Turnhout (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Playing Card Museum in Turnhout held a fully booked artwork appraisal day with 130 visitors. Coordinator Elke Grommen and professional appraisers evaluated up to three items per person.
As VRT News reported, the Playing Card Museum in Turnhout is hosting a special artwork appraisal day on Oct 8, 2025. Visitors can bring their personal items and have them evaluated by professional experts. Many people often contact the museum, believing they may have valuable objects in their attics.
“As a museum, we often receive questions from people about the value of their items,”
said Elke Grommen, the museum’s coordinator. She explained that valuing objects is not part of the museum’s mission. The museum focuses on preserving, studying, and presenting the history and cultural importance of playing cards.
What objects are being evaluated at Turnhout’s Playing Card Museum?
Officials mentioned that to meet public interest, the museum has partnered with professional appraisers for the event. Registered visitors may bring up to 3 objects for evaluation. The appraisal day helps people understand the potential value of their belongings.
The Playing Card Museum in Turnhout has filled all 130 slots for its artwork appraisal day.
“We are more than fully booked,”
said museum coordinator Elke Grommen. She explained that in past events, the appraisal day was so popular that people sometimes waited for hours to have their items checked.
“This year, we introduced a registration system to avoid long waits and make the process smoother,”
she said.
Elke Grommen mentioned that in a previous edition, experts identified a genuine Toulouse-Lautrec among the items brought in. This morning, Oct 8, 2025, Grommen noticed several visitors leaving with big smiles, suggesting they received good news about their objects.
Not all items, however, proved valuable. One participant brought African statues and paintings, which were found to have little or no market value.
“It is disappointing when items turn out to be worthless,”
said Grommen.
“Mom passed away a year ago,”
says a male visitor with three paintings under his arm.
“Dad moved to a nursing home. I’ve gathered some paintings from their large house. I’m curious to see what they’re worth.”
The Playing Card Museum, located in Turnhout, opened its doors in 1965 and relocated to its current location, a refurbished factory, in 1988. The museum includes an extensive collection that displays over 400 years of playing card history. It includes an array of antique printing presses ranging from the 1800s that are powered with steam, which are occasionally put into use for display purposes.
Turnhout has often been recognised as an epicentre of the playing card industry, and the museum illustrates the craftsmanship and innovation that this city has to offer. The museum organises events and workshops in addition to the permanent exhibits.
