Lyme-Old Lyme High School’s History Club member Ian James (seated) looks on as Carol Brevard of Brevard Appraisal and Estate Services examines an antique lamp at the Old Lyme Historical Society’s antiques appraisal event “Vintage!” in March 2012.

Vintage!, the Old Lyme Historical Society’s antiques appraisal event that benefits their scholarship fund, will take place on Sunday, March 17, between 1 and 5 p.m. at the Old Lyme Town Hall.

This year Steven Lutar of the Guilford Coin Exchange will join the outstanding group of returning appraisers, Isaiah Griffith, Curt Wendler, Nancy Hoffman, and Carol Brevard, that were present at last year’s popular event.  The appraisers’ collective expertise covers a broad range of antiques specialties including books, toys, textiles, farm tools, precious metal jewelry, artwork, and coins.

Each verbal appraisal costs $5 per item and there is a three item limit per person.  If you’re a fan of the “Antiques Roadshow” or if you have been wondering what some of your vintage items are worth, then this event is for you.

Some background information on this year’s appraisers follows:

• Steven Lutar is the owner of The Guilford Coin Exchange.
• Isaiah Griffith’s expertise is in vintage toys, hunting, fishing, and military items, current and antique gold, silver and precious metal items, jewelry, flat and hollow ware and decorative items.  He is the fourth generation in a family of antique dealers.  Griffith is the owner of Griffith’s Antiques at 42 Main Street, Centerbrook.
• Curt Wendler has been in the book business buying and selling fine used books for over 30 years, his background includes experience with firms in New York and New Haven, 10 years as co-owner of Centerbridge Books in Essex, and more recently as the owner of a private book company in Old Saybrook.  He will examine books, autographs, photos, posters, and ephemera.
• Nancy Hoffman, an Old Saybrook resident, is a long-time antiques dealer specializing in textiles and early country items.  She will appraise textiles, linens, coverlets, quilts, sewing, kitchen items, farm implements, and primitive country furniture.
• Carol Brevard of Brevard Appraisal and Estate Services has been certified through Rhode Island School of Design and ASA to handle your valuation questions.  A thorough researcher, she is a very able generalist in the antiques field and is known for her diligence, professionalism, and compassion in estate liquidation.  In addition to antique items in general, she will appraise paintings, prints, engravings and other art work, pottery, ceramics and related items.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Old Lyme Historical Society’s scholarship fund.  Each year a scholarship is awarded to an Old Lyme senior who plans to major in history in college.  Students living in Old Lyme, including those who attend schools elsewhere, are eligible to apply.

To make a donation, send a check to OLHS, PO Box 352, Old Lyme, CT.

For information on how to apply for the scholarship, email info@oldlymehistorical.org.

For further information about the “Vintage!” event contact the Old Lyme Historical Society at 860-434-0684.

To find out more about the Old Lyme Historical Society and its interesting activities, explore their web site or stop by its office in the Genealogy Room at the Old Lyme–Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library.  Hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

To volunteer with the Old Lyme Historical Society, look for opportunities on the Old Lyme-Lyme Volunteer Connection website