Quiz | April 2011

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

The TV phenomenon that is PBS's Antiques Roadshow continues to draw thousands to stand in Disneyland-like lines for the chance to have an expert tell them whether they've got junk or treasure.

But with our quiz you can sharpen your eye without going out -- and learn about what makes an antique worthy. We tagged along when the Roadshow came to Washington and followed some hopefuls and their possessions.

April 2011
By David Muhlbaum
Photos by Justin Steele

Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 1 of 10

This standard-gauge Lionel locomotive, whose owner paid $3,000 for it five years ago, is now worth:

A. $1,000
B. $4,000
C. $10,000

SCORE: 0 out of 10 correct

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 1 of 10

This standard-gauge Lionel locomotive, whose owner paid $3,000 for it five years ago, is now worth:

You're right! B. $4,000 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is B. $4,000.

Gene Elliot's 400 E model dates from 1935 and, with its black crackle finish, is extremely rare. However, the whole train market -- like that of many collectibles -- has gone a bit south. Nonetheless, the Roadshow appraiser judged it to be worth $4,000 to $5,000, now, very desirable to collectors, and likely to continue to appreciate.

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 2 of 10

This 1942 Gibson guitar -- which still gets regular exercise from its owner -- is worth:

A. $200
B. $1,000
C. $3,000

SCORE: 0 out of 10 correct

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 2 of 10

This 1942 Gibson guitar -- which still gets regular exercise from its owner -- is worth:

You're right! C. $3,000 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is C. $3,000.

Zeke Fiddler, a musician and videographer, picked up this small-bodied acoustic for $200 about 10 years ago. His wife, Kait Handler, brought the guitar to the Antiques Roadshow for appraisal and waited out the long lines to find out it's worth about $3,000. Will they treat it any differently? No, she said -- it will go back into rotation with his other instruments.

SCORE: 0 out of 10 correct

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 3 of 10

This 1951 Murray Manufacturing pedal car has only had one owner -- though the miles on the odometer are unknown. It's worth:

A. $700
B. $1,500
C. $3,000

SCORE: 0 out of 10 correct

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 3 of 10

This 1951 Murray Manufacturing pedal car has only had one owner -- though the miles on the odometer are unknown. It's worth:

You're right! A. $700 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is A. $700.

Here's a motivator to keep your kids from leaving their toys out in the rain -- they might be collectibles some day. Joyanna Moy (L) says she'll hold onto this piece of whimsy she got as a Christmas gift 60 years ago as a present for her grandchildren someday. Its test-driver was her daughter, Katherine Stinson, who played with it when she was younger.

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 4 of 10

A folk art jug like this, with no discernible scratches or damage, could fetch:

A. $25
B. $50
C. $250

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 4 of 10

A folk art jug like this, with no discernible scratches or damage, could fetch:

You're right! C. $250 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is C. $250.

Going to thrift stores really can pay off, it would seem. Seven years ago, Ann Allen (L) paid $2 for this salt-glazed jug in one.

Interestingly, the other item she brought for appraisal, a decorative art vase with a floral pattern that she's holding in this picture, was appraised at about $200 -- and that one she'd bought for $250 from an antiques dealer. A hairline crack the appraiser found took away from the value. Allen's granddaughter Taylor accompanied her to the Antiques Roadshow event.

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 5 of 10

That's a real 19th-century Hawaiian flag -- it even still tastes salty. You'd guess it's worth:

A. $1,000
B. $6,000
C. $20,000

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 5 of 10

That's a real 19th-century Hawaiian flag -- it even still tastes salty. You'd guess it's worth:

You're right! B. $6,000 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is B. $6,000.

Katy Masek's great, great grandfather -- a whaler -- married the last princess of Maui before the island's monarchy was overthrown, and the flag's been in the family ever since. That's the kind of provenance appraisers want to see.

After the estimate, Masek and her husband said they might be tempted to sell it to an buyer who'd appreciate its significance, like a museum.

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 6 of 10

Contemplating a bid for buddha? How about:

A. $500
B. $1,000
C. $5,000

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 6 of 10

Contemplating a bid for buddha? How about:

You're right! C. $5,000 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is C. $5,000.

And to think, Eric Curtis only paid $100 for this fellow. Asian art is hot these days, say appraisers, especially early Chinese porcelain and jade.

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 7 of 10

Lovely quilt, no? The owner paid $475 for it just weeks before bringing it to the road show. What's it really worth?

A. $25
B. $500
C. $5,000

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 7 of 10

Lovely quilt, no? The owner paid $475 for it just weeks before bringing it to the road show. What's it really worth?

You're right! B. $500 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is B. $500.

Joseph and Michele Sutera bought the quilt in an antique shop where they'd been told it was from the late 1800s, but the appraiser noticed parts of it were made with rayon, a synthetic fabric that wouldn't have been used back then. It more likely dates from the 1930s. Nonetheless, it was appraised at $500 to $700.

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 8 of 10

How much for this water's-edge scene? (Matching shirt not included)

A. $10
B. $100
C. $2,500

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 8 of 10

How much for this water's-edge scene? (Matching shirt not included)

You're right! C. $2,500 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is C. $2,500.

Cathy and Michael Wolniewicz brought a number of items to the show, a painting that had been in his family's house for some time. Cathy had her doubts. "I said if it was worth more than $10 I'd eat my shoe."

Turns out it may date from the 1920s and be part of the genre of 'plein aire' painting. His roadshow appraiser put it at about $2,500. Would you like your shoe boiled, broiled or fricasseed, Mrs. Wolniewicz?

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 9 of 10

Got a fife? Need a drum? One like this that dates back to the Civil War is worth:

A. $500
B. $1,500
C. $15,000

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 9 of 10

Got a fife? Need a drum? One like this that dates back to the Civil War is worth:

You're right! B. $1,500 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is B. $1,500.

Nadine Moehlenamp's family hails from Ohio, near Ashland, and her great, great uncle, who fought in the Civil War, likely brought this back to their family farm. That provenance was part of what led their appraiser to value it at between $1,500 and $2,000.

"I was pleasantly surprised," said Moehlenkamp, who had thought it wasn't worth much because of wear and tear. Her husband, Chris, accompanied her to the event in Washington, D.C.

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 10 of 10

She's ceramic, is over 100 years old, and was made in Germany. This doll is worth:

A. $100
B. $500
C. $1,000

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Question 10 of 10

She's ceramic, is over 100 years old, and was made in Germany. This doll is worth:

You're right! B. $500 is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is B. $500.

Owner Steve Hassmer found out that yes, collectibles can lose value. The doll, made by a German firm called Simon and Halbig, was appraised when it was renovated in 1987 at $950.

"Alas, the doll market is down right now," said Hassmer. "Darn this economy!"

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Quiz

How Much Is Your Junk Worth?

Results: 0 out of 10 Right

See Also
Dollar Store Deal...or No Deal?
What's Hot at the Antiques Roadshow
How to Appraise, Insure, and Sell Your Collectibles
How to Buy Foreclosures

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