Expect The Unexpected At Upcoming Dixon May Fair Antiques Sale

Spring-cleaning season is just around the corner, so how convenient is it that Twin Bridges is set to host its 10th Annual Antiques Show and Sale on the grounds of the Dixon May Fair this weekend?

Anyone who's been curious to find discover the values of their antiques will have access to Larry Hull, longtime Twin Bridges Antiques Fair appraiser.

“Sometimes I feel like I'm the only man in a mining camp who knows what gold looks like,” Hull said with a laugh. “By that I mean what I do as an appraiser is actually more rewarding and exciting than what you may see happening on a TV show like Antiques Roadshow. There, you just see the final results of what I call the 'detective work' and, of course the price quote.”

As both an appraiser and antique collector, Hull has unearthed some incredible finds.

One of his favorite antiques stories concerns a nurse who discovered a treasure in the cushions of a couch. The nurse was helping an elderly woman pack her belongings in readiness for a move to a nursing home. During the move, the nurse found what looked like a vase for very small flowers hidden under the cushions of an armchair.

Curious, the nurse brought it to Hull to find out what its function could be. Turns out, according to Hull's encyclopedic antiques knowledge, this curious object was a Tiffany toothpick holder made of hand-blown glass and worth $2,500.

“It was just spectacular,” said Hull, “violet around the rim and greenish-gold below when I held it up to the light.” Another time Hull was shown a cribbage board carved from a walrus tusk that had maps of the Alaska gold fields etched on its flat underside, which its owner had thought was just abstract decoration. 

Hull said he loves to tell antiques stories during the appraisal process and has had many wonderful experiences over the years to relate. “If you find something up in the attic you've been wondering about, bring it on down, maybe I'll be able to identify a treasure for you,” Hull said.

Hull will be working at the Appraiser's Station with Steven Yvaska, who is knowledgeable in the areas of antique American art pottery, glass, jewelry, holiday collectibles, ocean liner memorabilia, silver and postcards.

In addition to appraisals, the Antiques Fair is, of course, about sales. Dozens of exhibitors from around California and Western states will have "...glass, china, porcelains and pottery; American and European furniture and furnishings; primitives and American country; sewing, buttons, linens, lace, quilts, and vintage clothing; sterling and silver-plate flatware and hollow-ware; prints, paintings, and paper collectibles; and a fine selection of vintage jewelry and accessories,” all available for sale, according to the Twin Bridges' press release.

The sheer volume of merchandise is almost enough to make one wonder if all our ancestors had time for was the manufacture of antiques.

A portion of proceeds from the sale will help support Dixon Soroptimists' designated charities. As always, the Soroptimists will provide refreshments for fairgoers. The appraisals and sales will take place at the Dixon May Fair Grounds Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m.,  to 5 p.m., and Sunday, March 13, 10 a.m. to  4 p.m.