The Antiques Roadshow

[Sandy Navas]

My first thought? I doubt the appraiser was a 'certified quilt appraiser'.

Al and I went to a quilt show this past weekend and they had on display a large crazy quilt that was (my estimate) at least a 100 years old. It was obvious, from the fabrics and adornments that several people had worked on it. There were many types of fabric and most seams were embroidered with a multitude of stitches I've never seen before. And quite a few of the blocks had applique on them. We admired the applique but found it was the most striking thing about the quilt - there were flowers, there was something that looked like a hanging basket, there was a donkey and some hairy animal that we thought might be a beaver. Some of the blocks had beads and buttons sewn on.

[SallyO'Sews]

Well, add my name to the "Weirdo" list - DH and I enjoy that show, too, I'm guessing because we're beginning to feel like antiques ourselves!

The appraisers comments about the value of the quilt had me imagining someone who finds a quilt in their grandmother's attic: "Don't wash that quilt!! The dust mites in it are worth $3,000!!"

[Grandma Nan]

Oh boB you are so right!!! LOL. It would probably be from sitting at a quilting retreat listening to someone read a story about the TRUE story of the 3 Little Pigs, right??

[Grandma Nan]

That is very interesting! But who would make a quilt and say don't ever wash this as it might be valuable in 75 or 100 years? And aren't 99.9% of all quilts made to be used? I love that show. Wonder how the appraiser knew the quilt was only washed once?

I know. I was just sort of interested that she made a comment about washing the quilt. Many of us like to wash even before we give it away.

[Grandma Nan]

Well, add my name to the "Weirdo" list - DH and I enjoy that show, too, I'm guessing because we're beginning to feel like antiques ourselves!

The appraisers comments about the value of the quilt had me imagining someone who finds a quilt in their grandmother's attic: "Don't wash that quilt!! The dust mites in it are worth $3,000!!"

Welcome to Weirdos International. We could start our own club!!

[Alpha O]

Yeah, but we have better soap now. It isn't wood ashes, lye and tallow. That sounds awful.

Here's a page with the receipt as it was called:
"Old" Soapmaking Instructions with Notes

[Denis]

Some of the textile experts on Antiques Roadshow aren't as expert as they say or think they are. Years ago an online friend of mine told me this story.

He and his wife found a box of fabrics at a garage sale. When they got home, at the bottom was this quilt. They had it appraised by the expert at Sotherby's who was often the expert on the Roadshow. She claimed the quilt was by an unknown quilter, not American, possibly British, and from the 1800s, worth maybe $10k., Still pretty good. They decided to take it to the Met in New York. They told the folks there the story with the Sotherby's expert and they rolled their eyes and laughed. Turns out, the folks at the Met knew exactly who the quilter was, she was American, from the 1800s (she got that part right), and they had 2 of her quilts hanging upstairs in the museum, and a third in Chicago. What they had found was the 4th of a series. They offered to buy it from them for $150K.

[Grandma Nan]

Some of the textile experts on Antiques Roadshow aren't as expert as they say or think they are. Years ago an online friend of mine told me this story.

He and his wife found a box of fabrics at a garage sale. When they got home, at the bottom was this quilt. They had it appraised by the expert at Sotherby's who was often the expert on the Roadshow. She claimed the quilt was by an unknown quilter, not American, possibly British, and from the 1800s, worth maybe $10k., Still pretty good. They decided to take it to the Met in New York. They told the folks there the story with the Sotherby's expert and they rolled their eyes and laughed. Turns out, the folks at the Met knew exactly who the quilter was, she was American, from the 1800s (she got that part right), and they had 2 of her quilts hanging upstairs in the museum, and a third in Chicago. What they had found was the 4th of a series. They offered to buy it from them for $150K.

Wow, I guess it really is worth going to garage sales and building your stash.

[rebeccas-sewing]

Bob! Shame on you. hahaha

It may be estimated at that amount but is someone actually going to buy it for that kind of money? That's the question I always wonder about. We've got old coins that need to be appraised but I sure as heck have no idea how to go about that and whether the appraiser can be trusted to give me a decent assessment. I'd really like to unload those coins but I don't want to just give them away and that's what might happen not knowing a thing about coins. Has anyone had experience selling old coins? If so, please PM me with your experience. Thanks.

[Leah53]

PM sent Rebecca.