It’s that time again to search through the garage and bring out your unique treasures.

Antiques enthusiasts are invited to bring family treasures and garage sale finds for informal evaluations and identification during the 13th annual Antique Evaluation Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Folsom History Museum on Sutter Street.

Gary Cox, 59, of Elk Grove, is well known throughout the greater Sacramento area as “the antique answer man,” offering both written and verbal appraisals, and he’s making a stop in Folsom.

Cox has worked as an appraiser at the event for 10 years.

“What the day is really great for, is the items that you’re not sure about,” Cox said. “Find out if it’s a regular collectable or an expensive one, and find out about what you have.”

One piece brought to Cox during a past evaluation day was a sterling silver snuffbox from 1861.

He said the box was heavily engraved with a firefighting scene that included the fire chief, ladders, buildings on fire and the name of the retiring chief.

“Snuffboxes are fairly common, but this one was an interesting piece because it was civil war related,” Cox said. “It was given to the fire chief and this was someone who was leaving the fire department in New York to fight in the civil war and joining the regime.”

The value of the piece was significant he said.

“A snuff box, bearing the maker’s and owner’s name, a piece of fire memorabilia, a New York City piece, all from the date when the Civil War started … the Chief may have retired to go into the regime to fight, which would double or triple the value of the piece.”

Cox suggested the owner further research the item for greater value.

Without further research, Cox valued the piece at $1,500 to $2,000.

“Everybody should look around their house because even though you may not think something has value, you will never know unless you bring it out,” Cox said.

Carole Berry, one of the Evaluation Day organizers, said Cox is a regular on public TV and a renowned speaker to glass collectors, civil war buffs, antique societies and those just learning, interested in how to tell a fake from the real thing.

Cox began his work from collector to appraiser over 30 years ago.

He said he mainly shopped at old farm auctions and supported his habit as a collector by wholesaling to dealers as a “picker.”

While collecting, he continued his job in nuclear power plant supervision and construction after his work in the Navy.

After relocating to California 20 years ago to work on the Rancho Seco project, he said he made the break to devote his full energy to antiques.

He said working in retail antiques helped him as an appraiser to keep up with the antiques’ market. Today, he only works as an appraiser.

Cox said one of his best buys happened early in his career at a farm auction in 1976 where he discovered a hayrack wagon pilled three feet high with vintage clothing.

“It was a collection of farmers clothing from throughout that farm town,” Cox said.

He purchased all of the clothing for $700, including five 1920s and 1930s beaded flapper dresses, hundreds of elegant 1930s cocktail dresses and Victorian clothing. He said he wholesaled most of it to a shop in Chicago for $10 to $15 a piece. Many pieces carried a current value of $500 each.

After purchasing the lot, Cox said he was shocked to learn from the auctioneer that, just prior to the auction, he had discovered the owner getting ready to set fire to the whole pile of clothing, assuming it was junk.

“Collect something you love, you’re going to have to live with it for 10 or 20 years anyway in hopes it will multiply, Cox said. “If you are buying for investment, you are usually going to do it wrong. Buy quality not quantity.”

Recently, Cox worked extensively as an appraiser with historical societies including the Folsom Historical Society and the Crocker History Museum.

“It’s very enjoyable,” he said. “I really love the business.”

Cox advised collectors who are seeking evaluation of larger pieces including furniture to take good photos and bring in a piece of the furniture to show an appraiser.

“The more details the better. Do lots of research to find the history behind items or anything that ties to history,” Cox said. “This is the part of what makes appraising more fun and interesting…and will make items more valuable.”

* * *

KNOW AND GO

What: Annual Antiques Evaluation Day

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11

Where: The Folsom History Museum, 823 Sutter St.,

Folsom

Cost: $8 per item or $35 for five items

Info: folsomhistorymuseum.org or gary@antiqueanswerman.com.