Local dealer Henrietta Mik refers to the inventory at her Hentiques as "vintage stuff." Her booth features some very interesting Art Deco pieces at very reasonable prices, like this stately chrome and Bakelite coffee serve by Farber Bros, at $170.

The Very Thing is a popular booth at any antiques show, because Priscilla Naylor has such exquisite taste. This time she showed some of the finest sterling silver from time-honored American companies, like (left to right): a sandwich server in the "Marie

. B’s Fantasy, a longtime fixture on South Jersey antiques scene, featured this stained glass window from the old Sansom House restaurant in Philadelphia’s jewelry district. It was priced at a modest $495, and wouldn’t it look neat in a kitchen or dining

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The annual Bayberry Twigs Antique show in Avalon on Memorial Day weekend is always more than just an antiques show; it’s a social occasion.

As the first event of the season, it’s a time to greet returning friends and neighbors as well as to meet and be introduced to new ones.

Lots of wonderful antiques provided the conversation pieces—folks asked questions, dealers and collectors talked, everybody walked away, if not with a new treasure, at least a little bit smarter.

When you can meet people, have fun, see beautiful things, learn something new, and at the same time help a good cause (Bayberry Twigs is the hospital auxiliary), it’s a win-win-win situation.

Lots of people were smart enough to realize that these days it’s a good thing to get an idea of the value of the things you own. I was quite busy in my appraisal area, and saw over 50 items during the four hours I was there.

Reading the price tags at an antique show is also a good way to learn the value of things. I got a chance to get around the show to check things out and take some pictures.

—Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of The August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send you comments, questions or appraisal requests to aschwerdt@cmcherald.com.