What's valuable in your attic, basement or right under your nose in the living room? WHYY and the Historical Society of Delaware are presenting Spotting the Good Stuff, a three-part, interactive lecture series on your antiques, collectibles and knickknacks to be held throughout October.

You know it's old, but is it worth anything? In the first session, Antiques, on Thursday, October 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., experts Christopher Lane, co-owner of the Philadelphia Print Shop and an appraiser on ANTIQUES ROADSHOW; Bert Denker, senior librarian and visual resources director at the Winterthur Museum, Library and Gardens; and Dorothy Wardell, appraiser of costumes and collectibles and founder and owner of the Costume Company of Wilmington, will speak on the tell-tale signs that make an antique the Good Stuff.

Included in the interactive discussion will be hints on detecting old glass, examining Victorian ceramics, identifying 19th Century chromolithographs, and clues to evaluating historic clothing. Coffee and desert will be provided.

The second session, Collectibles, on Thursday, October 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., featuring speakers Timothy Mullin, director of museums for the Historical Society of Delaware; Alexander Mullin, e-bay trader; and Dorothy Wardell, will give you the low down on how to tell if you have what collectors want and are willing to pay for. This session is designed to help people understand the value of those things they may have outgrown, but others covet, such as Barbie Dolls. Also included will be information to educate collectors on discerning jewel from junk.

The final session, Trash or Treasure, on Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. will provide the opportunity to get the goods on your goods. With five experts: Thomas Beckman, collections manager for the Historical Society of Delaware; Thomas Doherty, manager of Baldwin's Book Barn; Timothy Mullin; Alexander Mullin; and Dorothy Wardell, there will be little waiting as attendees have their furniture, glass, paintings, prints, china, toys, political memorabilia and whatever else appraised for authenticity and worth.

This series is a WHYY Civic Space event with a goal of bringing people face to face to exchange ideas and knowledge, in this case about their antiques and collectibles.

Each of the events will be held at the Historical Society of Delaware at 505 Market Street in Wilmington, DE. The cost for the three-part series is $40 for members of WHYY and/or the Historical Society of Delaware and $50 for non-members. Individual lectures may be attended at a cost of $20 for members and $25 for non-members. At the final session, each participant will receive one free appraisal, two additional appraisals per person will be available for $10 each.

Seating will be limited at each of the lectures to insure participation by everyone. To register for any or all of the series please contact WHYY. In Philadelphia call 215-351-2084. In Delaware call 302-657-8210. To register online, Click Here. Or, print out the form and mail it in.

Directions to the Historical Society of Delaware