Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

I got it at a rummage sale about seven years ago, and I paid about $35 for it. I bought it in the Fond du Lac area. I think it came from Waupun, which there are a lot of Dutch people in Waupun, and basically that's all I know about it.

APPRAISER

What we have here is a child's sled, but it really transcends being a sled and it falls into the category of American folk sculpture. It is American; it's pine. It's an unknown maker. So, there is really not a body of work. It was not mass-produced. It was made lovingly by someone to give to a child to take for sleigh rides. It's beautifully constructed and beautifully carved. And it was made to be used. It is utilitarian, and that's what's so wonderful about it in terms of folk sculpture. You have the screw here that was probably painted over, but is now visible because the paint has popped off of it. And that attached and made the head stronger so the child could hold on to it and it would not break. You have these metal braces inside which curve with the shape of the wing. As you can see, there's a couple of little pieces that are broken off.

GUEST

Right.

APPRAISER

The very, very ends, because it was used. 30 years ago we would have said it's unique. But about 20 years ago another sled, same form, surfaced.

GUEST

Oh.

APPRAISER

And it's approximately twice the size of this one.

GUEST

Oh, my gosh.

APPRAISER

So that leads me to speculate that it might have been made by the same maker for a younger child-- the larger sled being for the older child. Beautifully made, beautiful shaped wood, runners, underneath is the metal. Probably the only thing that wasn't made was this handle. That was turned and probably salvaged off a Victorian doll carriage, something like that.

GUEST

Okay. If I took this to a major show in New York, Philadelphia, I would probably value it at somewhere around $20,000 to $30,000. Oh, my gosh. I could just cry. I had no idea.

APPRAISER

It's a wonderful,

GUEST

Wow.

APPRAISER

wonderful object. So I just thank you today for bringing it in to ANTIQUES ROADSHOW...

GUEST

Well...

APPRAISER

...and sharing it with us.

GUEST

Well, thank you so much. I just never had an idea it would be anything like that. I would never, ever, even consider selling it. I mean, this is something that I'll pass down to my grandchildren.