MUSCATINE, Iowa – Are you curious about what that gold pocket watch from your great uncle is worth? Or the Tiffany-style lamp you bought at a yard sale?
On Saturday, Oct. 26, get your questions answered. Bring that old item to “Symphony of Treasures: Collectibles and Delectables” at The Rendezvous, 3127 Lucas St. The 5-9 p.m. event supports the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra and offers a bargain on appraisals.
But you can also come empty-handed. “You can enjoy the evening’s festivities, including the silent and live auctions, live music and the hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. With everything we have going on, this will be a night to remember,” said Carmen Bugay, president of the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra Association.
The evening will feature periodic explanations by the appraisers on how particular items are deemed valuable. Guests can also participate in a game to guess the values of selected antiques as well as bidding on auctioned items such as bouquet-a-month service from The Flower Gallery, catering by A Guy and a Grill, tickets to the Boston Pops at Hancher Auditorium, and some items from the Richard and Mary Jo Stanley estate, including an Iowa State University chair. Schroeder Auctions, LLC, will conduct the live auction.
Naim Bouchareb, who owns Renaissance Antiques/Iowa Oriental Rug Company in Davenport, expects to see some familiar faces as he and a helper offer appraisals at this event. “I have many long-time customers from Muscatine. Your community has been good to me.” Naim expects to return that good will to the Muscatine community and the symphony in particular.
While he specializes in antique rugs and lamps, Bouchareb and his assistant at this event will also assess the value of paper goods, pottery, jewelry, glass, art, tools and toys – anything that can be carried. Individual guests are asked to bring a maximum of two items, and Bouchareb reminds those interested in getting appraisals that anything 50 years or older is considered an antique.
This event offers a deal on appraisals with the $35 event ticket. Bouchareb said he typically charges $25 per item or for more valuable items, 3 percent of the piece’s worth.
Fundraising is very important for the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra. Per-concert outlay averages about $11,000, so the $15 adult concert admission only covers a fraction of operating expenses Our local symphony offers two free community shows and five MasterWorks performances each year.
“Symphony of Treasures” tickets are available at the customer service counter at Hy-vee, 1600 2nd Ave.; on the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra website, https://muscatinesymphony.org; at the door, or by calling (563) 264-2017.
