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Re:
Well, mariss, I think if that gentleman had inherited that clock as a family heirloom, he would obviously have been reluctant to part with it. But since it was a "gift" that was just sitting in the back of his closet for fifty years, I guess he saw the price tag as a little difficult to resist! Yeah, not a lot of people have such items hiding in the backs of their closets! 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 25, 2013 at 11:12 AM
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That is something else! I doubt I have anything quite that valuable in my Apartment closet, but wish I did. I would hate to part with the one in your story
, but would do it.
posted by
mariss9
on January 25, 2013 at 8:17 AM
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Re:
That's wonderful, Against. Sometimes things happen for a reason. I suppose that the original owner may have just had the piece hanging in his home somewhere, and wasn't really sure of its value. But what it may have brought to other, less-fortunate people may be priceless! 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 22, 2013 at 2:11 PM
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Re:
It can be amusing, C C T, in both directions! Sometimes the appraisal is for much, much more than the people anticipated, and sometimes people are shocked to learn that they either have a "fake," or else their prized possession isn't as valuable as they originally thought! It really does come down to "supply & demand," and who would be willing to pay what for any specific item. Still a fun show to watch though . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 22, 2013 at 2:09 PM
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A few weeks back, I heard about someone donating a painting to the Salvation Army or Goodwill and the thrift store management discovered that it was a masterpiece. The proceeds they gained from it did much to boost their funds.
posted by
Against4WindsOn2Flam
on January 22, 2013 at 12:32 PM
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My brother used to deal in antiques in a lowly manner Jimmy he received crates of delicate glass by rail from Wales. The dealer bought it by cold calling on cottagers I expect. His favourite were musical boxes. I once bought copper kettles thought they would make a bomb one day. Took one to an antique shop about a year ago. The owner said they could not give them away no one wants to buy work. Musical boxes are a different kettle of fish. It always amuses me on those shows to see the expression on the owners face at learning the value of their prized possession.
posted by
C_C_T
on January 22, 2013 at 11:58 AM
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Re: JimmyA
Really, Wiley? That's very interesting. My wife has always been a big fan of antiques as well, and we visit as many shops as we can during our many travels. However, I don't think I could ever do "antiquing" myself as a serious business, primarily because I really wouldn't have any idea as to what is an authentic piece, and what may be a forgery. As you must well know, there are a lot of "fakes" out there!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 22, 2013 at 8:30 AM
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Re:
Well, believe it or not, sam, I have seen certain articles of clothing that did have substantial auction estimates attached to them. Of course there had certain prominences connected to them as well ( a game-jersey worn by Willie Mays, the dress Marilyn Monroe wore in "Some Like It Hot," etc. ). Maybe it's time to start going through that stuff! If you don't find anything of real value, at least you would have accomplished cleaning out the closet!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 22, 2013 at 8:27 AM
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Re:
I believe, FSI, that the general train of thought is "what the market will bear." In other words, how valuable is a particular piece to someone else, and what would they be willing to pay for it? There are all sorts of collectors and collections out there, and with a little research, you too could be sitting on a $100,000 item! Ya never know . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 22, 2013 at 8:21 AM
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Re: I have enjoyed that show as well and have spent my life collecting
Hey, ya never know, Kabu. They always say, one person's junk is another person's treasure! Something that may seem relatively invaluable to you may be worth a great deal to someone else, especially if it's a rare item. It never hurts to inquire about them!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 22, 2013 at 8:18 AM
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Re:
He may have been, adnohr. I know that certain LP's have fetched a pretty good sum in certain circles. I just hope that, wherever they're stored, they aren't near any sources of heat! Those records just don't sound the same once they start to liquify!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 22, 2013 at 8:17 AM
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Re: Jimmy
Then I suppose, Naut, that you've seen some amazing appraisals yourself over time. Yeah, I don't think running shoes or a busted squash racket will fetch too much on the antiques market, even a hundred years from now!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 22, 2013 at 8:14 AM
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Re:
Well that doesn't sound fair, lustor! I don't recall ever seeing any sewing machines being appraised on the Antiques Roadshow, but I have seen several violins, and some of them were worth a pretty penny! Maybe it's something you should check in to . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 22, 2013 at 8:12 AM
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JimmyA
Loved that show and owned my own antique store for years
posted by
WileyJohn
on January 21, 2013 at 6:49 PM
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How astounding! Good for him, too! I have nothing like that in my closets, just clothing and shoes that should have been tossed! LOL! sam 
posted by
sam444
on January 21, 2013 at 1:09 PM
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That was one awesome gift to receive, that is for certain. Reading this has me wondering what things we have that are worth lots and lots of money.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on January 21, 2013 at 11:39 AM
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I have enjoyed that show as well and have spent my life collecting
but nothing to compare with such a win.
posted by
Kabu
on January 21, 2013 at 11:01 AM
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Wow! Great story! Not quite in the same league, but I've been told the LP collection my brother left me could be quite valuable, so am having it checked out now. He had warned me not to give them to anyone, that they were worth money, and I was suspecting it was just his pack-rat personality talking. Appears he was right!
posted by
adnohr
on January 21, 2013 at 10:12 AM
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Jimmy
Amazing story...I know any of my things, like old running shoes, a busted squash racket, a rusty BB gun and stuff like that gathering dust in the back of my closets will have to sit around for several hundred years or so longer before they fetch that kind of money...And yes, the ARS is one of my favourite shows as well...
posted by
Nautikos
on January 21, 2013 at 9:44 AM
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my mom had a violin that was my grandfathers he had from Sweden and my brother ended up with it and at the time of my moms death it was probably close to a hundred years old or older I often wonder if my brother has sold it and of course didnt share it with me.
Other items too such as one of those pedal sewing machine by Snger he took too
posted by
Lanetay
on January 21, 2013 at 8:46 AM
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