For what it's worth ...

Frankly, it looked like a garage sale. But really, we were on a treasure hunt.

We asked readers to bring us their "treasures in the attic" — everything from an antique rocker to a tiny hat-shaped Boy Scout bank — and had an appraiser look at them, "Antiques Roadshow"-style, to assess their value (or lack thereof).

The woman who had hoped her "glass mailbox" was worth $100,000 went away disappointed, but like they say: Knowledge is priceless.

Meet the appraiser: Margaret Minnick arrived with an armful of resource books marked with lime-green Post-its, a seemingly encyclopedic memory and a pair of rectangular glasses stored in an eyeglass case marked "Diva." We liked her instantly. Minnick, a certified appraiser of personal property and member of the International Society of Appraisers, specializes in American and European fine art and antiques (www.minnick.org or 206-330-6344).

High hopes for glass

The item: A thick piece of glass shaped like a mailbox.

The owner: Darlene Larson, of Auburn.

The back story: "It was given to me when I was a teenager by a wealthy uncle. He told me it was from France, and it was used to hold candy. I have treasured this piece all of my adult life. Over the years, I've served dinner rolls in it at a buffet, and during the holidays, glass-colored ornaments have glistened inside. I think it is possible it could be used as a terrarium as well. I fantasize often that it must be worth $100,000, and do hope it is."

Minnick says: "The bad part is, it's not fine glassware, which is what we were hoping it would be. However, the shaping of it is quite fun because it's from the moderne, relating to the 1925 art-deco exhibition in Paris. This is from an industrial designer, probably Italian, and it has the streamlined look of the 1920s and 1930s. I did find a glass mailbox at the Smithsonian, but it's American-made and doesn't look like this. But the phenomenon of glass mailboxes exists."

Estimated value: About $500, because of its oddity.

She can bank on it

The item: Boy Scout bank from Washington Mutual.

The owner: Eleanor Fisher, of Seattle.

The back story: "My family has lived in Seattle since about 1910, and this belonged to my dad. He wasn't so much a collector, he was more of a saver — reluctant to get rid of anything. I had always thought of it as a WWI doughboy helmet rather than a Boy Scout hat. It has a small plaque that reads: A Good Scout Saves Systematically / Washington Mutual Savings Bank Seattle."

Minnick says: "This little guy's fun. Part of the diagnostic of finding out about this bank is trying to determine when Washington Mutual called itself Washington Mutual Savings Bank, and then finding out when that hat became part of the Boy Scouts uniform. This bank most likely dates between 1930 and 1943. I think this one is very rare, because I couldn't find one like it. Here in the Seattle market, it has some appeal."

Estimated value: $100-$200.

Bowled over!

The item: An antique cut-glass bowl.

The owner: Beverly Wisser, of Bothell.

The back story: "My husband's mother's family owned it. They lived for generations in the Fayette County area of Pennsylvania. My husband thinks the bowl came from his great-grandmother. We displayed it on our dining-room table for several years, where it sparkled and sent out rainbows under the chandelier. We became concerned about its safety as our son began to use the table for his homework and projects, so the bowl was tucked away in a padded box."

Minnick says: "This is an American Brilliant. The heyday of the American Brilliant was about 1905. They were the favorite wedding gift of that era. The companies would vie with each other for the most exciting glass pattern. The intricacy of the glass raises its value. This one is so elaborately cut, if it were in perfect condition it would have a retail value of about $500. This one has many fleabite nicks around the outside of the rim. Condition is important for something fragile."

Estimated value: $250-$300.

That'll hold water

The item: Copper washtub.

The owner: Carla Hoggarth, of Bothell.

The back story: "I bought it at an antique store in Coupeville, Wash., about 25 years ago. It is just like one that my grandmother kept on her wood stove. It was our only source of hot water. I lived with her in 1939 to 1941. We called it our washtub because we used the water in it for washing everything, including ourselves. I use mine to store kindling, paper and firewood."

Minnick says: "These copper tubs are common because everyone had to wash their clothes. It's better if they've never been painted, and it's better if it hasn't been dented. This one has a questionable surface and it's really dinged up, but it has the lid, which is often lost."

Estimated value: $150.

Knocked off her rocker

The item: Antique rocking chair.

The owner: Heidi Clarke, of Burien.

The back story: "My father received it in payment for painting the neighbors' living room in 1955. These neighbors were the Brown sisters; they were the original teachers at the old red schoolhouse in the Overlake area of Bellevue. They were old ladies when we knew them, still wearing long dresses and high-top shoes, driving their electric car on an unpaved Bellevue-Redmond Road!"

Minnick says: "This is a Boston Rocker, which were made throughout the 19th century. Rocking chairs were somewhat rare until the 19th century; they were used for specific people or for nursing babies. People thought it was impolite to be rocking while someone was talking. The more rare the chair is, the more expensive. This one has its original surface and gold stencil on paint. It's in good condition and has this nice Seattle-area history. The style of the chair places it at about 1875."

Estimated value: $1,000.

A hot item

The item: Copper "harem warmer."

The owner: Katherine Batey, of West Seattle.

The back story: "I don't have a clue what this is! I was told at one time that it was a harem warmer, used to put coal in to warm a tent. I got it at a senior-citizen thrift shop and have had it for years."

Minnick says: "It does look as though it's ready to hold something hot. It looks like it might be a foot warmer from the 19th century, maybe even early 20th century. It doesn't look as if it's from the hand of a master maker because it's a little bit crudely shaped and finished. If it's a harem warmer, it's a tiny harem. Calling it a harem warmer does give a utilitarian item a bit of salacious glamour."

Estimated value: $175.

Pamela Sitt: 206-464-2376 or psitt@seattletimes.com