Antiques Roadshow guest shocked as she finds out | TV Shows

It’s common for artifacts to earn high costs on Antiques Roadshow, but it was particularly surprising when a century-old toy boat offered for $20,000, with the show later updating the estimate to $40,000.

A guest introduced in a 1910 Marklin “Puritan” toy boat that had been in her household for generations.

She explained how it got here to her, saying, “It was given as a gift to my father’s brother for his ninth birthday in 1914. There was quite a difference in age, about ten years, between my father and his brother. My dad was the baby, and the two of them had great memories of playing with this boat as they grew up in the Chicago area.”

When requested by appraiser Noel Barrett if the toy had ever been used in water, she admitted, “I have great memories of this floating in my swimming pool in the backyard when I was growing up.”

Barrett explained the historical past of the producer. “So Marklin is the producer of this boat, which is a German company. They first went into business in 1859. Originally, they just made dollhouses and dollhouse furnishings and issues like that.”

“Another boat like this one got an auction estimate of $12,000,” he added. “Wow! Amazing!” the guest responded. Barrett added, “But it sold for $20,000. And there’s no reason this one couldn’t do the same.” The guest reacted with disbelief, saying, “My goodness!”

Before finishing the segment, Barrett advised the guest not to use the toy in water again. She agreed, saying, “I promise I won’t. And it hasn’t been in the water for over 50 years.”

The PBS web site later up to date the appraisal to $40,000, giving the household heirloom a larger worth than initially anticipated.