Did anyone watch the Antiques Roadshow this week?

[Vinca]

I couldn't believe the lady who, a week before, bought a mirror at a yard sale for $2.00 and it turned out to be a Tiffany Studios peacock mirror worth $20,000 - $30,000. AAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHH!

[blm]

1. saw that.... incredible... couldn't believe anyone would even put it in a yard sale

it was obviously a significant piece.

[Kat45]

2. I can't believe a dealer didn't snap it up early in the morning

There's rarely anything of significant value available to the regular folks at yard sales. The dealers are there before the 'doors' open ready to snatch all the good stuff.

[safeinOhio]

4. Happens more often than you may think.

I stopped at sale on a Sunday just before it closed and found an nice sterling gravy ladle for a quarter. Many of those great buys on ARS were purchased at antique shops too. I know of a lady that bought a civil war era whirly gig at an antique store for $195.00. A few years later one just like it was on ARS and valued at 20 grand. Then there was the antique dealer that bought a bitters bottle at another shop for $35., put in on EBAY with a minimum price of $20 bucks and it ended up selling for over 30 grand. Even the experts on the show specialize in only a few categories. Many treasures sit in plane sight.

[Kat45]

5. Good to know.

Not that I have any expectations, but it's still good to know.

[safeinOhio]

6. It is easy to find a few categories you like and

specialize in those. Learn all you can and then just ask. Early photos, when at a sale just ask if they have any. Many times they'll remember some they haven't put out and no one else has seen yet. Stuff from the 20s, musical instruments, old kitchen gadgets. What ever you like or find interesting.
good luck

[Vinca]

7. There's still hope to find stuff, but it helps to learn all you can

about the things that interest you so you can easily identify items others can't. I've made my best finds later in the day.

[grasswire]

3. peacocks are good on almost anything

I think I would buy most any object if it were cheap and was decorated with peacocks.