Auctioneer Ted Pappas is a man with a lifetime of stories.
In his role as antiques and art appraiser, he will be in Sechelt tomorrow, June 3, to preside over an Antiques Road Show, a Friends of the Sechelt Library fundraiser at the Seaside Centre.
Coast Reporter contacted Pappas in his Vancouver offices to find out how the man who carries on a family tradition of fur trading has also become a connoisseur of antiques, curios, art and European and Native artifacts.
It's all about treasure hunting.
"I've always been fascinated by art galleries and antique stores," he says. "I became interested in the Spanish Colonial period and collected Spanish coins or pirate coins. It's a bit of the pirate coming out in me."
Grandfather Pappas emigrated from the north of Greece to New York and took a $25 train ride across America. He eventually came to live in Prince George. By 1916, he opened his own grocery store and related well to the Native trappers of the area. Remembering New York's famous fur auction, Pappas decided to try the same idea by buying and selling furs. He was successful, but went broke in 1929 like many others. The family business rose again in Vancouver, and his grandson, Ted Pappas, has expanded to trade in antiques and art.
"We've had some great things come out of Sechelt," Pappas recollects, referring to his previous shows on the Coast that raised funds for the museum.
He explains that in any community with retirees, particularly ones of German heritage, family heirlooms can go back over 100 years. At a previous Coast event, one participant brought a 17th century German crossbow to the show. One of the most interesting items was an antique pocket watch, also from Germany. Though small in size, it featured articulated moving figures just like the larger models. And this one also had a hidden compartment in it "for gentlemanly diversion," says Pappas. The secret, tiny figures posed in suggestive positions.
Tales abound of other items rescued from garbage cans or garage sales - for example, two collections of early Vancouver photos that someone had thrown away. At auction, the two went for $5,500 and $3,200 respectively. Here are some hints from Pappas: look for objects that have multiple fields of interest. He gives the example of a menu card from the Empress of Japan Pacific crossing in 1934. The owner of the menu had the far-sightedness to collect the signatures of an American baseball team, including that of Babe Ruth, on their way to an exhibition game in Japan. It earns double value because it is of interest to baseball fans and to ship memorabilia collectors.
The appraisers will not be buying the items at the show since that creates a conflict of interest with their estimates, but they will encourage the public to offer the item through their E-Bay sales outlet. It's a good solution, Pappas says, because it gives the owner the best market value for the item. Pappas describes how they once undervalued a unique item, a miniature, finely woven, Aboriginal cedar basket, unlike no other. Although the appraiser thought it might fetch $2,500, the owner wanted to sell immediately for quick cash, at $500. The appraiser encouraged him to put it to auction instead of settling for a quick sale. The basket finally sold for $17,500, the highest price ever paid for such an item.
Although West Coast Estates and the E-Bay online sales operate for profit, the road shows are strictly fundraisers. Pappas and several of his colleague appraisers donate their time. "It's a lot of fun and a community service," he says, one that can only enhance their reputation because this type of business relies on positive word of mouth and reference.
The road shows have helped raise funds for churches, museums and libraries. Gael Johnstone of the Friends of the Library says the funds raised by the Sechelt show will assist with children's literacy, large print books and technology upgrades.
The Antiques Road Show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at the Seaside Centre. There are no reservations. It's first come, first served, but you will be given a number and an estimated time of when appraisers will get to your item. There is a maximum of three items. If you have a large item, bring a photo instead. Fee is $8 for one item, $15 for two, $20 for three, with all funds in support of the Sechelt Library.
