Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ seller gets an astounding appraisal for his $400 box of toy soldiers (marketrealist.com)
A lucky “Antiques Roadshow” guest received a jaw-dropping appraisal for his collection of toy soldiers. Purchased on a whim at auction for $400, the pristine set was valued at a staggering $20,000, much to the owner’s delight.
The guest, who intended to keep the Heyde Buffalo Wild West collection forever, shared his story during an “Extraordinary Finds” episode. He recounted purchasing the set 21 years prior, admitting that $400 felt like a significant sum at the time.
Appraiser Noel Barrett, who called the collection his favorite item in 24 years on the show, explained its significance. The German-made set, dating back to around 1903, was remarkably untouched and complete in its original box, a rare find according to Barrett. He noted the original red string and tissue paper cushioning each piece, emphasizing the set’s pristine condition.
Based on research and consultations with a dealer who recently sold a similar, albeit less pristine, set for $14,000, Barrett initially appraised the collection at $15,000 to $20,000.
The guest, overcome with laughter, shared an anecdote about his father-in-law’s disapproval of the purchase price. He proudly declared that he hadn’t taken the collection out of his house since the appraisal, save for photographs to show at conventions.
In a final, even more astonishing twist, Barrett later updated his appraisal to between $30,000 and $40,000, suggesting it could even reach $50,000 under the right circumstances.