Hello everyone, we are Leila Dunbar, Sebastian Clarke and Hannah Auerbach of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW!

A little bit about me (Hannah): I'm an account executive for ANTIQUES ROADSHOW and work on national marketing, social media, and other forward-facing projects for ROADSHOW at WGBH Boston.

A little bit about me (Leila): I'm a USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) certified professional appraiser of pop culture memorabilia, including sports, entertainment, posters, comic books and art, animation art, toys, coin-op, transportation memorabilia, vehicles and advertising. Some of the clients I've worked with include the Baseball Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Sotheby's, the New York Yankees, Lloyd's of London, the USGA, the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the estate of Katharine Hepburn; the estate of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash; and property from the collection of Cher. I've had the honor of sales highlights including the bat that Babe Ruth used to hit the first home run ever on Grand Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, for $1.25 million, a record for a bat; and the 1919 contract selling Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees, for $996,000, a record for a sports contract, and other sales include Boston Garden, Wilt Chamberlain, the Lone Ranger, Marilyn Monroe, "Seinfeld," the Beatles, Madonna, Cher, Billy Martin, Muhammad Ali, Secretariat, and the Barry Halper Baseball Collection Part II, the Shagmobile from "Austin Powers," and the last New York City taxicab. I'm also a licensed auctioneer, having sold at Sotheby's as well as at numerous non-profit auctions.

A little bit about me (Sebastian): I'm the Director of Estate services at Rago Arts and Auction Center in Lambertville, New Jersey. I arrived in the U.S. in 1995 and worked as an apprentice restorer and art handler for Simon Parkes Art Conservation, and I began my career in auctions at C.G. Sloane, serving as a Specialist in the European Furniture department at Sotheby's, as Director of the English and Continental furniture department at Freeman's and at Doyle New York as a Senior Vice-President and Director of the English and Continental Furniture and Decorations department.

Both of us (Leila and Sebastian) are in tonight's episode of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, our season premiere airing at 8/7cpm on PBS, and we're showcasing some big finds.

While we can't appraise your items the way we do on the show, we're looking forward to tackling your questions today! AUA!

https://twitter.com/reddit_AMA/status/552215936397492224

Thanks for joining us for our first AMA! We hope you enjoy tonight's ANTIQUES ROADSHOW season premiere at 8/7c pm on PBS which features appraisals from Leila & Sebastian. If you are interested in attending a ROADSHOW event, we just announced the 2015 summer tour schedule today: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/ontheroad.html. Look forward to doing another one of these soon! Best, Hannah, Leila & Sebastian

Comments: 149 • Responses: 78  • Date: 

Paul_Arius8 karma

What is the strangest thing you've ever had to appraise at the show?

Antiques-Roadshow41 karma

Leila here...the strangest thing on Collectibles was a gentleman who brought in a piece he claimed was Lyndon Johnson's fart in a jar...we couldn't authenticate it...

Antiques-Roadshow7 karma

I didn't appraise this (or anything else for that matter) but we love these potty babies: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/201202A16.html. --Hannah

Antiques-Roadshow6 karma

Sebastian here - a baby coffin. Was unnerving...

Antiques-Roadshow5 karma

Also, one of our "triage" workers (the initial generalists who categorize your items at the show) told me about a box of hair someone brought that belonged to a baseball cult? She sent them to the sports table. Sorry Leila! --Hannah

fuckswithducks7 karma

Do you know any history about rubber ducks before Sesame Street made them popular? There's surprisingly little information recorded despite the fact they're in the National Toy Hall of Fame. Can you think of any that might be considered rare or valuable?

Antiques-Roadshow5 karma

Sebastian here - Honestly I have no clue. As a specialist when you don't know you have to 'fess up!

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

Leila here...this should be my area, especially as I have a number of examples myself, but don't know much!

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

I work for PBS but that is the extent of my knowledge here--Hannah

rnason7 karma

Hi, I was just wondering what sticks out to you guys as the coolest thing that's been brought in?

