I was HOOKED when I first saw Antiques Roadshow on PBS as a teenager. After all, the exhilaration of uncovering a long-lost family heirloom or stumbling upon a hidden treasure with immense historical or monetary value is at the core of being an Heirloom Explorer.
Antiques Roadshow has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique blend of history, mystery, and valuable discoveries. It offers glimpses into the lives of ordinary people and makes us feel seen and validated. (Much like how Dance Party, USA, gave us glimpses of how we all danced, but I digress.)
For those unfamiliar, Antiques Roadshow first aired in the United Kingdom in 1979 and quickly gained popularity worldwide for its intriguing concept. The show invites individuals to bring their prized possessions and family heirlooms to be appraised by a team of knowledgeable experts.
What sets this program apart is the possibility that an everyday object could hold extraordinary value or reveal a hidden history. Seemingly mundane things suddenly become valuable treasures with historical or artistic significance.
So, of course, it’s been on my bucket list for a while.
But being on the show isn’t for everyone. In my Instagram poll, I asked my followers:
“Have you ever wanted to be on Antiques Roadshow?”
It was a 50/50 split. I was surprised only half the respondents said yes, but I get it. It’s like having a lottery ticket. Often it’s more fun to just dream about the “what ifs” rather than get your dreams crushed by a losing ticket. Not many people want their bubble burst like Bobby Flay did to any expert chef that dared to “Throwdown!” against him.
My Experience on Antiques Roadshow
In this blog post, I delve into my experience on Antiques Roadshow, from the process particulars to what it felt like to be there. And if you just want to skip all that, you can head to “So, what’s it all worth anyway?”
Following is my experience:
- Getting on the show
- Selecting the items to bring
- The big day
- 5 Key takeaways for anyone thinking of going
- So, what it’s all worth anyway?
Getting on the Show
My journey on the Roadshow began a few years before I obtained tickets to the event. I had inherited what I thought were pretty unique pieces of furniture and decided, “Aha! These are Antique’s Roadshow-worthy pieces!” (Spoiler alert – they weren’t.) I looked up the Antiques Roadshow Website and noted they would be in my area and decided to apply. I was sure I would get tickets.
There are two ways to get tickets to the show.
- Early Bird Ticket Contest
- Sweepstakes Tickets/Random Drawing
Early Bird Ticket Contest
This is an opportunity for production to do a pre-screening of items and stories for the show. With only 20 people selected for these tickets, your chances of getting them are slim. I don’t know how many entries they receive, but if they can find their 20 show-worthy entries, it’s a lot. They’ve basically found all the content they need for the show right there! Those selected for these tickets arrive at 6:30 AM and can bring up to two items.
You can read the full details on how to get these tickets on their website. But, in brief, you submit pictures of up to two items you would like appraised along with some information about them, including any stories.
The artifacts could be high-value items, items with a unique story, or they could be bubble-burster items- those beloved treasures the appraisers just love to reveal as fake.
So I submitted my two pieces, along with everything I knew about them from our family’s stories. And shocker…my pieces were not selected. The only thing I got from my submission was a subscription to their marketing emails.
Sweepstakes Tickets/Random Drawing
The second way to get on the show is through their sweepstakes, basically this is their online lottery system.
Fast forward a few years after my failed submission, and one of my daughters is graduating from college in North Carolina. I received an email (because I’ve never unsubscribed from that marketing list) that the Antiques Roadshow would be in Raleigh that same week. On a whim, I tossed my email hat in the ring for those coveted lottery tickets. I had completely forgotten about doing this until the day I was clearing out some junk emails and realized I actually got two tickets! The stars had aligned, and I just knew this was going to be epic!
I even made up “Heirloom Explorer” baseball hats for the event.
Here I am waiting in line for the painting appraisal.
In the background is one of the filming spots, where people with interesting things would speak with an appraiser on camera.
Of course, I shouldn’t have been surprised. My mom passed away the previous year, and somehow I felt like she was pulling a few strings for me. So, I asked my dad to join me.
If you want to learn more details on how you can get on the show, check out the entire show rules here.
Selecting the Items to Bring
Next came the all-important item selection. Since I was going with my dad, our two tickets meant we could bring 4 items. I decided to be strategic in my choice of artifacts and pick family heirlooms that were:
- Hard to find out about online
- Portable
- Had a personal story
As an Heirloom Explorer, I love discovering the history and connections of our heirlooms. Still, if you’ve seen my Instagram, you know I have hit roadblocks on a few of my treasures. I decided Antiques Roadshow would help me blast through these roadblocks.
After much waffling on the final items to bring, my father and I headed out with our four heirlooms to appraise.
- A small painting my husband remembers from his grandmother’s home.
- An engineer’s reference book from 1856 gifted to my dad by my grandmother.
- A necklace my godmother gave me when I was in my 20s, including her handwritten note describing its origins.
- A purple ring of unknown authenticity my godmother always wore
The Big Day
About a week or two before the big day, we were assigned an arrival time; ours was 3:00. Walking from the very full parking lot, capturing glimpses of all the treasures we passed along the way, was thrilling. We were full of anticipation as we headed into the check-in line.
