Rare Victorian Est. 2008 · The Curator's Archive
Antiques Roadshow No. 483

Antiques Roadshow Bound

Originally published

Antiques RoadshowAppraisalTickets

Antiques Roadshow Bound
Antiques Roadshow Bound

You have to try everything once, right?

I put myself on the list for the Antiques Roadshow tickets this year and was one of those selected to receive the free tickets. It's a lottery system, so there is never a guarantee that you will be one of the chosen few.

I enjoy watching the Roadshow occasionally because it helps expand my knowledge of antiques beyond the realm which I spend all my time on - Victorian furniture.

The appraisal valuations are often sensationalistic on the show but the identification process, the evaluation of condition, and getting a general sense of valuation (insurance value) is something I like to soak up and put into the memory banks.

From what I have heard, it will be a long, arduous day in line and even more so for my friend traveling from Ohio to attend with me. My wife has opted to stay behind so I invited a close friend to attend with me. He has two unusual items (one that is thousands of years old and hundreds of pounds) that we've been trying to identify for quite some time. Maybe via the Roadshow we will finally have some answers.

You might be surprised to hear that I don't plan to bring any Victorian furniture. I feel I know enough about what I have to not need a second opinion. However, there are some oil paintings and a vase that I would like to get evaluated.

I will try to Tweet throughout the day via Twitter, so if you're not following me, use the link to the top right to get my live updates throughout the day at the Roadshow Saturday. I will also try to take a camera along and depending upon the "camera restricted areas" I may bring back some photos to share.

Update: I will be going in under a press pass which will provide me with more access for photographs and access to the appraisers and producer.

Find antique victorian furniture on eBay →

3 comments

  1. amadara
    It will be a very long, standing in line day with tickets for 10am, plan on hitting triage by 11 if lucky. You will only be able to take pictures while standing in line, not on the actual show floor. If you are bringing something heavy, note that no one is allowed to help you or handle your item. Have fun, and make sure you do the booth at the end with the post show comments, so if you dont get selected for filming, you might still make it on TV. My husband and I worked the Philly Show filming at the convention center in 2007. We have logo shirts and crew passes and photos with the appraisers. Many people on line offered me lots of money for my shirt, but I wouldnt sell. See if you can get a volunteer to part with theirs!
  2. RareVictorian
    I'm hearing that with my press pass I can get my appraisals without waiting in line extensively.
  3. woodwright
    We had a 2 PM admission w/ a 5 + hr wait (Hartford Conn. 8/08) Having an earlier admission will probably be helpful (lines back up as the day goes on), and hopefully your info about the press pass speeding your wait along will be correct. Fine art (paintings - our line for the same logic as yours) was by far the longest line in Hartford - and I would guess it would be probably the same pretty much everywhere. Everyone is hoping for a home run with their art (As seen on TV). Having items from 2 different categories (a painting and a vase) will mean 2 different lines to have to stand in. If whatever you have is large, cumbersome or heavy at all - I suggest a handcart or something to put it on and pull it along. If you are in line with the masses - it will be a long, long wait and you will make a million tiny moves, a cart makes it easier. If you don't already own something, we bought a nice aluminum (lightweight) folding handcart (from Lowes - folds flat) that also works well for antique shows and other needed purposes. Good luck - hope your treasures are worth a Kings ransom. woodwright

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