Antiques-Roadshow10 karma

Our Navajo blanket appraisal is a fan favorite and a personal favorite: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200101A48.html. Our big find with Leila tonight is also pretty great, valued at $1 million insurance. --Hannah

Antiques-Roadshow9 karma

Leila here, everyone is asking great questions! I have seen so many cool pieces...a 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers photo signed by Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella with a little boy whose father (Japanese) had fought for the US in WWII then came back and was an umpire in Hawaii; baseball signed by Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, the only one I've ever seen.. the original working lyrics to "Stormy Weather" written on Cotton Club stationery by Ted Koehler...and tonight's group, 1871 Red Stockings memorabilia, the most valuable Roadshow appraisal I've ever had...

whimsy437 karma

What are your opinions on people who "shabby chic" perfectly good old wood furniture? (Directed to Sebastian I suppose). I know some pieces can brought back because it's real wood, but I just cringe when I see it, and it's very popular where I live. Thanks!

Antiques-Roadshow16 karma

Sebastian here - I hate it! You could be killing a great piece of 18th century furniture... please stop now.

beernerd7 karma

What would you say, based on what you've appraised for the show, is the ratio of junk to good finds?

Antiques-Roadshow15 karma

Sebastian 999/1... Put is this way, we use a lot of hand sanitizer.

Antiques-Roadshow11 karma

We see about 10-12k items during each show and tape about 90 for TV/web. Not to say it's all junk, but the majority of items we see are around $50 or under. --Hannah

beernerd3 karma

we use a lot of hand sanitizer.

Oh dear. Have you ever had to appraise something that made you say, "I'm not touching that thing"?

Antiques-Roadshow8 karma

Sebastian here - yes - but we are always polite and professional...add some humor and you can get away with not touching the object.

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

Sebastian again - if its out there, we have been asked to appraise it.

Antiques-Roadshow6 karma

Leila here...the vast majority of what we see is under $100...we put pins in lots of peoples' balloons. The odds of making the show are very small when you consider that 5,000 people attend, the show, each bringing 2 items, and only 50-60 pieces are filmed, a tiny fraction of what is brought in.

chooter4 karma

How do you decide who gets on air?

Antiques-Roadshow5 karma

Sebastian here - the producers make the ultimate choice as to what gets aired

Antiques-Roadshow5 karma

Leila here...the first step is the appraiser deciding if an object's story is potentially tv worthy...we then get on a list to wait for a producer. Once the producer arrives, we tell them the story, they meet briefly with the guest and then make the decision whether they will film the appraisal.

ProfessorsaurasRex5 karma

I've got the complete series of Antiques roadshow on VCR and DVD all signed. How much are they worth?

Antiques-Roadshow14 karma

Priceless!

Antiques-Roadshow12 karma

We aren't cancelled yet so it's not complete! --Hannah

IrishTexan5 karma

Art deco is my favorite era. What's your most memorable art deco piece that's been on the show?

Antiques-Roadshow5 karma

We get tons of art deco jewelry that i covet. This is a fantastic collection: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200606A32.html. I also love any art deco posters: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200303A41.html. --Hannah

JitGoinHam5 karma

Does anyone make fun of Marky Mark's name to his face? Like, for instance, referring to him as "Marky Mark"?

Antiques-Roadshow7 karma

Mark's sense of humor is unmatched so it's all good.--Hannah

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

Leila here...as far as I am concerned, there is only ONE Marky Mark and he hosts the Roadshow! I call him that all the time!

Antiques-Roadshow3 karma

Sebastian here - only if you dare...

50shadesofgreyhound4 karma

Have you ever broken something on accident that turned out to be extremely valuable?

Antiques-Roadshow9 karma

The ANTIQUES ROADSHOW staff, crew & volunteers are not allowed to touch guest's items. So when you hear a crash, it's not us. But you do hear them from time to time on set...--Hannah

Firecrotch20145 karma

Hm Im pretty sure when Ive seen the show Ive seen the appraisers touch the item when they are giving the appraisals to whoever owns the items. Like if a book needs to be flipped open to look at the author's signature on the inside cover. Are the appraisers not Antiques Roadshow staff? Are they the only ones allowed to touch the items(thus taking the risk) if the guests allow them to? Do the appraisers get compensated by Antiques Roadshow for their appearance? Or do they simply do it for the free publicity it brings to their auction house? Has an appraiser ever damaged an item?

Sorry for so many questions. Ive been a fan of Antiques Roadshow for a good part of my life!

Antiques-Roadshow3 karma

Leila here...yes, appraisers may touch the objects...Hannah meant the Roadshow crew and volunteers...

Antiques-Roadshow3 karma

Sebastian here - No comment...truthfully no. Not yet anyway

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Leila here...fortunately no! About once every other year at the Roadshow, I have heard the sickening sound of a piece crashing to the floor...don't think there was anything of high value...

