VGCC Offers Antiques, Collectibles Class

Anyone interested in buying, selling or just learning more about antiques and collectibles may want to attend a class beginning Sept. 21 at Vance-Granville Community College.

The eight-week class will be held on Tuesdays from 7 to 10 p.m., Sept. 21-Nov. 9, in Building 7 on the main campus in Vance County.

Peter Tocci of Oxford will be the class instructor. A Boston native with a lifelong interest in antiques, Tocci has taught the Antiques & Collectibles class at VGCC eight times previously. He said his lectures will include the importance of antiques and what makes an item an antique or collectible. He will discuss the periods of antiques, beginning with the Colonial period.

Upon completion of the class, participants should be able to identify period pieces and why they are made as they are. Tocci will compare antiques of the North and the South. His home is Oxford is filled with antiques, and he will bring pieces of furniture, glassware and silver to the classes to illustrate his lectures. He will also talk about embellishing and making alterations to pieces of furniture, and he will tell participants how to deal with antique dealers. He will even discuss the possibilities and pitfalls of buying on eBay.

During the latter weeks of the classes, Tocci will have his own version of “Antiques Roadshow,” where he will encourage students to bring in items for him to identify their origin, discuss their history and place a value on them.

Registration cost of the class is $30. Space is limited, and persons who wish to attend should pre-register by calling the VGCC Continuing Education office at (252) 738-3316.