Hoping for Treasures
If you were in downtown Oklahoma City on August 2003 and didn't know what was going on, you would have probably thought it was the world's biggest garage sale. And judging by all that was carried in and out of the Cox Business Center, it must have been a good one! It wasn't a garage sale, but it had the same festive atmosphere. Antiques Roadshow, the most popular show on Public Television, came to Oklahoma City to see just what treasures we had in store for them.
A record turnout, with more than 5000 in attendance fueled the atmosphere and expectations of everyone that came clutching their treasures.
There was furniture on dollies, paintings carefully wrapped, boxes of trains and toys, and at one point we even saw a wicker casket. We found out later it wasn't a casket, but what was once used instead of burial bags when transporting bodies to the funeral home.
Three episodes were taped in Oklahoma City for 2004, the eighth season for the show. But don't look for us on TV. Nothing we brought was very exciting, just personal treasures to us.
More than 40 appraisers were scattered around the perimeter of the huge room, with the center reserved for TV cameras and the spotlight items. Susie Dowdy, Manager of Communications OETA - The Oklahoma Network, mentioned that all the appraisers pay both their own way and all their own expenses.
The Tickets and the Lines
At the event, the whole procedure was seamless and everyone seemed to enjoy what they were doing. Several months before the show date, would-be participants sent in a request for tickets. Each name drawn was mailed two tickets several weeks before the show date. Each ticket had a time of admittance, and each ticket allowed the bearer to bring two items to the Roadshow.
When we arrived at the allotted time, there were lots of official folks to guide us on where to go.
A long line of people snaked back and forth in a huge room adjacent to the appraising/production room. And although the lines were long, everyone looked like they enjoyed being there, talking to neighbors in line, swapping stories, etc. Because this all took place inside the building, with access to refreshments and rest rooms nearby, it wasn't too much of a hardship to stand there awhile.
Once you maneuvered through the lines, the entrance to the production room had Roadshow folks manning tables with boxes of little red tickets. At this point you were given a ticket to see an appraiser, the ticket had the type of item that was brought to be appraised, e.g. pottery, toys, collectibles, paintings, glass, etc.
Now onto the nitty gritty.
Toys
The production room was a bit chaotic with lines intermingling and at times you might not be sure which line you were actually standing in, just hoping it was the right one. The first line we looked at was the glass appraisers, but since the line was quite long we decided to try it later and visit the toy area first.
It took about ten minutes to reach appraiser Richard Wright. He looked at the Steiff rabbits, gave a me the time frame of manufacturer and a quick estimate, which was around what I thought the value might be.
He also answered a few questions that I had about the missing buttons.
Steiff Rabbits estimate and picture
He said he wasn't very knowledgeable about the toy tractor, so sent us to another nearby appraiser, Andy Ourant. Ourant was great and it wasn't until we got back home that I realized I had read several articles about his Village Doll and Toy Auctions. He took some time to really ask about the toy, gave a lot of good information and an estimate, along with a suggestion to replace the broken track.
Payloader estimate and picture
Glass and Pottery Areas
Next was the glass area, by now the line only had a few people. The pink depression glass sugar, cream and tray set is in perfect condition. I was fairly sure it was old, but I'd looked in numerous glass books and could never find the pattern. This area disappointed me a bit, the appraisers barely glanced at the item and I was quickly told it was pink depression glass and given an estimate that I thought was quite low.
I told them I knew it was depression glass, but what I really wanted to figure out was what pattern it was. They said it was the Pyramid pattern, which turned out wrong.
Depression Glass estimate and picture
Be sure to read the rest of the story on the depression glass appraisal!
The Silvestri Flying Saucer cookie jar was our last item to be appraised. Yes, this is really a hard to find cookie jar and the book value is quite high. I already knew that. What I was trying to find out was more about when it might have been made and any background on the company. I also knew this could be a lost cause, but figured I'd give it a try. The pottery folks were first to look at the jar. The two appraisers looking at it said they loved it and thought it was very cool, but told me they just couldn't help with it and sent me to the Collectibles area.
Red Wing Monk is NOT California Pottery
Now for the real disappointment of the day -- let me start off by saying, it's obvious that not everyone can know everything and I would never expect an appraiser to know it all, how could they? But I do expect an appraiser to say "they don't know" when they don't. And it turns out that it wasn't even my item that was screwed up!
I was second in line with the flying saucer jar, behind someone with a blue Red Wing Monk cookie jar.
