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Hunting for treasure

Bill Rogers, Highlands Today

Chris Wagner, a buyer with The Great Treasure Hunt, inspects an old calendar that was brought to the Four Points by Sheraton Chateau Elan, Sebring on Thursday. It was the first time the North Carolina company had scheduled a show in Sebring.

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By BILL ROGERS

Highlands Today

Published: November 1, 2009

SEBRING - Frank and Lois Vara of Lake Placid showed up at The Great Treasure Hunt on Thursday basically out of curiosity.

While others brought bags of comic books, decorative items and jewelry to the Four Points by Sheraton Chateau Elan, Sebring, the couple came with just one thing - a signed serigraph by Harry Shokler. Shokler was an American Impressionist painter and the inventor of the serigraph.

Lois said she has had the serigraph for about 25 years. It was given to her by Shokler's daughter, but noted "it doesn't mean anything to me."

The Varas were hoping to get a couple of hundred dollars for the serigraph, but they wouldn't be disappointed if the offer was less.

"We'll just take it home and hang it on the wall," Lois said.

Unfortunately, for them, Chris Wagner said the company doesn't deal much with art.

It was the company's first show in Sebring, said Wagner, who is a buyer. As of early Thursday afternoon, more than 100 people had brought things they were hoping to sell. Wagner said the trip was "worthwhile."

Richard Kohl Sr., who is president of the North Carolina company, which bills itself as "The Greatest Buy Show On Earth," said it does 250 shows a year. His buyers work in the South during the winter time.

Wagner said the company does most of its business in the eastern United States "where most of the good stuff is."

Florida is a good place to visit, according to Kohl, who is originally from Palm Beach County, because there are a lot of transplants who find things when they clean out their attics.

Kohl said items his buyers purchase at shows are either sold privately or to dealers.

The "hottest collectibles," Wagner said, are pop oriented things that are old such dolls, toys and comic books.

Forget about antique furniture. Wagner said the market for it "crashed" in the middle of last year.

The age of the item is important and the condition is a big factor.

Wagner, who collected football and baseball cards and comic books when he was young, said the rookie card of great players is the best.

He noted the greater supply of cards has affected the value. He used Hank Aaron as an example. A 1974 Aaron card is worth $15, while a 1964 Aaron card could fetch $30 to $40.

The Great Treasure Hunt doesn't consider cards made after 1970.

In a press release, the company said it bought the estate of baseball legend Ty Cobb from his last doctor and 1940s Stan Musial game jersey that was worth more than $50,000.

Another show scheduled

For those who didn't make it to the Chateau Elan last week, another show - by a different company - is scheduled later this month in Sebring.

The Treasure Hunters Roadshow will be held Nov. 10-14 at the Quality Inn Conference Center, 6525 U.S. 27 N. Its hours are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday.

According to a press release from the company, recent finds include a 1960s vintage guitar purchased for $100,000, Confederate money hidden in the walls of a residence that was uncovered during a remodel and a hand-written thank you letter from Abraham Lincoln expressing gratitude for a night's stay while traveling to Chicago.

Matthew Enright, vice president of media relations, said the Treasure Hunters Roadshow was in Sebring a year ago.

Enright said Florida is a big area that has been "very good to us." He added that some "cool things" have been found in the state.

Treasure Hunters Roadshow

WHERE: Quality Inn Conference Center, 6525 U.S. 27 N.

WHEN: Nov. 10-14; 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday

COST: Free

Bill Rogers may be reached at 863-386-5825 or wrogers@highlandstoday.com

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