Antiques Roadshow Part II

If you remember, we left off with the General Lee plummeting halfway down the ravine. Well, actually, we're going to now show you the camera view which shows the tires hadn't really even left solid ground yet.

Or something like that. Actually, when we got to the second room at the Antiques Roadshow, they took a look at our stuff and told us which section to take our stuff to. My boat was labeled as a "toy", which seemed easy enough. However, the guy then said that taking the cookie jar to "ceramics" would probably take too long, so I should take it instead to "dolls". Oookay, I thought. In any case, we were then led to a rather small circle of blue banners which surrounded the action of the Antiques Roadshow. All the big shots were there, constantly appraising the stream of items which came into their area. I recognized both of the appraisers who eventually appraised my items. I had expected that they were only brought out when someone had something worthwhile, but that was apparently not the case.

First, I should mention that this guy (who was, as expected, wearing his standard Hawaiian shirt) was going crazy with some of the other appraisers just before I was about to get the cookie jar appraised. It appears someone brought something of true merit to the show, but didn't own it. Therefore, she couldn't be on TV with it. Turns out, it was worth $5,000-$10,000. Could I be next I wondered?

In a short answer, NO. As I showed this guy my cookie jar, I could tell I didn't have a winner. He told me that it was made from Japan and maybe worth about $10. Well, it was worth a shot. We then found out that Becky's book was worth more in thought than in actual monetary value. I then went to this guy to get the boat appraised. As I showed him it, I could tell I didn't have a winner again. Once again, it was made in Japan (although it said "Made in USA" - he said, "no way, Jose") . To make matters worse, the paint was chipping off as he was holding it. But he seemed to take an interest in the decal that was on the sides. And then he described how to play with it, and then told me that it was somewhat desirable. And then - $200. That's right. I know it's not the huge find that you probably see every episode on the Antiques Roadshow and I know that it's not even mine to sell, but I was in shock. The way it started, I didn't think it was going to be worth much at all.

So that's my story. I recorded a little session in the "Feedback Booth"; hopefully it makes it to air. If it doesn't, I'll have to describe it one of these days. I also won an Antiques Roadshow shirt which shows the tour dates on the back - it was great. So that's all for Antiques Roadshow.

Antiques Roadshow, Part I

So this past weekend was the big day for the Antiques Roadshow excursion. I did take the toy boat and cookie jar as my "antiques". As soon as we got inside the building, I couldn't help but notice a line of people that rivaled some of the longer lines I've seen at Cedar Point. It was one big expo room that was filled with people - all in a line. Luckily, we were treated to old episodes of Antiques Roadshow and trivia.

During the wait, people were checking out other peoples' stuff. As I checked out some of the stuff, I realized just how outclassed I was by some of the people. Yet that didn't stop the several people who kept wanting me to open the box to the toy boat to show it off. Not that it was a problem - I had thought that the boat was a little too new and not so impressive. But their reactions were almost always one of being impressed. One lady even said "I'm so happy for you!" This was, of course, before we had gotten any appraising or anything.

In any case, we finally reached the end of the waiting line after they began to start rerunning episodes of Antiques Roadshow that we had seen when we first entered the Expo Center. And now to leave you at a cliffhanger. Will the boat live up to the anonymous lady's hopes? Will the cookie jar be worth more the box I brought it in? Will I make it on TV as more than someone who was "casually" trying to get in the picture of someone else's appraisal while being filmed? You'll find out soon enough...but here a picture to keep the mobs occupied.

At left - The city of Louisville makes fun of their unpronounceable name. I personally opt for the one in orange.

Is it an antique? Part II

So here are the objects I'm taking to Antiques Roadshow. I don't have high hopes for them, but we'll see. I decided not to look them up on ebay; I'm just hoping for a pleasant surprise.

The first item here is a toy motor boat. I hope they ask me what I know about it. Then I can say "Well, it's well known that in the mid-17th century, famous American Indian Red Cloud was big into boats. And here, as you can plainly see, is a boat." Then I'd stop there and let them respond. I suspect that would be followed by several awkward moments of silence.

The second thing I'm bringing is bluebird cookie jar. It's below this post, in case you're interested. My idea with this, if it doesn't make it on TV, is to go on the feedback booth after the appraisals are done and say that even though it's not worth a lot of money, it's still worth a lot to me. Then I'd open it up and eat a cookie out of it. Ah, that'd be great.

Anyway, I'll report back how everything went. I'll try and get myself behind all the people that are being recorded. Hopefully, they tolerate a lot there.

Is it an antique?

So I got a hold of this Mary Poppins game while looking for something to take on the Antiques Roadshow. It wasn't incredibly old, but I thought it might go for a little something. However, when I took a little time to find out just what it might be worth, I wasn't impressed with what I had found.

Stay tuned as I continue to search for something that might fetch a little more.

Primary season is a ways off...

But get practicing now: