Residents who are thinking of downsizing have a valuable local resource available every week at the Community Center.

Local antiques dealer Richard Plunkett is bringing his 53 years of expertise to the Center every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon so that area residents can check the value of family possessions before items are casually discarded or sold.

He is a member of the New England Appraisers Association, the National Trust and the Victorian Society. A small appraisal fee ($5 for one item or $10 for three items) is donated directly to the Community Center. The items can be brought to the Center but he can also work from a photo or come to a home to see larger items.  

 Over the course of his career, he has seen the values of items rise and fall. “The market has changed drastically,” he said.

“Cups and saucers, Hummel figurines and glassware are all down lately.” Instead, items from the 1960s and 1970s are generating interest among collectors. Advertising items like signs from the 1890s to the 1970s are also valuable. 

But he added that original paintings, handmade furniture and primitive pottery are items that maintain a constant value.

He said it is a good idea to check the current value of any items that are insured because the values may have changed over the years.

He pointed out that there are different values for items: current market value, replacement value and collectible value. To qualify as an antique, an item must be at least 100 years old. Collectibles tend to be around 50 years old.  

Plunkett suggested some first steps for those who are downsizing: “Take things with you that you really love and cherish and then make sure that the family members select what they would like to have.” 

After that, have an expert help identify and appraise the remaining items.  And he reminds older family members to check with an attorney or tax professional about gifting items to family members or organizations because there may be tax advantages to gifting an item rather than cash.

In addition to providing appraisals at the Community Center, Plunkett is the founder of The Wizard of Odds and Ends antiques in Alna and also provides estate sales. He can be reached at 633-7423.