ThoseDarnNeighbors4 karma

What do you recommend people do with stuff they don't want like world war 2 medals and old turn of century photos?

Antiques-Roadshow5 karma

Sebastian here - Start with contacting a local appraiser to make sure you are not missing something - after that you can consider donating them to a historical society or similar institution.

Antiques-Roadshow1 karma

Leila here...I would start with a local auction house to get a sense of value and then decide the best venue to sell...

JitGoinHam4 karma

Why have my ancestors forsaken me by failing to preserve any objects that are even nominally valuable?

Antiques-Roadshow7 karma

Leila here...that's a question I ask my dad about his Golden Age Superman and Batman comics books, a gold mine thrown away by his mother...I could be on an island in Fiji!

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Sebastian here - go ask your grandmother. I am in the same boat!

lewarcher4 karma

Based on your appraisal, how much is Reddit gold worth?

Antiques-Roadshow6 karma

Sebastian here - that and $3 will get you a Grande Cappuccino...

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

Come back in 60 years with that question--Hannah

whimsy434 karma

Where should one start off when interested in antiques? Is it best to take courses, read specific books, watch programs, or just pick it up as you go along?

Antiques-Roadshow8 karma

Shameless plug--we have a great resource page on our site with a glossary, reference list, tips of the trade, etc: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/resources.html. --Hannah

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

Sebastian here - I'd start with watching more Roadshow! Attend exhibitions, auctions and antiques shows...

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Leila here...the first thing you want to think about is what areas you enjoy the most and then start focusing on them...for instance, if you like old tools, start reading about them...or signed baseballs, etc. There is so much information available today...

k12573n3 karma

Just gotta say, big fan of the show! I've been watching it all my life and still do on OETA (Oklahoma Educational TV Authority). How often does the show tour, for how long, and when is it coming back to Oklahoma??

Thanks for all you guys do!

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

Sebastian here - I am not sure I am not welcome back in Oklahoma ... http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/201104A25.html But thanks for watching! We really, really love what we do...

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

Thanks for watching! We go on tour every summer, usually from around late may/early june-mid august. We tape in each city on a saturday and it is an all day appraisal event. We actually just released our 2015 tour schedule: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/ontheroad.html. We don't go back to any city for at least 5 years and we just hit up Tulsa in 2011 but I wouldn't rule Oklahoma out any time soon. --Hannah

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Leila here, thanks for your kind words...this year the Roadshow stops in six cities, which will be announced in the next few weeks...we've been to Tulsa and Oklahoma City and hope to get back there soon!

dragonfly19933 karma

what makes a good episode of Antiques Roadshow and appraisal?

Antiques-Roadshow14 karma

This is Leila - My favorite appraisals and the ones I look for are those with great stories from the guests. Value is far less important. This past summer I had a guest in Chicago who brought an Andrew Carnegie medal given to his grandfather for saving a baby from a well. He was a salesman who happened to be driving by. No one else would go down the well, but he stripped down and jumped down 50 feet. Four years later the baby's mother nominated him for the medal, which he won with $1,000, which saved him, as he had just had his job cut down because of the Depression.

Antiques-Roadshow7 karma

Sebastian here - the best appraisals are all about the guest. You can have the greatest item ever but if the guest isn't into it then it falls flat. We've all had some crazy guests...

PHOTON_BANDIT2 karma

Can you give us a detailed account of what happened when one of the appraisers tore the stub off the Mohammed Ali ticket?? How have policy changed since the incident ?

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

Sebastian - This might be an urban myth...

dragonfly19932 karma

where do you shop for antiques?

Antiques-Roadshow7 karma

Sebastian here - I have small children. Ikea.

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Local flea markets & thrift stores. Big ordeals like Brimfield are also fun. --Hannah

Antiques-Roadshow1 karma

Leila here...Usually through auction houses as I have been in the business so long, I know them all well...

timewaitsforsome2 karma

where do you shop for antiques?

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Sebastian here - I have small children. Ikea.

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Local flea markets & thrift stores. Big ordeals like Brimfield are also fun. --Hannah

Antiques-Roadshow1 karma

Leila here...Usually through auction houses as I have been in the business so long, I know them all well...

j_harris2 karma

[deleted]

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

Leila here...on Collectibles, I keep waiting for a rock star's coke spoon to come in, but it hasn't happened yet. I appraise wine and have been lobbying for that to become a category, but don't have high hopes...

