Happy 1st Birthday Regional Library Mayor's BBQ Hot Success

24 . the catoctin banner . September 2009
by Robert Abraham Jr.
C.A.P.P.-Certified Appraiser of Personal Property
appraisal@thecatoctinbanner.com
Our first item is a follow-up of an
appraisal on an item that was submitted
during our appraisal program back in
February at the Thurmont Regional
Library. Mr. M. and his wife brought
in an Epiphone Gibson Les Paul model
electric guitar. He had purchased the
guitar used in 1983.
During the program, I had an initial
look at the guitar and told them I could
not give them a fair appraisal of the
guitar without further research. So, after
asking him to contact me through this
column several months ago, I was finally
able to photograph the guitar and get the
information I needed for the research.
The first thing I did was to seek out an
expert in the field of string instruments.
Visit Our Market on
U.S. Route 15 at
N. Franklinville Rd.
301-271-2737
fax: 301-271-2850
www.catoctinmountainorchard.com
Open Daily 9am - 5pm
Open Weekends 9 am - 6 pm
Peaches • Apples • Plums
Blackberries • Pears
Yellow and White Nectarines
Tomatoes • Kale
Cabbage • Peppers •Potatoes
Fresh Baked & Frozen
Fruit Pies
Jams & Jellies • Crafts
Cut Your Own Flowers
Fall Mums
Coming Soon
Apple Cider & Grapes
what’s it worth?
antiques & collectibles
Mr. Lou Corsi
from Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania
is very
knowledgeable
about the Gibson
brand and
the Epiphone
significance.
When I had originally asked Mr. Corsi
if he could assist me with the value
on a Gibson Les Paul electric
guitar, I failed to mention the fact
that it had the Epiphone name
on the top as well. It gets a bit
complicated as to the variances of
the two companies, but the end
result is that the Epiphone product
is a more economical line of guitar
products. Mr. M ‘s guitar had
the original pickups replaced and
according to Mr. Corsi, the back battery
storage area could have been enlarged to
accommodate the different after-market
pickups.
After a lengthy conversation regarding
Mr. M’s guitar, Mr. Lou gave me a value
of $350.00-$400.00. I did a back search
on the eBay website and found 53 similar
guitars recently offered. Several were
listed at $550.00, but none of them sold
Specializing in
Maintenence Free
Home Exteriors
since 1989
301-416-0017
for that price. I found 15 similar guitars
that did sell in the $200.00-$400.00
range. So, after a rather lengthy and
educational process, I will go with Mr.
Corsi’s value on your Epiphone Gibson
Les Paul Electric guitar
of $350.00-$400.00.
Thank you Mr. M. for
your participation in our
Appraisal Day at the
Thurmont Library and
your patience with my
efforts!
Our next appraisal
comes from Jim who
writes, “I found this in the woods
behind my parents’ house. It’s in perfect
condition. It says “Water” on one side
and “Juice” on the other. It is marked
with ounces on the other sides. I looked
on-line and think it is Depression era.
What is it worth?”
Well Jim, I faintly recall seeing a
bottle similar to the one you pictured in
my Grandmother’s refrigerator. I believe
that it held prune juice. I did an internet
search to back up my sometimes poor
memory and I found several. They came
in clear, green, and brown glass colors.
Your bottle originally had a paper label
which gave the contents of the bottle.
Your bottle is missing the metal screw lid,
making its value approximately $10.00.
Thank you for the submission!
Here are some of the prices seen in
the local area: crock with a man’s face
painted in cobalt blue-$23,000.00;
John Bell four gallon crock with blue
decoration-$550.00; Van Briggle
Art pottery vase “Despondency”
approximately 16” in height with a
reclining nude around the top-$500.00;
Samuel Irvine crock with wreath
blue decoration-$900.00; Cowden
& Wilcox Man in the Moon blue
decorated crock-$2300.00; unsigned
four gallon jug with cobalt blue swan
decoration-$8250.00; early heavily
burled walnut dough bowl-$2700.00;
Winchester model 1884 rifle-octagon
barrel-.25-20 caliber-$625.00; Victorian
iron fence-approximately 40 feet with a
gate-$425.00.
You’re invited to submit items
for appraisal by mailing or emailing
a complete description along with
photographs to The Catoctin Banner
at appraisal@thecatoctinbanner.com or
P.O. Box 502, Thurmont, MD 21788
or drop your info at E+ Copy Center in
Emmitsburg.