Ted Pappas discusses the history and value of German-made postcard holder with its owner. 250 News photo

Prince George, B.C. – Life can be full of surprises, such as stumbling upon an old artifact or heirloom which turns out to have value in one way or another.

And that touches upon the field of expertise of appraiser Ted Pappas, who is in the city this weekend conducting appraisals at The Exporation Place in a fundraiser for the Huble Homestead.  The public is invited to bring heirlooms, antiques and oddities for appraisal at $10 per item.  The money raised goes to restoration and programming at the homestead.

Pappas has more than 40 years of experience in the auction business and is now semi-retired.  He says you never know when you might come across something that might be worth appraising.  “We’ve found things that had been tucked away in drawers for a couple hundred years” says Pappas.  He says through Saturday “so far so good.  We’re seeing some pretty interesting things.  I’m still looking for our first million dollar item but you never know.”

He will be appraising items from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in the atrium at The Exploration Place.