Antiques Roadshow Season 20 Episode 15 Omaha (2016) - Hour 3

In this episode of Antiques Roadshow, the team travels to Omaha, Nebraska for the third hour of their twentieth season. The show begins with host Mark L. Walberg introducing viewers to the various items that will be evaluated throughout the episode, including a buffalo hide coat, an 1882 ship's clock, and a collection of vintage comic books.

The first segment of the show focuses on a set of porcelain figurines made in Germany during the 19th century. The owner of the figurines inherited them from her great-grandmother, who brought them with her when she emigrated from Germany to the United States in the late 1800s. Appraiser Suzanne Perrault explains that the figurines were made by a company called Volkstedt in the Thuringian region of Germany, known for its high-quality porcelain. Perrault notes that while there is some damage to the figurines, they are still quite valuable and estimates their worth at several thousand dollars.

Next, the Antiques Roadshow team evaluates a piece of pottery brought in by a woman whose grandmother was a ceramic artist. The piece is a blue, green, and white vase with a unique shape that the appraiser, Lark Mason, identifies as being consistent with a type of Japanese porcelain called Kutani. Mason notes that the vase is signed by the artist, Kimiaki Hoashi, who is well-known for his work in this style. He values the piece at around $5,000.

The show also takes a look at a set of vintage comic books from the 1940s and 1950s. The owner of the comics recalls buying them as a child and storing them in a box for decades. The appraiser, Todd Weyman, explains that many of the comics are in excellent condition and have significant value to collectors. He values the collection at around $20,000 to $25,000.

Another item evaluated on the show is a brass and copper diver's helmet. The owner of the helmet explains that he found it in his grandfather's attic when he was a child and has kept it ever since. Appraiser Kevin Zavian notes that the helmet is from the early 20th century and could have been used in various maritime industries, from commercial diving to salvage. Zavian estimates the helmet's worth at around $8,000 to $10,000.

The final item evaluated on the show is a buffalo hide coat from the 19th century. The coat is brought in by a descendant of a member of the Omaha tribe who created the coat as part of their cultural traditions. Appraiser John Buxton explains that the coat is a significant artifact of Native American history and culture and notes that many similar items were destroyed during the forced assimilation of Native Americans in the late 1800s. While he cannot assign a monetary value to the coat, he recognizes its importance as a cultural artifact.

Overall, this episode of Antiques Roadshow features a wide variety of items and offers insight into the rich history and culture of Omaha and its surrounding areas. Viewers interested in antiques and history will find plenty of fascinating stories and valuable information in this episode.