About Us

Dwight and Christy Schannep, mall owners and accredited appraisers. To learn more about our appraisal services, click www.americanheirloomappraisers.com

OUR BACKGROUND:

Dwight grew up in Tucson. He started collecting rocks and minerals at a very young age. After he graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1984, his passion became collecting, restoring, and re-selling antiques. Some of Dwight's interests include: old brass blade electric fans, antique postcards/paper/photographs, Halloween, motorcycle, scuba diving and snow skiing related material. Additionally, Dwight appreciates coin operated machines and mechanical banks.

Christy grew up in Anchorage, Alaska in a house full of antiques. Her mother's passion was buying and selling antique oil lamps as a side line. Both her parents retired and moved to Tucson, where Christy soon followed. She attended the University of Arizona, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees . Some of Christy's interests include: flow blue china, vintage steiff animals, and vintage Hawaiian material. Additionally, Christy enjoys vintage Mexicana, vintage Alaska stereoscopic cards and photographs, cat door stops and staffordshire cats and dogs.

What have we been up to?

Dwight and Chrisy Schannep opened their first antique store in 1990 named "Elephant's Trunk Antiques." After 3 years, they invited other dealers to join them, and established Tucson's largest antique mall (at the time) while only a couple of other smaller local antique malls and stores were in operation. Since opening, the mall has been home to over 500 different consignors and has sold millions of dollars of antiques and collectibles! Several of their consignors have since opened their own antique shops and estate sale businesses.

Christy was a regular guest on the KTUC Antiques and Collectibles Hour radio show. Dwight has authored many articles for local antique magazines. Dwight and Christy were the featured "super collectors" on the Fox Cable Network "Personal FX Antiques and Collectibles Show" in 1997 (pre- Antiques Roadshow). Both Christy and Dwight have been featured on local news programs, as well as local, regional, and national printed literature. They were featured as the front cover story for the Antique Trader Weekly on January 27, 2010!

As accredited appraisers, both Dwight and Christy have been trained and tested in appraisal theory, principles, procedures, ethics, and law through the International Society of Appraisers . They have extensive education and testing in the areas of antiques, residential contents, and fine art. They both have additionally been trained and tested in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice through the American Association of Appraisers.

The American Antique Mall is popular with local, national, and international shoppers. The world's largest gem and mineral show comes to Tucson each February. As a result, the American Antique Mall welcomes customers, year after year, from every corner of the world. Many celebrities visiting Tucson's health resorts, or filming movies, have been known to frequent the American Antique Mall. Their reputation was established, early on, for specializing in quality items from quality antique dealers.

You are personally invited to visit us and see the exciting and unusual treasures we have to offer!