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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Ann and Ivan Russell have been collecting rare items for years. Last week they were able get an idea of what some of the pieces were worth when the Canadian Collections Roadshow visited the Coast Fraser Tower.

Nate Tung, left, and appraiser Danielle Ballard, both of Canadian Collectors Roadshow, greeted people looking to find the worth of rare items in their collections. The roadshow was held at the Coast Fraser Tower from Feb. 9 to Feb. 13. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

The Russells were one couple who had a chance to drop in to see appraisers from last Thursday to Monday afternoon. They brought along a ceramic pig-headed salt-and-pepper-shaker set which was made in occupied Japan during the late 1940s. The couple said the pieces were appraised for between $20 and $25.

"I collect anything that takes my eye - bowls, dishes and knick-knacks," Ann Russell said. "Just something that looks interesting."

She says she has been hooked, especially on collecting German Hummel figurines since 1982 when her husband Ivan bought her one.

She also showed a hand painted Delft cow figurine, which she said was made in the late 1940s and proved to be worth $10 to $15. She said her daughter bought it at a garage sale in Gander, Nfld., 20 years ago and that she loves the piece because of its uniqueness.

"Rarity is more important than age," she observed.

Nate Tung, who is the manager of the team that met people at the hotel, said this was the first time the show had been in Yellowknife that he was aware of, but that his team of appraisers is on the road all the time.

"We appraise stuff and anything we like, we buy or make an offer on that piece," Tung said.

On Saturday, he said he had not seen many pieces that had caught his attention. It was relatively quiet for Tung and fellow appraiser Danielle Ballard when Yellowknifer arrived but Tung's attention perked up when asked if he had seen anything interesting over his last year as manager with the company.

"Some crazy stuff," he said. "In Canmore, in December, we had a 1921 five-cent piece; a small nickel made out of silver which was very rare. It was in very good condition and we found that it was worth at minimum $3,000."

Tung also showed some pictures on his iPhone of a replica of Nelson Mandela's fist, which was made of solid gold.

He also gave a descriptive tour of the items he had laid out on display, including toys from the 1930s and 1940s, which he said "are very hot right now."

He showed a cast metal piggy bank from either the 1930s or 1940s, which was built in the shape of a jail cell. The full-sized jail cells were used on the streets of London, England, to temporarily house prisoners in medieval times.

A 1960s-era toy CF Trans-Canada Air Line plane on display, originally bought for $1.29, is now worth between $150 to $200. A 1950s-eras era Sherman brooch was also featured, which Tung said is highly valued right now, especially if it is included in a full collection of Sherman brooches.

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