Comments on: The Antiques Roadshow Experience

By: JJ

JJ — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:33:27 +0000

I am so glad I read this before I attended a Roadshow event this year in Des Moines, IA. I completely agree with all of the above. It was a good time, and we had fun, but the appraisers could not have been more wrong on so many levels – and like you, I do my homework! For example, one of the very popular Tribal Arts appraisers told me that the blackware twist candlesticks that I showed her were by Juanita Vigil. I found that assessment to be interesting, as Juanita Vigil died over 70 years ago, and the candlesticks are dated 1962. (They’re actually by Juanita
“Wo-Peen” Gonzales, and the signature makes them easily identifiable. This is an incredibly amateurish error – really something an “expert” would have known.) The paintings appraiser took things to an even lower level when she told us that as she “couldn’t locate any auction records on Askart or Artnet” she really had no idea how much our painting was worth. Really? Askart? Artnet? Gee, I never tried those myself, duh. Please. That’s the equivalent of saying you checked something on Wikipedia. Is that the best you’ve got? (And by the way, Liveauctioneers.com has an auction record posted on our artist, if that’s all you know how to do to appraise something.).

From now on I’ll stick to using qualified licensed appraisers I locate on my own, doing my own Internet searches, and just watching Roadshow on TV. But thanks to RareVictorian, I knew what to expect! Thank you!

By: woodwright

woodwright — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:43:52 +0000

John, I see the Antiques Roadshow episode that you attended in Atlantic City last June airs tomorrow (Mon 1/25). Maybe you’ll see some people and items you saw while standing in line or inside.

By: Sue

Sue — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:52:54 +0000

I went just recently (this past weekend in Raleigh). I agreed with my appraisals except one. I won’t comment on the item or say the appraiser’s name, but the guy (and I cannot speak for anyone but him; maybe the rest are true appraisers who know their stuff); didn’t want to look at a lot of people’s stuff… and he told one woman her stuff had no value (Let’s just say I am sort of an expert in her particular item and it didn’t have tremendous value but at least 200.00 and she drove far and he should’ve at least placated her). I had a series of 5 items and he didn’t want to look at the other three saying after asking me what I paid, that they weren’t more than I paid no matter what they were.

Here’s the problem as I see it. I did a TON of research before I went and this is NOT what you were supposed to do, but I was curious what they’d say. I knew what my stuff was worth before going in and this one guy told me it was worth what I paid (about 150) and I knew it was 350-1200 depending on certain criteria (I personally felt mine was worth in the 700 range because it was near perfect).

Am I an expert? No. But I’ve been buying these things for about 10 years and searching the net/stores etc for these things and I know the values. So he “generalized” the item as he’s not an expert on this item in particular. He knows a lot about the type of thing and general knowledge about many things, but to be honest there are probably collectors out there that do this ONE thing and know more than him.

What I mean is this: you have a doll appraiser who knows a LOT about many dolls. But there’s probably a collector out there that collects say JUST Madam Alexander dolls etc and is in “clubs” and all that. Who’d know more? The person who deals with that and other things or the one collector who does just that every day of their lives? I’ll pick the collector thank you very much.

They aren’t the be all and end of of appraisers. They are good yes, but if you feel you have been given a wrong value, look for someone who might specialize in that one specific item or field.

And this is not what I hoped it’d be. I didn’t see the host, the Keno brothers, I didn’t see any interest in the city it happened in (no local news or even local antiques shops even knowing it was in town). I was in an hour of the whole event in less than an hour and a half and it took me over 3 hours to drive each way.

PS I’d agree too with the person above who said they send you to the wrong place. I should have seen an autograph appraiser or an emphera dealer rather than books or manuscripts. I didn’t have a book nor a manuscript. And the “off the cuff” appraisal, though better than I said, they didn’t know about the history like I did. The appraised my item based on that it was a document that doesn’t sell well (however, as an autograph collector I know about how to sell items that are unsellable that can be clipped and mounted to bring more). So I think they sent me to the wrong areas too.

By: My Antiques Roadshow Experience Part II | Rare Victorian

My Antiques Roadshow Experience Part II | Rare Victorian — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:46:23 +0000

[...] left off with my Antiques Roadshow experience in the last post at the paintings table. Both Chris and I had lugged our final appraisal items through this, our [...]

By: Mary Evans

Mary Evans — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:47:55 +0000

I read your blog about the Antiques Roadshow. I, too, attended the show at AC, NJ on Saturday. You were able to verbalize my exact sentiments about my experience.

I just wish I could’ve taken pictures inside!

I found the most important area of all…the place where they give the tickets for the categories of your items was manned by volunteers. They either did not care or were blind to which area to send people to for their appraisals. This caused a lot of errors and trouble.

I had a 1900 Theatre Scapbook with signatures and pictures of stage stars from the era, also full length posters. The lady sent me to ‘Books’. The appraiser there did not even look at it. He thumbed through and said this is a scapbook. Well, the owner was Blanche Horton, granddaughter of Commodore Vanderbilt.
I really should’ve been in Collectibles. When you go back for another card, they are very suspicous. Make sure you get the right card for your item at the beginning.

I also had approx. 20 posters from Ferdie Pacheo c1970. He was the cut man for Cassius Clay aka. Mohammed Ali. He retired and became a sports announcer and in his spare time he drew pictures of famous sports scenes. They are quite famous in the sports field. One intitled, ‘The Fumble’ is about the famous Dolphin fumble. He drew his pictures mostly in Miami. My sister in law picked these up during the 70s to sell for a fund raiser.

I went to the poster line, but was told the artist was unknown so they were worth 15-20 each. I had all kinds of content in them from the period. I really think the sports area would’ve seen a better interest. I actually asked for sports memorbilia.

Just a warning before you go…make sure and know where you want your item appraised BEFORE you get there.

So glad to find another person’s comment online!

Thanks RareVictorian!