Autographed McCartney guitar shows up at appraisal event

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Autographed McCartney guitar among items appraised at Ela library
By Karie Angell Luc
Pioneer Press
JUNE 29, 2015

Paul McCartney was not in the building Sunday, but the singer's signature thumbprint did show up in Lake Zurich.

An autographed blue Fender Squier Bullet guitar was among the items brought in for free appraisals at the Ela Area Public Library fifth annual antiques and collectibles appraisal event, featuring author and antiques expert Mark F. Moran of Iola, Wis.

It is likely McCartney did sign it, said Paul Jados of Hawthorn Woods, who brought in the guitar owned by his daughter.


Paul Jados of Hawthorn Woods brought a Paul McCartney signed guitar to see what it was worth. (Karie Angell Luc, Lake Zurich News)

Jados purchased the guitar for $500 seven years ago as a graduation gift to his daughter and thought he'd find out its value.

"I recommend holding on to it," Moran advised.

Jados said he is a "huge" Paul McCartney and Beatles fan.

"When I was growing up, there were four Gods: Paul, Ringo, John and George," Jados said with a laugh.

The event, which lasted about three hours, allowed patrons to bring in their treasures on a sign-up basis to the Frances Redmon Meeting Room at the library, 275 Mohawk Trail. Lake Zurich.

"I think it's all about our patrons," said Terri Meyer, library event coordinator. "There's a calling for it."

Moran, who does private consultations as well, said the Lake Zurich event filled up very quickly with interesting items to appraise.

"I do many programs in northern Illinois, and the quality of the items that we see in Lake Zurich are always amazing," said Moran, who valued a Pierre-Auguste Renoir etching at $350 that afternoon (because it was made after Renoir's death in 1919).

Moran said the most unusual thing he's appraised was a searchlight from a celebrity's yacht.

On Sunday, Moran also considered ivory statues brought in by Jeri Alles and David Hanley of Hawthorn Woods, and inspected a decorative table passed down from Anna Simo of Chicago to her great-granddaughter Char Pietrowski of Lake Zurich

Not everyone has that needle in the haystack item, and some are disappointed to hear the truth.

"As an appraiser, I have to be diplomatic," said Moran, who has been involved in the antiques business for more than 40 years and uses multiple databases to corroborate his findings and opinion.

Moran said he does not evaluate coins, Beanie Babies, weapons and Nazi memorabilia, among other categories.

The author of more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles, Moran has been a guest expert on the PBS series "Antiques Roadshow."

His advice to collectors?

"Buy something you like, don't buy it just because you think it might be good investment," Moran said.

"Buy or collect things that make you feel good.

"Buy quality," he added. "If you do that, then you don't have to worry about the value."


Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.


Copyright © 2015, Chicago Tribune



Ela Area Public Library
Karie Angell Luc, Lake Zurich News
Paul Jados of Hawthorn Woods brought a Paul McCartney signed guitar to be appraised.




Ela Area Public Library
Karie Angell Luc, Lake Zurich News
Mark F. Moran, an appraiser from Wisconsin, uses his laptop to help come up with a price for Paul Jados of Hawthorn Woods, who brought a Paul McCartney signed guitar.


(Karie Angell Luc, Lake Zurich News)
Paul Jados of Hawthorn Woods brought a Paul McCartney signed guitar to see what it was worth.