had checked out her jewelry box and said, ‘I am not wearing this jewelry anymore,’ so she brought it here,” Hipsher said.
Charleston resident Dennis Jacob said he turned out at the show to sell two $1 and two $2 “horse blanket” bills, circa 1899-1923, which are larger than modern bills. He said they had been “hanging around for a while” in storage at his home.
Charleston resident Nancy Grant sold a circa 1963 Harmony electric guitar that she bought in her youth and had not used much since.
“I taught myself. I wasn’t very good. I should have taken lessons,” Grant explained.
The guitar, minus its broken amplifier, sold for $85. Her husband, Dennis Grant, said they were able to clear space in their home and earn money for something they might have otherwise thrown away.
The Treasure Hunters Roadshow also looks for war memorabilia and vintage toys. Hipsher said the most valuable toys date from the 1920s-30s, particularly wind-up toys, but some 1960s Hot Wheels cars with red lines on the tires are highly sought by collectors.
“My employees have collectors they deal with personally. If it is an item they want, we have to ship it out that night,” Hipsher said, adding they pay clients on site.
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 238-6861.
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Mama says wrote on Oct 31, 2009 1:36 AM:
One picture in rummage sale she bought for $2.00. That and the frame worth $1000. The frame was the reason. hehe.
I told family gonna sell all and enjoy traveling. "