Sentimental Value or Family Treasure? Let the experts weigh in. Your grandmother’s favorite vase or necklace may be worth a small fortune. Would you like to know?
Meet the Experts at the High Tea & Treasures Road Show, hosted by The First Congregational Church of Marion on Saturday May 6, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm to be held at the Community Center, 44 Front Street. In addition to the Afternoon Tea, guests are encouraged to bring an antique, piece of jewelry, art or a curiosity piece to be reviewed by three experts in their field. Marion’s local antique expert, Frank McNamee, along with colleagues Nick Taradash and Abigail Field will provide information and commentaries. Their love of history has led Frank, Nick and Abigail to their current careers with each having an affinity for a specific area whether it be jewelry, manuscripts, decorative art and design, or textiles, clothing and East Asian antiques. Frank, Nick and Abigail have conducted appraisal discovery days for numerous non-profits groups and the First Congregational Church is thrilled to have Frank, Nick and Abigail join them on May 6.
Many of us know Frank McNamee but may not be aware that his expertise is recognized far and wide outside of Marion’s borders. Frank has over 45 years in the antique business and 30 years appraisal experience. He is the owner of Marion Antique Shop which is located in Marion and is one of the largest and most active antiques shops in New England, and Marion Antique Auctions, which is Southeastern Massachusetts most important auction gallery conducting three to four high-end sales a year. He has handled Southeastern Massachusetts most significant estates. In 2013, he sold the lost Edgar Allan Poe manuscript for $300,000 and in 2020 he sold an old master drawing by Jan Lievens for $500,000. Frank has conducted appraisals for numerous law firms and museums, including the Smithsonian Institution, the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the New Bedford Museum of Glass, Providence College, Rhode Island School of Design, and numerous historical societies. Frank is past president of the Sippican Historical Society and now curator of its museum in Marion, MA. He is a member of the Cape Cod Antique Dealers Association and a senior member of the Providence Appraisal Collaborative. Frank graduated from Massachusetts auctioneer’s school and maintains a current Massachusetts auctioneer’s license. Frank has also volunteered as a guest celebrity auctioneer for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Bedford, the New Bedford Whaling Museum where he auctioned off the painting by Arthur Moniz titled, The Home Coming for the Morgan Homecoming Gala in 2014 for $50,000.
Nick Taradash was raised on a horse farm near the coast of southern New England in Rhode Island. As a young child Nick would wander the fields of the family farm searching for arrowheads, exploring the antique home restored by his family, and sharing the passions of his family – art, theater, and classic cars. A lifelong love of history formed with encouragement from his family and friends, Nick eventually went on to major in history at Vermont State University, graduating in 2014. Upon finishing his studies, Nick began working in the curatorial department of The New Bedford Whaling Museum. After two and a half years at the Whaling Museum, Nick chose to pursue a Master’s degree at Sotheby’s Institute of Art with a focus in fine and decorative arts and design. After graduating in 2017, he began working for the New York Design Center in the 1stdibs Gallery. In 2021, Nick began work at the Nantucket Historical Society in the curatorial department.
Abigail Field graduated from UMass Dartmouth with a BA in history in 2020 as the #1 student in the department. Abigail’s primary focus is in textiles and clothing, but she has since gained considerable expertise in East Asian antiques as well as jewelry. Throughout her schooling, she volunteered at the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Mattapoisett Historical Society. She has also been hired as a logbook transcriber for a cross-organizational project with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, and she is the executive assistant at the Sippican Historical Society.
A limited number of tickets are still available. Admission: $25 in advance, $30 at the door and includes one items for review by this talented team. Additional items may be reviewed at $10 per item as time permits.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at the General Store, Church Office located at the Community Center — Tues – Fri 9:00 am -2:00 pm, at Penny Pinchers Exchange, 39 Main St., Wed & Sat 10:00 am -1:00 pm or online https://www.marionfirstchurch.org/
Gallery seating is available for $10 per item being reviewed and may be purchased at the door the day of the event.
Additional information is available on the Church’s website: www.marionfirstchurch.org/.