Heritage Day:
Antique Appraisals and a Celebration of Local History

Saturday, May 6, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
First Parish Church, East Derry

A town-wide celebration of local history that might just give you cause to celebrate!

Curious about the value of that favorite piece in your china cabinet or that odd item from a distant relative? Now's your chance to find out what they're worth, and to have a little fun besides.

Scour your attic and basement for potential heirlooms, then join us for this antiques appraisal fundraiser at First Parish Church in historic East Derry Village. Fresh from their appearances on PBS' popular Antiques Roadshow, two expert appraisers from Boston's Skinner Auction House will be on hand to review and appraise your items: Stewart Whitehurst and James Callahan (see below).

To round out the day, we're also featuring:

• Displays of regional history and artifacts from the Derry History Museum, with Town Historian and popular author and storyteller Richard Holmes.
• A presentation and display about First Parish Church — the earliest center of the entire Nutfield area — with noted local historian Marilyn Ham and the FPC Historic Preservation Committee.
• A sale of beautiful flowers and perennials, including several native and historical species.
• Refreshments and lunch throughout the event, including samples of treats that Derry's early settlers might have enjoyed.

Check elsewhere on this page for appraisal details and other information, and be sure to come early that Saturday. (If you would like to help out with this fun project, please call Richard Tuerck at 432-8864.)

Antiques Appraisal

Appraisers from Skinner, Inc. Auctioneers and Appraisers of Boston and Bolton MA will provide verbal appraisals on a first-come, first-serve basis. The cost is $10 for one item, $25 for three (with a maximum of three appraisals per person).

Please bring photos of large furniture or other awkward pieces instead of the actual items. You are responsible for carrying your own items into and out of the facility. The hall is handicap-accessible. Please see the FAQs to the right for more details.

Two experienced Skinner appraisers will be on hand.

STUART WHITEHURST
Vice President
Director of Rare Books & Manuscripts

Stuart Whitehurst came to Skinner in January of 1995 with over eleven years of experience in the field of fine and decorative arts. Stuart was instrumental in establishing Skinner as a leading source for all manner of historical documents, including books, manuscripts, letters, and autographs. This market is one of the fastest growing and strongest at auction.

Beyond his knowledge of rare books and manuscripts, Stuart is a renowned senior generalist appraiser with extensive knowledge of Latin American Paintings; prints and manuscripts; and English, Continental and Chinese decorative works of art and furniture from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. He is a favorite on the PBS series The Antiques Roadshow and regularly conducts appraisal days and benefit auctions for non-profit and charitable organizations. He is also a leading auctioneer at Skinner and has lectured before numerous audiences, including the Appraisers Association of America.

Stuart is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and is currently an Associate Member of the International Society of Appraisers.

JAMES CALLAHAN
Director of Asian Works of Art

James Callahan joined Skinner in the fall of 1997 as Director of the Asian Works of Art, after nearly three decades as a private dealer. He specializes in all aspects of Asian art, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Khmer, Thai, Burmese, Ottoman Turkish, Armenian, Arabic, Persian and Indian objects.

Jim, as he is known by his friends and colleagues, oversees all aspects of Skinner's specialty auctions of Asian Art, which feature fine furniture and decorative arts from Asia and 19th-century America, as well as fine silver from the 18th to the 20th century. He also appraises all Asian works of art regularly featured in Skinner's auctions of English & Continental Furniture and Decorations.

Jim is a foremost expert on Asian art, culture, and customs, and his auctions and gallery walks are fraught with the stories, legends, and folklore of thousands of years of Asian history. He is a frequently sought after resource of Asian art expertise and he often works closely with museums, historical societies, and independent art groups nationwide. Jim recently teamed with the Brooklyn Museum of Art to bring to auction over 200 important pieces of Southeast Asian art from the collection of Samuel Eilenberg.

Jim began his fascination with the arts of Asia when he participated in his first antique show in Quincy, Massachusetts, at age 11, assisting Hazel Sjobers of Hatherly Shop. Jim conducts appraisal days for non-profit and arts institutions year-round.