1-3 Antique Road Show

Johnny J. Goplin
1-3 Antique Road Show
March 9, 2009
HUMN 341-Q1WW
Morris Schottenstein











The article that I chose for this analysis is Narratives of Value and the Antique Road show “ A game of recognition” The intented audience of this article is many and for all types of people, the average person who collects antiques or just about anything of value. As in the article on page 9, sentence 7, meaningful relationships between people is commonly connected with objects; households are often full of such reminders. This is also a great research tool for people looking to research specific items that they have, that are shown being appraised on the show. This show is also intended for the average viewer, as they show and appraise a wide range of items covering many different genres. Another intended audience of the Antique Road show is historians, the majority of each segment is dedicated to stories that are based upon sentimental or historical narratives of value. With almost every item shown the person showing the item may have a significant story to tell about this item. After the person showing the item and tells of their story, an appraiser will elaborate more on the items historical significance.
Antique Road show travels from city to city, and they bring with them as many as 75 appraisers that are experts in all fields of antiques, and they can appraise many if not all the items shown. This crew of appraiser’s will bring with them the knowledge to get approximate appraisals for the person showing the item. The excitement with the item being shown is the appraised price itself. It is a great moment for actual human emotion, and watching it on TV is also a very gratifying moment, as well. The story ends by the appraiser usually asking how much the person paid for the item. The primary reason for bringing the item to be shown is to find out the monetary value of the item being brought in to show.
The article starts out by examine why an item is worth anything in the first place such as the market value, historical value. Sentimental value, artistic value and entertainment value. Throughout the article these reasons for the value are discussed in great detail. The point gone over and over again in this article is not only the monetary of each person items, but the stories that bring with them about these items. With just the items being appraised, they may be worth a great deal, but with providence and actual facts to back up items, they are usually worth more and many are historical pieces. The clip ends with the appraisers thanking the person who brought in the item for sharing their stories not only the item.
The style of this article is very well written with the first paragraph setting the stage for the rest of the article. The first paragraph covers what this article is about, and throughout the article it is right on queue with the given information. It starts out about a market value on historical, sentimental, artistic, and entertainment objects and how the value of these items are translated into commodities. The article starts with a short history of the Antique Road Show itself and then dives into the human drama with stories and appraisals. With the interjectory of the stories from the show throughout the article it makes it very entertaining and fun to read.
The article goes on with different points that were mentioned in the opening paragraph. Everything runs smoothly, with the definition of art nouveau, to the importance of an items historical significance. This article was easy to read and entertain as well, with the real life stories being told and real life emotions that come to life.
A key point to this article for me is when the question is asked, does it take a professional to determine what is valuable and what is not and what good taste is and what is not in good taste. There is examples on what a person’s taste may be like, this person may have good taste in a collectible, but it may not be worth much in monetary value. This article also talks about a person looking at a great old piece and seeing it vibrant and full of life and buying it and it turns out to be wonderful and expensive item. The key point is also, on how a person is trained and educated on antiques and collectibles, but they may not be an expert in all things old and collectible. This article says it does not take an expert in the field of antiques and collectibles to buy something that is worth a great deal of money, just good eyes and buy what they like.
The stories told here are very entreating. There is some stories told of objects being appraised which are one of the best parts of this article. After the appraiser gives his appraised price, the owner reactions are priceless. There are reactions of shock, happiness, pleasure and just truly emotionally amazed. There are also the reactions from the people who may have thought they had something very expensive and rare and it turns out it is worthless, and the person reacts bummed or mad.
This article shows what makes up the Antique Road Show and how items/treasures are appraised, along with the stories of these items. After all is done the reactions from the owners are priceless as well. For the appraisers, when they find out how much they paid for an item their reactions are also priceless.

Narratives of Value and the Antiques Roadshow: “A Game of Recognitions” The Journal of Popular Culture, Volume 41, issue 1 (February 2008), p. 3-20