Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest stunned after expert revealed the value of his 200-year-old cotton dress (marketrealist.com)
A 200-Year-Old Dress Stuns ‘Antiques Roadshow’ Guest With Its Value
An “Antiques Roadshow” guest received a delightful surprise when a seemingly ordinary family heirloom turned out to be extraordinarily valuable. The guest presented an indigo dress passed down from a close friend of his wife’s mother, believing it to be from the 1800s. Expert Deborah Miller quickly corrected him, dating the dress even earlier, to around 1798, and identifying it as a rare example of indigo-printed cotton.
The guest’s astonishment was evident as Miller explained the dress’s intricate manufacturing process. She noted that such complex printing wasn’t possible in the United States at that time, suggesting the fabric likely originated in England.
Miller highlighted the dress’s glazed cotton material, heavy linen bodice lining, drawstring ties, and a modest flap closure. The finely pleated back, entirely handmade, helped pinpoint the dress to the fashionable 1790s.
When asked about its value, the guest admitted he and his wife considered it more of a museum piece than something with monetary worth. Their perception changed dramatically when Miller appraised the dress at $15,000 for insurance purposes, leaving the guest speechless with amazement.