A 'fair' day at the library

MILLERTON — At the NorthEast-Millerton Library's antique appraisal, book fair and bake sale Saturday, Russell Carlsen from Carlsen Gallery in Greenville and Steven Kahn from Kahn’s Antique and Estate Jewelers in Great Barrington, Mass., appraised and valued antiques brought in by residents.

Marilyn Nichols had a 1912 edition of "The Sinking of the Titanic," by Logan Marshall, and a Tiffany-style lamp to be appraised.

"This helps me solve my curiosity about these items," Nichols said. "I found the book in my parents’ house and I asked them about it when I was a child."

Both Kahn and Carlsen used their expertise, as well as an iPhone which had Internet access, in order to appraise the antiques.

"You look in it and you kind of get drawn into it," Nichols said. "It has all their names [the Titanic victims] in it."

"It’s quite a memento," Carlsen said. "The books tops out [online] at $102 but there are copies online anywhere from $20 to $40."

Nichols did not seem disappointed about the value.

"My curiosity is solved," she said.

Kahn said he and Carlsen saw a wide range of items during Saturday’s event, including one extremely valuable item.

"Someone brought in an extraordinary Masonic jewel," Carlsen said. "It came from around 1900 and it was set with diamonds and rubies. It was quite a thing and it originally came from a lodge in Philadelphia. We still are researching it."

Other people brought in artwork, lamps and very dusty yet vintage books published in the 19th century.

"The turnout last year was so fantastic that we brought them back this year as a service to the community," library board president Diane Price said. "Everybody has something in their attic. If they are worth something, this is probably the year that you need what they are worth."

As antiques were being assessed in the library, outside a book fair and bake sale were held to support the library’s programs.

"We have a lot of books," Price said. "It’s a beautiful day with good people. I hope people enjoyed it."