Antique Helper Auctions is pleased to announce a partnership with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis through a sponsorship of the museum’s Collectors Connection group. This partnership celebrates the cross-over appeal between Antique Helper collectors and members of The Children’s Museum Collectors Connection and The Children’s Museum’s emphasis on its role as a collections-based institution.

“The Children’s Museum is one of only a handful of children’s museums in the world with a large collection,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “From our inception in 1925, our collection has been an integral part of our family learning experience by allowing visitors the opportunity to see and touch real objects as they take part in hands-on learning. Many of our museum members, donors and Facebook fans not only enjoy seeing the museum’s collection when they visit, but also have collections or important pieces of their own. We are excited for this opportunity to collaborate with Antique Helper on this event as they share their expertise.”

Antique Helper is an Indianapolis-based auction house that sells fine art and antiques internationally through live and cataloged internet auctions. Antique Helper’s clientele includes a large representation of collectors whose tastes and passions encompass a wide range of areas.

“We have people who are passionate about Italian art glass, antique toys and dolls, artifacts, modern furniture. People gravitate to and collect a countless number of items for very personal reasons. There’s a collecting audience for just about any genre you can imagine,” says Antique Helper owner, Dan Ripley. “Both The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and Antique Helper are working to bring together people who collect—people who just love various objects. It seems a natural fit to combine our efforts and reach out to these two groups. They have so much in common.”

Drawing on this common interest, the first event that marks the collaboration between Antique Helper and the Children’s Museum will be a Virtual Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal Event on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at The Children’s Museum. Unlike traditional appraisal clinics, where people are required to bring their actual items—no matter how big or valuable—to the event, Antique Helper invites individuals to submit images of their antiques, collectibles, collections and curiosities before the event takes place.

Fans of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and Antique Helper can submit images of their art, antiques and collectibles prior to the Nov. 10 event by posting them on Facebook or by sending them to: CMI_Appraisals@antiquehelper.com. The submission deadline has been extended through Monday, Nov. 8. 

A number of submissions will be selected to be used in a multi-media appraisal presentation the evening of the event. Fans can watch live streaming video of the appraisals via the event’s Facebook page.

In order to be eligible for this event, images must be sent to the provided e-mail address or posted to this event. Items for appraisal must be submitted no later than Nov. 8. Individuals may make multiple submissions, although not all submissions may be selected for use in this event.

These appraisals are to be considered verbal approximations. They are meant only to give fair market value of an item and are not intended to be used for insurance purposes.

For more information about the Virtual Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal Event at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, visit the event page on Facebook or call Antique Helper at 317-251-5635.