People love to watch the PBS show, Antiques Roadshow, for the thrill of finding that the vase that’s been sitting on the mantel for years is really worth thousands. Create a similar event in your community by hosting your own appraisal showcase.
Enlist the help of a local antique dealer to appraise items brought in from the public. Sell tickets to the event based on the number of items a person wants appraised. Offer a discount if multiple tickets are purchased together, like 6 appraisals for the cost of 5.
This is a win-win-win for all involved. Your organization makes money from ticket sales and concessions, the antique dealer gets some great publicity and some good leads on quality antiques, and the attendees get their questions answered about their favorite artifacts.
By hosting this fundraising event each year, it will grow in popularity and draw people from a wider area. Be sure to advertise in the local paper, and prepare flyers to hang at local antique stores, the grocery store, churches, and senior activity centers.
Our Southwest Missouri Office on Aging is planning an antique appraisal fund raiser next Spring and would like advice from those who have held these events. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Jeannette,
I’ll put your request out to our twitter and facebook communities. I’m sure others have advice to share.
Cathy