We each were given a 5×7 printed note card with an area to capture appraisal notes on 2 items: Appraiser Name, What is it? How old is it? How much is it worth (auction, retail, or insurance), and Additional Notes.
After showing our items to the person checking us in, they stamped our cards with the respective artifact category. Each item note area was stamped with a category. There were dozens of category stamps. Ours were stamped: Books & Manuscripts, Jewelry, and Paintings & Drawings.
A volunteer guided us to the first line, Paintings & Drawings, where we waited with fellow enthusiasts eager to learn more about our treasures.
One of the main attractions of Antiques Roadshow is the appraisal process itself. The show boasts a team of experts with diverse specializations, from fine art and ceramics to furniture and jewelry. These seasoned professionals thoroughly examine each item brought to them, offering insights into its origin, craftsmanship, historical context, and potential value. The appraisals often provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of previous owners and the stories behind these cherished possessions. Beyond the thrill of unearthing valuable antiques, the show offers a wealth of educational value. As the experts discuss various items’ history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance, viewers are treated to a masterclass in art, design, and historical context. Antiques Roadshow entertains and broadens our understanding of different eras, cultures, and artistic movements.
The Painting
There was a whirlwind of emotions as I stood in the first line. The feelings of hope, curiosity, and excitement were palpable. Is my painting a long-lost masterpiece? I was excited to finally learn who the artist was, when and where it might have been painted, and how I could best preserve it.
I’d been trying to learn more about this painting for years: it was a continuous dead end.
Adding to the excitement was the reality that this was a real show! A green room was set up near the line, and a producer had pulled a ceramic item to be discussed. We watched eagerly as the crew set up the display, rolled out the cameras, and the appraiser spoke to the object’s owner about its value.
When we were finally up, our actual appraisal moment was a bit of a surprise.
I expected that being on Antiques Roadshow would be an educational experience. After all, participants have the unique opportunity to engage with experts who share their knowledge and expertise, shedding light on the item’s history, craftsmanship, and cultural context.
This did not happen.
I pulled out my small painting, with an artist’s signature I could not decipher, but believed would soon be revealed. Adding to the clues I imagined the appraiser would use in his assessment was the name “John T. Hery” and what I presumed to be the date 1-20-22, handwritten on the piece cardboard that held the painting in the frame.
My excitement quickly faded. With one quick glimpse (and not even a glimpse at the signature that was mostly blocked by the frame), the appraiser surmised:
“a late 19th-century tourist painting by an unknown artist – possibly Dutch”.
And with that, the first item’s appraisal was over.
The Book
Slightly disappointed by the lack of information from the painting appraiser, we headed to the book line to show my father’s engineering book.
My father previously brought this same book to a historical society fundraiser a few years back. That appraiser deemed it to be of little value and in terrible condition.
But, my dad, an engineer himself, had a little else he was interested in bringing.
In addition to mathematics, measurements and formulas, this book includes a variety of other information, such as: “Processess for Staining Woods”, “Capacity of Bodies for Transmitting Heat”, “Feeding Properties of Different Vegetables” and “Bookbinders’ Recipes”…just to name a few.
In this line, we saw the fattest bible I’ve ever seen. We also saw a massive photo album about 2.5 feet tall, which appeared to be some sort of old hotel photo album. This treasure brought a flurry of activity, including a few producers for an exciting moment in a very long wait.
Much to our surprise, the appraiser took what seemed to us great interest in the engineering book, at least compared to the previous painting appraiser. Contrary to what my dad had been told before, this book appraiser described the book as in excellent condition for its age, noting that its leather closure flap was still intact and often missing from similar books that have come up for sale. She added that the most similar book she found was a reprint of this book that was published a few years later, indicating that this version was somewhat rare. She spoke with my dad for about 5 minutes, looked up similar items on her computer, and explained her findings in a thoughtful appraisal.
“Great condition, still has its flap. Some editions are available for reprint. Train enthusiasts would love it.“
The Jewelry
With a pep in our step after that unexpected appraisal, we headed off to our last line…the jewelry line, where our final two items would be appraised. Here we waited and waited and waited. Off in the distance was another makeshift green room preparing to film, and one of the show’s personality appraisers popped in.
By now, it’s about 4:30 or 4:45. This bit of context is essential because the event is scheduled to end at 5:00. It hadn’t occurred to me yet that the appraisers were tired, show content had all been found, and we were basically the last stragglers.
Nevertheless, in line, I was hopeful. Actually, I was giddy because one of these pieces I had brought for appraisal was an absolute trifecta of Antique Roadshow gold…it was rare, it was a diamond in the rough, AND it had a beautiful backstory.
Anyone who has watched the show knows the most exhilarating moments on Antiques Roadshow come when the appraiser uncovers unexpected details, hidden stories, or remarkable values associated with the participant’s item. Whether it’s a previously unnoticed signature on a painting or realizing that a seemingly ordinary piece of jewelry is a rare gem, the rush of excitement and wonder in those moments is unparalleled, leaving participants in awe and disbelief.
