Before Pawn Stars and Auction Hunters, there was Antiques Roadshow. This summer the OG appraisal show will film an episode in Cincinnati.
On July 21, the Roadshow will make a stop at an area venue (not yet announced) and hopefully make a few locals a little bit richer (but just a few — it's honestly more fun to watch when people's precious collectables aren't worth jack).—-
Anyone interested in participating should apply online, by mail or by phone before April 16. Tickets are free but awarded by random drawing. The episode will air in 2013. Go here for details.
The British antique appraising program began in 1977 as a documentary, and two years later took on a life as its own show. PBS brought the idea to The States in 1997 and ever since, everyone from Grandmas to stoned channel surfers have enjoyed the program.
Unlike the current "how much is your junk worth?"-type shows, Antiques Roadshow features professional appraisers with specialties like furniture, pop culture and toys from auction houses like Christie's and Sotheby's. One of the most valuable antiques to appear on the show was an Oklahoma man's collection of Chinese rhino horn cups from around the late 17th-early 18th century. Those bad boys were valued at $1-$1.5 million in 2011 (the episode aired just last month).
Other U.S. stops for 2012 include Boston, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Seattle. Antiques Roadshow stopped in Cincinnati once before, in 1998.
