Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

Well, this was my grandmother's, and she had it over the kitchen sink on a shelf, and she'd always put her string in there.

APPRAISER

Mm-hmm.

GUEST

She'd go to the bakery and get a cake or something, and it was always wrapped in paper, which... And that was the jar, she stuck a string for future use.

APPRAISER

Well, it's a wonderful thing. I see we have an original maker's label in here, where it was made, in New York City. This dates from around 1880.

GUEST

Oh!

APPRAISER

These were made to be on display behind a bar to advertise the beer. In this case, Gambrinus Lager Beer.

GUEST

Yes.

APPRAISER

It has a reverse on glass applied label. This is a curved piece of glass, actually painted on reverse, and then applied to the mug. Most commonly, you find bottles, like a liquor bottle would say the, the name of the brand of liquor.

GUEST

Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER

And it would have a beautiful label on it. It's very rare to see a beer stein advertising beer with this reverse on glass. When I looked into the side here, I saw another little label, a little paper label with 50 on that one.

GUEST

Oh. Oh, I was going to have a garage sale.

APPRAISER

Mm-hmm.

GUEST

And I put prices on a couple of things I had, but I never had the garage sale. (chuckles)

APPRAISER

I wish I'd been at that garage sale. Because I'll tell you-- you know what this is worth?

GUEST

Haven't the faintest idea.

APPRAISER

Between $2,000 and $4,000.

GUEST

Oh, go on.

APPRAISER

Yes, indeed.

GUEST

(whimpering)

APPRAISER

So you have a real, real treasure here.

GUEST

(breathlessly) $2,000 to $4,000?

APPRAISER

Yes, at, at an auction, where you had some real competition, you could certainly bring $2,000 to $4,000. And who knows? Maybe a little more.

GUEST

(voice breaking) I can't believe it.

APPRAISER

Take good care of it.

GUEST

(whimpers) Well, thank you.