I was ready for this moment.
Adding to my excitement, I saw a cardinal which I took as a sign that my mother, or maybe my godmother, was also there and excited for me to learn more about these treasures that were once theirs.
When it was finally our turn, I couldn’t contain myself.
The Necklaces
I led with what had now become my most prized treasure of the day: a pair of yellow coral necklaces that my godmother gifted me when I was in my early 20s. She was born in 1905, so I did the math…these were from the 1920s or earlier.
She sent me this gift a year before she died with a handwritten note.
The fact that she handwrote the letter was noteworthy itself because, for years, she had been legally blind.
She wrote:
“Dear Lisa,
Hope you had a nice birthday. Also hope you like these treasures. The yellow coral is very rare – I’ve had them since I was younger than you, long, long ago.”
So with this note and this rare old coral, I was sure the appraiser would call over a producer. What a rare treasure! What a story!
At this point, I should also add I never wore the necklaces because the vibrant shade of yellow just isn’t my style. In fact, I had completely forgotten I had these necklaces until I started thinking about items to bring to the Roadshow. But I was sure these ugly duck shade of yellow necklaces could have been that diamond in the rough.
Except they weren’t. In fact, the appraiser thought they were fake. Not even natural coral, he deduced, because the color was so ugly. Okay, he used the word “unusual”, but we both knew what he meant. “But the story…” I pleaded as my bubble was thoroughly burst.
The final assessment:
“The story doesn’t add up. This is dyed glass to look like coral. Probably 1950s costume jewelry.”
The Ring
Still reeling from either my godmother or me being duped, I now had just my final item, the ring my godmother always wore. Any hope that this was a treasure quickly dashed in my mind, and I also suspected the appraisers. Had the necklaces been genuine, this ring would have added to the production value of their story. Sharing it with the appraiser would have felt like revealing a winning hand in a well-won poker game….”and THIS is the ring she wore….duh duh duh”.
Instead, as I handed it to the appraiser, it felt like I was turning over another two-card in the children’s card game “war.”
Now, if my mom were alive, I’m not sure she would have encouraged me to bring this particular piece of jewelry as my final throwdown. She knew my godmother enjoyed thrifting, and she doubted the authenticity of many things in her home. My godmother was a fantastic storyteller, so I acknowledge that the lines between reality and much-loved stories may have blurred. At any rate, this was the ring she wore in many of the pictures we have of her, and I love to match heirloom items with pictures. So I shared it with the appraiser.
Vintage emerald cut amethyst ring set in 14K yellow gold.
As he took the ring, I could just feel his doubt. He squirted a little dab of something to test the metal and seemed shocked when he told me it was, in fact, real yellow gold. And yes, the purple gem was a real amethyst. “HA!” I thought. Finally, one of my artifacts was real! His finding:
“14k yellow gold band with a 15-20 carat amethyst stone.”
5 Key Takeaways for Anyone Thinking of Going
Despite learning very little about our heirlooms, our day at Antiques Roadshow was a great success overall. It was fun and unusual. It was a day when we made new memories while talking about old ones. In my book, that is always a great day.
My takeaways from the day for anyone interested in going:
- Not surprising, it feels like a show first, and the appraisals are secondary. This is alright, especially if you like the buzz around filming. But if you want an accurate estimate, there are better places to get one. Of course, they are abundantly clear about this, but going there, I definitely understood why.
- Appraisal estimates are as varied as the person giving them. Especially on a day of fast & free appraisals, the experience, interest, and talents of those doing the estimates will bring more subjectivity into the final appraisal. I do plan to take those ugly, fake coral necklaces to someone who appraises coral to see if they are manufactured. Well, someday. I think I’ll just hold on to the family story I have a little longer for now.
- I specifically chose items I couldn’t find out information on online. But, this also means the appraisers can’t quickly look them up online and use their findings as a starting point for discussion. This may have backfired.
- If your arrival time is the end of the day, it will probably be less exciting than at the beginning. The appraisers are tired, and there’s only a little need for content, so it feels a bit ho-hum. But still worth it, in my opinion.
- Seeing so many people with emotional connections to their items reminded me that heirlooms are not just objects but a tangible link to our personal and collective past.
So, What’s it All Worth Anyway?
Four items were appraised, and four values were given. Can you guess which heirloom was deemed “most valuable”?
- A late 19th-century tourist painting, possibly Dutch.
- An engineer’s reference book from 1856 my grandmother gifted to my father
- A pair of dyed glass to look like coral, maybe 1950s costume jewelry.
- A purple ring of unknown authenticity my godmother always wore
If you guessed the Engineer’s book, you would be correct! The appraisal estimate was $150-$200!
The least valuable item? The (fake) yellow coral necklace at a value of $40-$50.
Is it what you expected?
If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy reading “Is this Family Memorabilia Treasure or Just Junk.” or “How to Safeguard Family Stories“.
You can learn more about me, and Heirloom Explorer in the About section. If you have any questions about being on Antiques Roadshow, please comment on here or message me on Instagram.