Antiques-Roadshow3 karma

Sebastian here - we have to adhere to all state and federal laws...no one has bought in a bong for appraisal yet! We are ready...

Antiques-Roadshow1 karma

We did just appraise a fun ANTI drug poster in Bismarck: http://roadshowpbs.tumblr.com/post/87607106588/we-found-this-antique-poster-for-a-1936-film-about. But otherwise the issue hasn't really come up. --Hannah

lucyness2 karma

what was the most ridiculous thing you had ever seen someone bring on the show?

Antiques-Roadshow3 karma

Leila here...that is a popular question! On Collectibles we had someone bring in what they claimed was LBJ's fart in a jar...but it couldn't be authenticated...

Loves2Fart2 karma

What do you think of the guys from American Pickers? Or the American Pickers show in general?

Antiques-Roadshow7 karma

We love that Roadshow has helped spawn a genre of shows that highlight people's treasures and material history. --Hannah

Antiques-Roadshow6 karma

Sebastian here - I honestly do not watch any other shows. Roadshow is authentic and we are flattered that other shows are trying to emulate the Roadshow experience!

supercruiser2 karma

I've been a fan of your show for as long as I can remember, I have a deep rooted love of old things and the show has opened my eyes to great aspects to collecting that I never thought of before. I feel I have a pretty good grasp of the worth of things, however one aspect that has always scared me is autographs. I inherited a collection from my late father that no one in the family knew he had, it consists of some pretty cool stuff: political, sports and actors, Including several very unique cashed checks. I've spoken to a few "card shop" guys and honestly it troubles me a bit when they make seemingly tasty offers on everything, even outside of sports memorabilia. Where is the best place to begin with this type of collection?

Antiques-Roadshow6 karma

Leila here, no need to be frightened of your autographs. You can do a lot of detective work yourself. If it were my collection, the first thing I would do is check out the auctions that handle this type of material, RR Auctions, Weiss Auctions, Heritage Auctions, Julien's, Profiles In History, Leland's, Cowan's, Goldin's and there are many more. They have auction data bases that should have some sales of similar items. Then, you can send a selection to one or several of these auction houses and ask for estimate requests, which will give you a further sense of the market.

munnyfish2 karma

What was the most undervalued item you've seen?

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Sebastian here - very hard to say. Rago Auctions just sold the largest natural pearl to come to auction for $825,000! The client nearly sold it for scrap... http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/record-setting-natural-saltwater-pearl-to-auction-281747671.html

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Leila here...the lady who brought in the 1871 Red Stockings items had been offered $10,000 for the lot...

NorbitGorbit2 karma

outside of ebay, what's the best way to directly sell a collectible without going through a reputable auction house?

Antiques-Roadshow3 karma

Sebastian here - Honestly there isn't. While you pay an auction house a premium you pay them to do all the work for you! Yes, I am slightly biased...

Antiques-Roadshow3 karma

Leila here...I do believe in eBay and recommend that if you are willing to do the work to photograph and describe the items and upload them...

whimsy432 karma

How did you get started in your line of work? Thanks for doing this ama!

Antiques-Roadshow10 karma

Sebastian here - I didn't finish high school and got a job moving furniture for an auction house. I fell in love with the business. That was 20 years ago this month!

Antiques-Roadshow9 karma

Leila here...My bio title should be "My Life In Junk!" I never intended to do this. I actually grew up in a junkyard and wanted to be a journalist. My dad ran an automotive salvage yard. I had a go-kart when I was 10, also the year he started collecting antique toys and automotive signs. We spent many summers on the road "junking" and at the Brimfield, MA outdoor shows. My degree is in journalism, but I ended up running the junk yard for several years and then we went into the antiques business fulltime. In 1995 I interviewed with the Roadshow and was on the very first show in Concord, specializing in toys. Three years later I was recruited by Sotheby's in NYC to run their collectibles department, handling sports, entertainment, toys, comics, animation art, etc. For the past 6 years I have been a full time appraiser, preparing written appraisals for insurance, estates and donations...the journalism degree was the best training I could have as I do the same, gather information, analyze it and then tell the story. The only difference is that there is a number at the end!

Antiques-Roadshow4 karma

I applied online! --Hannah

sharkdog732 karma

What do you find to be the most common item people bring in? In other words, what do you see time and time again that just makes you cringe when you see it walk through the door?

