Value for this type of ca. 1900 ivory figurine seems to be pretty high, even now. I would not be able to sell it out of state, but fortunately I have no interest in selling it.
Yeah, the tornado was in my neighborhood alright. Like RIGHT in my neighborhood! I was actually in town for the tornado, but left on business the next day. I heard the sirens go off, and the rain was sheeting down at a furious rate. However, I fell asleep because I HAD to get some rest before heading out. It wasn't until about 5 a.m. that I learned about the tornado. An F3, it turns out, since so many roofs were lifted off but most walls, at least the older, well-constructed ones, were left standing.
The devastation is horrific. The city was working on making East Capitol Avenue a historic district; the street has houses dating back to just after the civil war, and at least one mansion built by a former governor. Now they don't have roofs, and I can't imagine how they'll be saved. Much of the city's economic development in the future hinged on this area, the main drag between the capitol and the old penitentiary, both of which draw many thousands of visitors every year. I'm filled with despair over this. The horror of bulldozing these one-of-a-kind treasures, some of which have seen remarkable renovations over the last few years, is just intolerable. People always say that things can be replaced after events like this, and of course they can. People can't be replaced. But in this case, neither can these houses.
Gratifyingly, there has been a huge outpouring of volunteerism of all sorts, from prayers to boots on the ground action. And, amazingly enough, no fatalities. Chalk that up to social media and tornado sirens....they work! So grateful that Ms. G and I escaped unscathed, and that the casa is still full of too many antiques!!!
And thanks to those of you who've voiced your concern. You'll never know how important that is!
