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Not Always On The Mark...

10/8/2017

 
PictureGrotesque Face Jug
Florida - We always hear about the "pros" fabulous stories and valuations over the years, but every once in a while even the Antiques Roadshow can have a rather embarrassing (and somewhat major) hiccup.

When an episode of the long-running show was filming in Spokane, Washington, dedicated thrifter and estate sale attendee Alvin Barr came to the show's pre-approval desk with a glazed redware jug standing at just under twelve-inches tall, and embossed with a series of decorated faces on the rounded surface.
 
Barr had apparently come across the unusual jug while at an estate sale in Eugene, Oregon, "It was covered with dirt and straw, and some chicken droppings," said Barr. After a little brush-off, I suddenly realized, "I simply had to have it,” and forked over $300 to the sales owner. "It somehow spoke to me,” he later said.

To Barr's surprise, he was bumped up to Roadshow appraiser, Stephen Fletcher (who seemed similarly enthused), and gave the piece of redware pottery a date that placed it sometime in the 19th century. Fletcher was so enamored with the piece, he even commented that, "...you could even see a little bit of, like, Pablo Picasso going on here.” With remarkable assuredness, Fletcher went on to put the jug's retail value in the neighborhood of between $30,000 to $50,000.

The problem was, it wasn't worth that at all.

Nor did the jug come from any period in the Victorian era either. The
grotesque face jug, as it became known on the set, was in fact not centuries old, but rather made in 1973 by a young woman attending a high school ceramics class. While watching the show, a friend recognized the piece, and contacted the Roadshow to let them know that the artist in question, was one Betsy Soule, a horse trainer from Oregon. Soule claimed she just made whatever popped into her head in those days, "You know, It was high school..."

When contacted about the piece by other media outlets, Soule went on to express surprise, and stated, "
I thought Alvin Barr paid too much for it at $300."

PBS immediately corrected the "error" on the station's website, once the jug's creative source became clear. As for appraisal expert Fletcher, he sheepishly admitted that the whole incident would have to be written up as a learning experience. “Obviously, I was mistaken as to its age by 60 to 80 years. I feel the value at auction, based on its quality and artistic merit, is in the $3,000-$5,000 range. Still not bad for a high schooler in Oregon.”

That's quite possibly true, but for the uninitiated hoping to make a career out of potting (or collecting and selling antiques), perhaps that assessment should be taken with a grain of salt too...

- A.I.A. Writer's Staff

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    Legal Disclaimer: Extraneous opinions, statements and comments made by individuals represented within these posts do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute. The publication naming of specific business entities, organizations, and concerns, contained herein, in no way represents an endorsement or recommendation of services or products by the Institute. Publicly identifiable information contained herein (including, but not limited to contact information), has been intentionally limited where possible, due to privacy and legal concerns related to the digital dissemination of information through online means. All views expressed herein are those of their respective owners. The Institute is in no way responsible, financially or otherwise, for the accuracy or validity of statements contained within published posts from sources that originate and appear outside of the written and expressed views of those submitted by the Institute.

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  • Home
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  • Course Prospectus
    • Course Outline
    • taking the e-Course
    • 15 Teaching Aids
  • Become An Appraiser
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    • AIA Appraisers - National Columnists
    • Articles From The Founder
  • Start An Antiques & Vintage Business
    • FAQ's About The Course
    • 2022 Survey Results
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  • Conduct Estate Sales
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  • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy & TOU
  • 2022s Top Antique And Vintage Trends