Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest kept family heirloom hidden for years — then he learnt its real value (marketrealist.com)
Hidden Treasure Unearthed on Antiques Roadshow!
An Antiques Roadshow guest recently discovered that a family heirloom tucked away under his bed was worth a small fortune. The guest brought a vintage weathervane and clock, gifts given to his grandparents upon their retirement from a lodge in upstate New York, to the show. He admitted the items had been relegated to under-the-bed storage during a home remodel, almost forgotten until a friend suggested he take them to Antiques Roadshow.
Expert John Delaney quickly identified the “weathervane” as a barometer and noted the unusual pairing of the clock and barometer, likely intended to flank a window or door. He pointed out the distinct features of each piece, a silvered brass dial on the barometer and an enamel dial on the clock. Delaney further revealed that both items were crafted by the New York-based Caldwell Company around 1880, praising their remarkable quality for the period.
The guest was stunned when Delaney appraised the pair at $4,500 in a retail setting after a good cleaning and polishing. “Wow,” he chuckled, clearly surprised by the valuation. Delaney quipped, “Not bad for having something under your bed,” to which the guest heartily agreed, his eyes gleaming with newfound appreciation for his hidden treasures.