As the first vestiges of the 2003 blizzard began to accumulate along King Street, everything from a reclining nude woman to political posters from 1960s anti-war demonstrations arrived at the Broadway Gallery in Old Town.
An eclectic array of art and antique collectors were bringing their treasures to be evaluated by Benedict Hastings on this wintery afternoon following Valentine’s Day. No one left without his considered opinion.
Twice a year, the gallery at 1219 King St., hosts a session with Hastings, a full service appraiser in the field of fine art, antiques, and decorative art. He offers his expertise for the purposes of insurance, donations, estates, and to satisfy plain old curiosity.
“We do this in the spring and the fall. This is our spring edition but you certainly wouldn’t know it from the weather,” said Anita Hagan, Gallery director. “But the turnout has been terrific. We had at least 30 people within the first hour.”
Some not only brought in objects d’art but also left with a new find. “We made a deal while we were here,” said Ann and Roger Smith of Alexandria. “We have our own gallery in Northern Michigan where we spend the summers. Fishing is a big thing there so I bought this antique fishing photo. I put it in that gallery.”
The political poster was brought in by a fan of former U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy. “I participated in those anti-war marches and we carried these signs,” she noted as she presented her unrolled memento of another war era.
Hastings handled it with great respect. “If I were you I’d take it home and frame it,” he implored. “And, keep me posted as to how it turns out.”
HASTINGS HAS BEEN appraising since 1976 and has resided in Washington, D.C., since 1980. Broadway Gallery hires him to do this semi-annually. He also serves as the gallery’s in-house appraiser, according to Hagan. His twice-yearly visits to give full verbal appraisals are free, according to Hagan. There is a charge for written appraisals.
Hastings has appeared as a guest appraiser on the television program “Trash and Treasurers” as well as serving as guest lecturer for the Smithsonian Institution, The Hillwood Museum, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He also has often brought his expertise to The Victorian Society.
One of the larger items of the day was an antique, rustic framed, painting of a nude woman in a reclining position. “It was a gift to my husband from a neighbor who was moving and didn’t want to take it with her,” Neema Randall explained as her husband, Alonzo, proudly held the piece for Hastings’ perusal.
Some of those gathered around Hastings, as he moved from one object to another, were surprised while others were somewhat disappointed. An “ancient” bronze Chinese vase brought in by Richard Eisinger of Old Town Alexandria turned out to be not so ancient. But, Hastings still dubbed it “a very nice piece.”
THEN THERE WAS the piece of Irish Belleek. Standing 18 inches high, it was white with silver inlay. Purchased at an estate sale for $1, Hastings valued it between $300 and $800.
A piece of camphor glass was pegged at $800, “if the crack on the side can be fixed,” Hastings cautioned. “It’s very hard to find good glass repair people.” The same couple had a glass ashtray once used on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. It was appraised at $100.
One of the most unusual items was a 1920s typewriter still in its original walnut carrying case. It was the treasurer of Donald Dere a resident of Seminary Valley. It came from an anthracite coal company in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Dere explained. “Some guy just gave it to me years ago,” he remembered.
Carrying the name Hammond Multiplex Typewriter on both the case and above the keyboard, its keys not only had the alphabet but also money signs in both American and English designations. Hastings put a $1,500 price tag on it.
Dere’s wife, Jeannette, didn’t do too badly either. Her copper Japanese tea pot with gold inlay and pewter handle was given pegged at $2,000.
Hastings pointed out that many things are not only valuable in dollars but also in emotional currency. “A friend of mine bought the chariot from Ben Hur. It’s now in his living room,” he revealed.
On the money side, he told the crowd that the last time one of the five pairs of red shoes worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz was sold they went for $350,000. That’s really a yellow brick road.