Ep 21. Vintage Denver

Vintage Denver, the 21st episode of the 19th season of Antiques Roadshow, takes us to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. This is where antiques experts come to appraise an array of unique and historical treasures brought in by the locals of Denver and surrounding areas.

As always, the show opens with the enthusiastic introduction by the host, Mark L. Walberg, who invites the viewers to join in on this one-of-a-kind, treasure-hunting journey. The show starts on a high note with the appraisal of a 19th century Christian Heurich’s Pre-Prohibition Brewing Beer Tankard. Expert appraiser, Wes Cowan, applauds the tankard for the quality of its craftsmanship and its historical significance. The beer tankard, once used for brewing popular beer in 19th century Washington DC, fetches a handsome appraised value.

The excitement in the hall grows as more and more antiques with intriguing stories behind them are brought in. An exquisite collection of Colorado’s rare and unusual silver objects are the highlight of the day. An appraiser from the Denver Art Museum, Eric Miller, is delighted to hunt through an array of wonderful Colorado-inspired silver objects like the Rocky Mountain Elk Club presentation trophy, Buffalo Bill presentation whip, and a rare citrine and turquoise silver brooch by Colorado’s famous silversmith Fanny Fuest.

In the jewelry section, expert appraiser Kevin Zavian is called in to scrutinize a unique 1920 Art Nouveau ring featuring a prominent emerald. The ring belonged to a woman who had inherited it from her family. As Kevin studies the ring, he states that emeralds from this time period have a contemporary effect on the senses, making them not just beautiful, but powerful as well. The ring has a strikingly bold design and a large stone, which appeals to a modern-day aesthetic, earning it significant appraisal value.

In the painting and print section, as ever, we are treated to a diverse array of artworks from various era and artists. One of the highlights of this section is a painting featured in the show called “Three Sisters”, painted by Colorado’s resident artist Birger Sandzén. The painting, depicting three magnificent Rocky Mountain peaks, is admired by expert appraiser, Colleene Fesko. She describes the painting as an important piece of art showing how the Rockies are an essential part of the American landscape.

A special entry in the episode comes from an owner of an antique bookshop in Denver. He brings along a rare diamond-studded binding book by 17th century Dutch poet Cats. The book that has been in his family for generations is a significant antique that resonates with the history of rare book collections all over the world. Expert appraiser Marco Tomaschett, with a deep appreciation for antique books, is the perfect appraiser to closely inspect and determine its value.

The furniture section of the show brings us many unique pieces with fascinating stories of their own. One such piece is a French Empire-style daybed with an intricate scroll design on the backrest. Expert appraiser Richard Wright, admires the gorgeous silhouette of the daybed and is impressed by the degree of craftsmanship that went into creating it. The daybed has a high-comfort factor that Richard believes would make it valuable in today's markets.

The show comes to an end with one final piece that proves to be the ultimate treasure. It is a collection of unusual pottery pieces that were exhibited in the Spanish Pavilion at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. Expert appraiser Debra Force, with her vast knowledge of Spanish pottery, is quick to recognize it as unusual and extremely valuable. She estimates it to be the most valuable piece in this episode and that it would fetch quite a sum at the auction.

Vintage Denver is a treasure trove of artistic marvels from the life and times of Colorado. It gives us a peek into the long history of this US state and a chance to appreciate the art, culture, and antiquities that make it unique. This episode of the Antiques Roadshow is sure to leave its viewers spellbound and enriched.