Antiques Roadshow descends into chaos as host | TV Shows

A decades-old flea market discover sparked pressure on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow this week, as an appraiser was caught in the center of a husband and spouse’s ongoing debate over the authenticity of a gramophone bought abroad.

“We picked it up maybe 25 years ago in Ljubljana, Slovenia,” the visitor explained on Antiques Roadshow.

The couple had just wrapped up a climbing journey through the Slovenian Alps when they noticed the piece shining in the morning solar at a riverside flea market.

“My husband has always been convinced it’s authentic because it came from Europe,” she said.

“I know there are knockoffs that look just like it and are worth about $100.”

The appraiser for the show stepped in fastidiously, avoiding the marital drama.

“Well, I’ll try to do my best,” he said. “Now, the markets have changed since I first appraised these. There are authentic pieces and there are later productions.”

He pointed to a inexperienced label on the entrance of the gramophone and the rear mounting bracket. “That’s a reproduction feature,” he said. “I would date this in and around the 1940s.”

The appraiser then turned his consideration to the ceramic canine perched beside the gramophone.

The visitor said she purchased it at an outlet store in Savannah and named it “Sparky.”

“He should have his head cocked. The mold maker thought the head tilt was defective, so he changed it. Mine has the head on straight.”

The appraiser corrected her.

“His name is actually Nipper. And he never had a black spot around his eye. The original mold shows his head tilted, listening to his master’s voice. This one was painted outside the lines. So this is the knockoff Nipper.”

Despite the newer parts, the full setup still carried worth.

“With the gramophone and reproduction dog, I’d estimate the auction range at $800 to $1,200,” the appraiser said.

The visitor responded with a grin. “So am I right, or is my husband?”

“That’s the question,” the appraiser smiled. “I think you’re both right.”

PBS teased the second as half of its upcoming episode titled Georgia State Railroad Museum, Hour 1, premiering January 26 at 8:00 p.m. EST.