posted on April 30, 2005 11:02:26 PM new
I was cruising the local garage sales today and picked up an interesting green vase. It is about 14 inches high and on the bottom it says, "Imperial U.S.A. F31" I like this thing, my wife doesn't. I got it for $5 so I figure the downside is pretty low. When I google Imperial or Imperial USA, I get almost nothing. I get nothing for F31, Imperial F31... Does anyone have any idea what I have? I can take a couple of pictures tomorrow if need be, but I don't have a Vendio picture acct, so I don't know how I would post them. Anyhoo... any info would be appreciated.
BTW, The antique road show is coming to Los Angeles in August and I've signed up for tickets... anyone else ever do this? I may have to raid my parent's art collection for this show.
posted on May 1, 2005 12:43:39 AM new
Roadshow-It was a long and tiring day. You wait in line so if you have some small folding chairs it would be to your advantage to carry them. Now nothing heavy. You know the ones you take camping that fold up and they have no back. Weigh just a couple of pounds. We got in line about 10am but didn't get into the roadshow until 4. They have a way of making that line so that it looks short but it really is long. It is better to be first that later in the day because the appraisers get testy at the end also. Good Luck.
posted on May 1, 2005 03:58:08 AM new
I watch the Antiques Roadshow. I love to see what people have. Just be forewarned, most of their appraisals are way off the mark and a majority is insurance values. A dealer friend of mine laughs from time to time when watching it. When one of the Road Show's appraisers appraises something he has in his shop for a lot of money, he comments, "I wish". Saying your item is worth $5,000 and getting $5,000 are two very different things. Of course, those of us who sell on eBay know that already!
Their giving the insurance value rather than "real" value makes me smile, too.
Like those yard sale hosts who've "researched" Ebay for various items and say "This is going for $____ on Ebay." They mean "Some fool is asking this much--but no bids yet!" They think they're so knowledgeable but haven't researched what similar items have actually sold for. Delusions of grandeur.
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posted on May 1, 2005 02:24:38 PM new
bcpostcards, that item you posted is exactly my vase, except mine is F31, not f32. Everything else seems exactly the same. Thanks.
The tickets to the roadshow are free (I guess you can ebay them
Saying what they are worth and getting it are two different things, as usual. If they say $1000 Insurance, that means really, you can get $250 CASH.
posted on May 3, 2005 06:49:05 AM new
We went to the Roadshow in NYC just after we moved here 4 years ago. It was fun. You can take 2 items each. It is amazing how fast they get through all the people. Volunteers can have items appraised too and are there all day.
The appriaser we had come to the house a few weeks ago is also on TV in this area and didn't think much about that show. We brought an arts and crafts highly embossed chair. They said it was only was only $100.00 and they called it tramp art. He said no way - that it was German, and was all wood burned and early 20th century and worth just over $1000.00.
We also brought a lap zyther and they told us the story behind these instruments. It was one of the first things sold door to door back in the 20's and could be paid off in weekly payments. It isn't worth much but the story was very interesting.
If we ever go back we will take things that we want to know more about the history of it as well as the value.
And if you watch the show it is great fun seeing all the appriasers up close or being lucky enough for them to appriase your item.
Don't hurry out of there, take your time and enjoy. Louise
