Chesapeake Collectibles

Season 4 kicks off with a “dream heirloom” - a Louis Vuitton trunk owned by Admiral Leahy, WWII hero. We discover the origins of a rare Robert E. Lee death mask and marvel over the simple brilliance of a century-old folding lunch box. We see original Supreme Court art by a master and are dazzled by a treasure trove of “yard sale” brooches. Feature story: Paul Reed Smith Guitars.

An ancient Chinese scroll, a sweatshirt signed by Johnny Unitas & Colts, and some ingenious folding duck decoys. There’s a charming art deco bracelet, valuable Santa Clara wedding pottery, and a mysterious painting of a little girl with a birdcage. Appraiser Tips: Why you need appraisals.

All new treasures and their stories, including a 4 carat diamond ring kept in a sock. There’s a rare and valuable bronze car hood ornament and an Arabic inscribed sword & dagger from Sudan. Closer to home, we discover glazed ceramics by a famous 19th Century Baltimore potter. And a visit to the Maryland Historical Society to meet the 19th Century “Belle of Baltimore.”

New heirlooms include rare letters by Baltimore’s George Freeman Bragg and Booker T. Washington - plucked from the trash. Another signed letter from Apollo 11 Astronauts to a NASA engineer who helped save that launch. A Tiffany equestrian clock and exquisite Iranian silk rug. A collector strikes it big with two paintings acquired for a fraction of their worth.

It’s an eccentric line-up of artifacts and moving personal stories. We discover an exquisite Tiffany lamp with a rare lampshade - followed by an authentic Borneo poison dart blowgun. There’s a tennis racquet and signed letter from sports legend Arthur Ashe and a collector with dozens of iconic paintings by American illustrator Charles Chickering.

Curiosities include a brown 19th C. batter jug worth five figures. An appraiser confirms a first edition of Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers; it’s a bibliophile’s dream. A collector with a jeweler’s eye brings in yard sale “junk” jewelry sparkling with real diamonds, pearls and rubies. And essential insider tips on how to spot a fake furniture antique.

This week’s antiques range the globe. An 18th Century embroidery celebrating George Washington (worth thousands) is a sharp contrast to a Taoist burial idol from China. One appraiser admires a rare Art Nouveau purse -- with a secret; another waxes nostalgic over a baseball poster autographed by dozens of Hall of Famers. Visit to the MD Historic Society’s War of 1812 exhibit.

Appraiser is astonished by a silver fire megaphone owned by a prominent 19th Century African American leader in the South. We explore vintage Mickey Mouse Toys, and there’s an inscribed Civil War sword from Sharpsburg. A collector brings in a valuable Moorcroft lamp found in her cupboard and mysteries surround a deceased mother’s book, autographed by Samuel Beckett.

A remarkably diverse episode: a collection of a hundred Bakelite plastic bracelets – some worth ten times their original price. A charming story about discovering a George Washington Inaugural button, and our appraiser amazes with her Dutch pronunciations of painter DeRooy. There’s a 18th C. Baltimore shipping ledger with slave trade and a vintage Sedona glass lamp bought at a yard sale.

Eclectic collections this show: we begin with a page from an 18th century Buddhist Sutra, followed by a painting by American artist Charles Towne. There’s a gilded Art Deco clock and an inscribed 44 Smith & Wesson Russian Revolver. We finish with a hand-carved cane and a Civil War Diary and photographs. Our expert book appraiser tells how to find a true first edition.

Great personal stories this show: autographed Orioles bat and balls collection from a lucky bat boy and a hand-carved chess set acquired in Italy. There’s 19th C. hand woven embroidery and a black walnut screen by a Pennsylvania master. White House memorabilia includes burnt wood from the War of 1812. And a fun trip to a collector of all things Star Wars.

An eclectic show including an authentic Clementine Hunter painting, and a charming silver music box, with pop-up bird. Our book Appraiser is excited by a rare Civil War Balloon Field Manual found at a yard sale, originally used by a well-known Confederate engineer. There’s an exquisite Art Deco Mantle Clock and hand-woven Turkomen wall hanging. Appraiser tips on antique silver.

This episode features the tiny and the shiny: an antique gold pocket watch, miniature hand-painted framed portraits and miniature wooden chests. Our Appraiser is excited by a 19th C. Baltimore Claim to Free Slaves in the Army. Also, cartoon collectibles of Frank Tashlin of Hollywood fame and a 1944 Orioles baseball. Appraiser explores a mystery woman in a Civil War photograph.