The appraiser was gone, and the "monk person" said the appraiser had to go find more information on the jar, the appraiser didn't know if it was Red Wing or a Twin Winton jar. Well, you know me, I told her it was Red Wing, but that's all I said. The appraiser comes back in a bit and tells the "monk person" that the jar is California Pottery and worth $100. - $150. Hello? Now of course I had to speak up, and said (very nicely) sorry, but that is a Red Wing jar. The owner turns it over to show me the mark previously shown to the appraiser, it read Red Wing quite clearly. The appraiser said, "well I just couldn't read the mark clearly". Although I can understand someone not familiar with cookie jars not being sure of the value, the name Red Wing Pottery should be very familiar and not be thought a California pottery!
Hull Little Red Riding Hood and Sylvestri Jars
Meanwhile about ten feet away, there was a Hull Little Red Riding Hood jar and along with the jar, the owner had several pictures of an awesome looking collection of Little Red Riding Hood pieces. She was also given a very wrong appraisal, as I heard her being told the total collection was worth in the $450. range. I didn't say anything, because the lady with the jar quickly told the appraiser that the jar was almost worth that amount alone.
The appraiser looked surprised.
By now it was my time with the Sylvestri and I am sure the appraiser was annoyed with me -- as she said "I can't help you with that jar". Which was really okay, if you don't know, say so. As mentioned above, you can't expect appraisers to know everything and no one knows that better than me. She also related that the person who normally appraises the cookie jar type items had missed a plane connection and didn't get to the show.
Silvestri picture
Overall the experience was terrific and I'm really glad we were able to get tickets, even my husband enjoyed the experience. He loved finding out his toy Pay-loader tractor was worth so much and perhaps has a little better appreciation for my collecting habits. My only negative is about the appraising - I felt some were excellent and enjoyed what they were doing. But I also felt several appraisers didn't really want to bother with the "little stuff", just wanted to get those folks out of the way in hopes of scoring a biggie and get a little TV time for themselves.
But I'd probably be the same way, especially if I spent my own time and money to travel to the show and do free appraisals!
And I just want to let the Antiques Roadshow folks know that "Yes, I am available anytime they need someone to look at cookie jars!"
Tips of the Trade - Great reading!
About the Show - History and background
Taking the Mystery out of Appraising - Resources the appraisers use.
Appraise it Yourself - Antique Roadshow Game
If you were in downtown Oklahoma City on August 2003 and didn't know what was going on, you would have probably thought it was the world's biggest garage sale. And judging by all that was carried in and out of the Cox Business Center, it must have been a good one! It wasn't a garage sale, but it had the same festive atmosphere. Antiques Roadshow, the most popular show on Public Television, came to Oklahoma City to see just what treasures we had in store for them.
A record turnout, with more than 5000 in attendance fueled the atmosphere and expectations of everyone that came clutching their treasures.
There was furniture on dollies, paintings carefully wrapped, boxes of trains and toys, and at one point we even saw a wicker casket. We found out later it wasn't a casket, but what was once used instead of burial bags when transporting bodies to the funeral home.
Three episodes were taped in Oklahoma City for 2004, the eighth season for the show. But don't look for us on TV. Nothing we brought was very exciting, just personal treasures to us.
More than 40 appraisers were scattered around the perimeter of the huge room, with the center reserved for TV cameras and the spotlight items. Susie Dowdy, Manager of Communications OETA - The Oklahoma Network, mentioned that all the appraisers pay both their own way and all their own expenses.
The Tickets and the Lines
At the event, the whole procedure was seamless and everyone seemed to enjoy what they were doing. Several months before the show date, would-be participants sent in a request for tickets. Each name drawn was mailed two tickets several weeks before the show date. Each ticket had a time of admittance, and each ticket allowed the bearer to bring two items to the Roadshow.
When we arrived at the allotted time, there were lots of official folks to guide us on where to go.
A long line of people snaked back and forth in a huge room adjacent to the appraising/production room. And although the lines were long, everyone looked like they enjoyed being there, talking to neighbors in line, swapping stories, etc. Because this all took place inside the building, with access to refreshments and rest rooms nearby, it wasn't too much of a hardship to stand there awhile.
Once you maneuvered through the lines, the entrance to the production room had Roadshow folks manning tables with boxes of little red tickets. At this point you were given a ticket to see an appraiser, the ticket had the type of item that was brought to be appraised, e.g. pottery, toys, collectibles, paintings, glass, etc.
Now onto the nitty gritty.
Toys
The production room was a bit chaotic with lines intermingling and at times you might not be sure which line you were actually standing in, just hoping it was the right one. The first line we looked at was the glass appraisers, but since the line was quite long we decided to try it later and visit the toy area first.
It took about ten minutes to reach appraiser Richard Wright. He looked at the Steiff rabbits, gave a me the time frame of manufacturer and a quick estimate, which was around what I thought the value might be.
