Antiques appraiser likes what she sees in Las Vegas

Kimberley McGee

Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 | 9:05 a.m.

A handwritten diary from the Oregon Trail, stained glass windows from the Civil War era and American-Indian relics are a few of the tucked-away treasures locals have brought to Las Vegas antiques appraiser Dee Perino.

And she can't wait to see what's next.

"It's mind-boggling what comes in from Las Vegans," Perino said. "It's very exciting to see all the things people keep."

You never know what prize you might have, Perino said, which is why she will provide the public with a chance to find out.

The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary will host an antique appraisal show Monday. Anyone can bring hand-me-downs and genuine antiques for Perino's educated estimate.

"It's like the 'Antiques Roadshow' format (on PBS)," Perino said. "That (show) is what inspired me. It is just a good time to see all that will come in (to the meeting)."

Perino, 71, is a member of the Appraisers Association of America and the International Society of Appraisers. She appraises antiques at the Sampler Shoppes Antique & Collectables mall, 6115 W. Tropicana Ave.

Swords, Civil War memorabilia and musical instruments, such as a $14,000 antique violin, are items Las Vegans have asked Perino to appraise.

"People are usually surprised" to find they have a valuable item, Perino said. "It's rewarding. You get to see things and meet nice people."

Perino joined the Appraisers Association of America in 1972 in Peoria, Ill., after years of appraising friends' antiques at her shop, Abe's Old Hat.

She moved to Las Vegas two years ago but couldn't quell the urge to appraise treasures.

Las Vegas has proved to be an interesting collectible community.

"It's unbelievable what I've seen in Las Vegas," Perino said. "People move here and bring along their best antiques that were handed down or important to them. They bring these personal items and they have no idea how important they are."

Ida Grieco, spokesperson for the Women's Auxiliary, said the antique appraisal is an extension of its regular monthly meeting and a chance for members -- old and new -- to get to know each other.

"We are so excited to have her come and speak with us," Grieco said. "We all have things that we wonder, 'Is it worth something?' "

Recently Perino appraised a beaded American-Indian blanket for $3,000 that a customer had found packed away at home.

"There's something exciting about finding something valuable in a closet or that you've had for years," Perino said. "Some of these (antiques) are museum-quality pieces. People just don't know."