Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

I was just out antiquing one day, and I went to a shop, and it caught my eye. It wasn't marked yet. I'm into old lamps from the '60s, '50s, '70s.

APPRAISER

And where was the shop?

GUEST

Mid Bismarck, on Main.

APPRAISER

So a local shop.

GUEST

Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER

And how much did you pay for it?

GUEST

$35.

APPRAISER

$35. So it's a great example of a chromed lamp from the 1970s. The label on the back says Torino Lamp Company, which is an Italian company. Other than that information, there's not a lot out there about the manufacturer.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

I have seen this in various other forms. A woman, a shorter figure, a dog.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

I've seen a policeman, as well. But other than those items that have sold or are selling, there's really no information about the manufacturer. I did find a Montgomery Ward catalogue from 1979, online...

GUEST

Really?

APPRAISER

...that has the original retail price for the piece.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

At $129.99.

GUEST

Wow.

APPRAISER

So you're ahead of the game already.

GUEST

(chuckling): Yeah.

APPRAISER

Despite the fact that we don't have information about the company, the modern market has exploded in the last ten years. So anything that has a great look, which this does, is going to do well in the marketplace.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

Condition-wise, it's almost perfect for a piece of this age. Wouldn't be uncommon to see either pitting or rust coming through. You don't see that at all on this. It has the original light bulb.

GUEST

Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER

On the top. These are replacements here on the sides. I love this on and off switch, which is his nose, controlling the lights. All three on. I love the illumination and the light in the eyes.

GUEST

Right.

APPRAISER

Which is fantastic. Well, I talked with some of my colleagues backstage, and this does have a lot of wow factor. I think in today's marketplace, at auction, we'd be looking at $1,500 to $2,500.

GUEST

Wow, very cool.