| One of the most popular places where people from all | | | | be an antique in the United States. For other things--like |
| over the country display and have their antiques | | | | a table or vase--75 to 100 years worth of life is |
| appraised is at the Antiques Roadshow. The Antiques | | | | considered antique. Other characteristics of an antique |
| Roadshow is just as the name describes--appraisers | | | | include its rarity, its overall condition and how collectable |
| take their antiquing knowledge with them all over the | | | | it is, or was, considered to be. |
| country and locals have their items appraised(Arizona, | | | | For those who enjoy antiquing (i.e. going to various |
| Utah, Alabama, Wisconsin, Hawaii and Pennsylvania | | | | antique outlets to buy items that either adds to their |
| are the Roadshow's destinations this summer). These | | | | collection or they sell to collectors) these are important |
| shows are then aired on PBS (the U.S. version has | | | | things to consider. People who have unwittingly bought |
| been around for over 10 years now!), where people | | | | faux antiques can certainly attest to this. But by |
| watching from home share in owners' joy after being | | | | knowing what to look for and learning some of the |
| informed their oak table is worth tens of thousands of | | | | tools of the trade that appraisers use when |
| dollars. Viewers also share in owners' disappointments, | | | | determining an antique's value, antiquing can be a fun |
| wherein a piece believed to be of great worth is, in | | | | and profitable hobby, sometimes yielding thousands of |
| fact, worth less than what he or she bought it for. | | | | dollars. For example, when the Antiques Roadshow |
| Yet while know antiques are old, what makes an | | | | traveled to Arizona in 2003, a resident's Navajo |
| antique, an antique? Well, that depends on what item | | | | blanket was appraised at between $350,000 and |
| you're talking about. | | | | $500,000. It remains one of the most valuable items |
| If the item is a car, 25 years or more is considered to | | | | featured on the show since its debut. |