He also answered a few questions that I had about the missing buttons.
He said he wasn't very knowledgeable about the toy tractor, so sent us to another nearby appraiser, Andy Ourant. Ourant was great and it wasn't until we got back home that I realized I had read several articles about his Village Doll and Toy Auctions. He took some time to really ask about the toy, gave a lot of good information and an estimate, along with a suggestion to replace the broken track.
Glass and Pottery Areas
Next was the glass area, by now the line only had a few people. The pink depression glass sugar, cream and tray set is in perfect condition. I was fairly sure it was old, but I'd looked in numerous glass books and could never find the pattern. This area disappointed me a bit, the appraisers barely glanced at the item and I was quickly told it was pink depression glass and given an estimate that I thought was quite low.
I told them I knew it was depression glass, but what I really wanted to figure out was what pattern it was. They said it was the Pyramid pattern, which turned out wrong.
Depression Glass estimate and picture
The Silvestri Flying Saucer cookie jar was our last item to be appraised. Yes, this is really a hard to find cookie jar and the book value is quite high. I already knew that. What I was trying to find out was more about when it might have been made and any background on the company. I also knew this could be a lost cause, but figured I'd give it a try. The pottery folks were first to look at the jar. The two appraisers looking at it said they loved it and thought it was very cool, but told me they just couldn't help with it and sent me to the Collectibles area.
Red Wing Monk is NOT California Pottery
Now for the real disappointment of the day -- let me start off by saying, it's obvious that not everyone can know everything and I would never expect an appraiser to know it all, how could they? But I do expect an appraiser to say "they don't know" when they don't. And it turns out that it wasn't even my item that was screwed up!
I was second in line with the flying saucer jar, behind someone with a blue Red Wing Monk cookie jar.
The appraiser was gone, and the "monk person" said the appraiser had to go find more information on the jar, the appraiser didn't know if it was Red Wing or a Twin Winton jar. Well, you know me, I told her it was Red Wing, but that's all I said. The appraiser comes back in a bit and tells the "monk person" that the jar is California Pottery and worth $100. - $150. Hello? Now of course I had to speak up, and said (very nicely) sorry, but that is a Red Wing jar. The owner turns it over to show me the mark previously shown to the appraiser, it read Red Wing quite clearly. The appraiser said, "well I just couldn't read the mark clearly". Although I can understand someone not familiar with cookie jars not being sure of the value, the name Red Wing Pottery should be very familiar and not be thought a California pottery!
Hull Little Red Riding Hood and Sylvestri Jars
Meanwhile about ten feet away, there was a Hull Little Red Riding Hood jar and along with the jar, the owner had several pictures of an awesome looking collection of Little Red Riding Hood pieces. She was also given a very wrong appraisal, as I heard her being told the total collection was worth in the $450. range. I didn't say anything, because the lady with the jar quickly told the appraiser that the jar was almost worth that amount alone.
The appraiser looked surprised.
By now it was my time with the Sylvestri and I am sure the appraiser was annoyed with me -- as she said "I can't help you with that jar". Which was really okay, if you don't know, say so. As mentioned above, you can't expect appraisers to know everything and no one knows that better than me. She also related that the person who normally appraises the cookie jar type items had missed a plane connection and didn't get to the show.
Silvestri picture
Overall the experience was terrific and I'm really glad we were able to get tickets, even my husband enjoyed the experience. He loved finding out his toy Pay-loader tractor was worth so much and perhaps has a little better appreciation for my collecting habits. My only negative is about the appraising - I felt some were excellent and enjoyed what they were doing. But I also felt several appraisers didn't really want to bother with the "little stuff", just wanted to get those folks out of the way in hopes of scoring a biggie and get a little TV time for themselves.
But I'd probably be the same way, especially if I spent my own time and money to travel to the show and do free appraisals!
And I just want to let the Antiques Roadshow folks know that "Yes, I am available anytime they need someone to look at cookie jars!"
- The Antique Roadshow started in 1996 on OETA and is the highest rated show on Public Television.
- The shows taped this summer include: Savannah, GA; Chicago, Ill, San Francisco, CA and Oklahoma City, OK.
- There are three episodes taped at each location
- There were more than forty appraisers in attendance at Oklahoma City, each one paying their own way and paying their own expenses.
- Antique Roadshow airs on Monday nights at 8:00 PM Eastern and encores on Saturdays at 5:00 PM and Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Tips of the Trade - Great reading!
About the Show - History and background
Taking the Mystery out of Appraising - Resources the appraisers use.
Appraise it Yourself - Antique Roadshow Game
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