The W.H. Stark House Welcomes Antiques Roadshow's Beth Szescila
August 15, 2007
THE W.H. STARK HOUSE
NELDA C. AND H.J. LUTCHER STARK FOUNDATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Patsy Herrington
The W.H. Stark House
(409) 883-0871
whstarkhouse@starkadmin.org
ORANGE, Texas, August 15, 2007 - Popular antiques appraiser Beth Szescila will offer an encapsulated version of her Rice University course, "Appraisal Tips for the Savvy Collector" on September 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lutcher Theater. The lecture, sponsored by the W.H. Stark House, is free of charge and will offer tips and guidelines for both novice and experienced collectors.
Fans of the phenomenally popular PBS series Antiques Roadshow know Szescila as one of the show's regular appraisers. A member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), Szescila is double-certified in fine art and antiques and residential contents. In addition to her work with Roadshow and Rice University, Szescila is a professional speaker. She also runs an appraisal service in Houston.
It was an appearance on Roadshow that put her on the Stark House's radar.
Patsy Herrington, director of the W.H. Stark House, saw Szescila on the show, and noticed that she was from Houston. Herrington looked her up online and, after reading her bio, decided she had to call her. "After speaking with Ms. Szescila, we felt she would be a perfect speaker for the Stark House's lecture series," says Herrington. The lecture was originally scheduled for 2005 but was rescheduled due to Hurricane Rita.
During her lecture, Szescila will cover some of the misconceptions collectors often have about what makes an item more valuable than another. "Age and rarity don't necessarily make something worth a lot of money," says Szescila. "I also hope to take some of the mystery out of what makes two apparently similar objects vary so greatly in value."
She also plans to provide visitors with a set of guidelines to follow when buying at auction and online auction sites.
"I would like my audience to leave feeling like they are better able to judge a good buy from one they later regret," explains Szescila. "I want to help 'de-mystify' the world of antiques and help people to become more confident in their interactions with it."
Although Ms. Szescila will not be appraising items at the lecture, there will be a question-and-answer session.
Afterward, guests are welcome to visit the Carriage House, across the street from Lutcher Theater, to view the collections and enjoy light refreshments. For more information, call (409) 883-0871.
The W.H. Stark House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission. Tours begin at the entrance through the Carriage House at 610 W. Main Avenue and are available Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Regular admission is $5 per person and $2 for seniors age 65 and over and students ages 10-18.
For more information on the W. H. Stark House, or to make a tour reservation, call (409) 883-0871, or visit www.whstarkhouse.org.
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