Antiques-Roadshow6 karma

Hannah answering with Sebastian's suggestion--we made you a handy list: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/fts/things-we-commonly-see_ss.html.

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Leila here - On sports we see stamped baseballs, baseballs that were sold as souvenirs at the stadium and were not handsigned by the players. We also see late sports cards (1980's on) that were produced in large quantities and have little value today. On collectibles we see lots of postcard albums, used records, children's sewing machines (why they don't go to toys, I don't know).

SydWashere1 karma

Leila - I am a big fan of musicians, and I would really like to put together a piece that is autographed by musicians that have gone to early (was thinking something along the lines of Syd Barrett, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley). What kind of authentication do I want to have for these gentlemen? I am a sports card collector, and I know that PSA is the go to for sports, is there something similar for musicians? Can you recommend an auction house or a dealer that specifies in this kind of memorabilia? I appreciate it!

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Syd - Leila here, today PSA and JSA both authenticate entertainment as well as sports autographs and are generally the acknowledged third party authenticators. There are numerous auction houses that handle this type of material, including Heritage, Julien's, RR Autographs, Profiles In History, Leland's, Premiere Auctions, EAC Gallery, American Memorabilia and others. Dealers include Gotta Have It! in NYC. This should give you a good start...

buluscari1 karma

[deleted]

Antiques-Roadshow1 karma

Leila here...I wish that we filmed in the winter, Telluride would be perfect! We were in Denver a couple of years ago, would love to add Telluride...

Antiques-Roadshow1 karma

Leila here...I wish that we filmed in the winter, Telluride would be perfect! We were in Denver a couple of years ago, would love to add Telluride...

Antiques-Roadshow1 karma

Sebastian here - Sign me up! Unfortunately I believe there are constraints such as convention center size etc..

Antiques-Roadshow1 karma

Do you guys have a convention center that can hold us? That is often the #1 question. I'd LOVE to go to Telluride. --Hannah

whimsy431 karma

Are there any annual antique fairs/shows you would highly recommend visiting? (Globally)

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Sebastian here - TEFAF is maastricht is the best global fair out there... http://www.tefaf.com/

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Leila here...Brimfield, which is held three times a year, May, July and September...Atlantique City, which is in the spring and the fall...

Antiques-Roadshow1 karma

I second Brimfield. You're likely to run into a ROADSHOW appraiser and/or staff member there. --Hannah

SammaATL1 karma

What is the best way to get an appraisal for unusual items? For example, I have a camphor wood trunk with mother of pearl inlay my grandparents bought in Vietnam or Hong Kong, and I have a pair of Eastern Star diamond earrings with a matching ring.

I can't find anything even similar looking on the internet.

Antiques-Roadshow5 karma

Leila here, my first suggestion is to start with a local auction house and if they haven't seen it, they might be able to refer you. You can also look for auction houses that handle material from the Far East. Jewelry should be much easier as there are numerous auction houses.

Antiques-Roadshow3 karma

Sebastian here - I would start with pbs.org/antiques - it is a great resource for appraisers.

whimsy431 karma

I wrote up a few questions to ask so you'll see a few from me. Hope that's okay! Why do you think that teak furniture has suddenly gained so much popularity recently? People are going teak crazy here. Thanks!

Antiques-Roadshow3 karma

Sebastian here - The market for 'export' furniture including pieces made of exotic wood like Teak has always been popular, with the increased wealth of the Asian markets there is much more demand

whimsy431 karma

Are there any kinds of collectibles or antiques you simply can't stand, for whatever reason? (Maybe there's too much hype about them or just a personal taste). I'm not a fan of Wedgwood pottery, I think it's just awful to look at. Thanks!

Antiques-Roadshow6 karma

Sebastian here - Personally I am not a fan of Music boxes..we see dozens on Roadshow and I always have to smile and be polite...

whimsy431 karma

Have you ever had someone get so upset by an appraisal that they had to be escorted away?

Antiques-Roadshow2 karma

Sebastian here - as an appraiser we are often the bearers of bad news. You have to very cautious about how to handle peoples expectations. The item may be junk to us but it is a treasured heirloom to the guest.

BrightenthatIdea1 karma

I would like to have Rick from Pawn Stars do a guest spot, can you make that happen?

Antiques-Roadshow5 karma

Sebastian here - when you watch Roadshow you are benefiting expertise 120 specialists from all of the country.