The free antiques appraisals that South Shore Co-Operative Bank offered one night last week in Quincy, Mass., were a smashing success, drawing hundreds of people and even winning some new customers.
But John O'Brien, the president and chief executive officer of the 115-year-old thrift, learned that his eye for art is not as sharp as he had thought.
Two paintings, water scenes that he has owned for years, were appraised at the event, which was held to mark the fifth anniversary of South Shore's Quincy branch.
Mr. O'Brien said he had figured they were valuable. Appraiser Stuart Whitehurst said otherwise.
Mr. Whitehurst, who has appeared on PBS' popular "Antiques Roadshow" program, described the paintings as "cute" but likely the work of a weekend painter, according to Mr. O'Brien. Bottom line: They're essentially worthless.
But hey, if a little disappointment is the price of a blowout promotion, Mr. O'Brien was glad to pay. About 600 people attended, and about five dozen got appraisals from Mr. Whitehurst, who works for Skinner Auctioneers Inc. of Boston - one of the premier appraisal firms in New England, Mr. O'Brien said.
The hidden gem turned out to be an old grandfather clock. Mr. Whitehurst said it was worth $10,000 to $12,000, according to Jane Braun, South Shore's publicist.
The $172 million-asset South Shore, of Weymouth, sent an invitation to every home and business within a mile of the branch, Mr. O'Brien said. The event struck a chord in historic Quincy, the birthplace of two Presidents, John Adams and his son John Quincy, he said.
"We got a great response," Mr. O'Brien said. "I don't know why no one thought of this sooner."
The night was not a complete loss for the O'Brien family. The CEO's wife brought a small jewelry box and her eye for value turned out to be sharper. Mr. Whitehurst appraised it at $800, Ms. Braun said.
