Ep 22. Vintage Cleveland

In this episode of Antiques Roadshow, entitled "Vintage Cleveland," the team heads to the city of Cleveland to discover some unique and interesting items. The show begins with host Mark L. Walberg meeting with an appraiser who specializes in vintage guitar amplifiers. The appraiser examines a rare 1941 Gibson amplifier and is impressed by its excellent condition and original parts. The owner is thrilled to find out that it is worth around $3,500.

Next up, antiques expert Wes Cowan appraises a stunning oil painting by American artist James McNeill Whistler. The portrait depicts a young girl with a wreath around her head and is signed "W" in the corner. Cowan notes that it is a very early work by Whistler and could be worth over $500,000.

Another standout item is a collection of Victorian-era mourning jewelry brought in by a woman whose great-grandmother was a funeral director. The jewelry includes brooches, lockets, and even a necklace made from human hair. Appraiser Leila Dunbar is impressed by the range of styles and materials used in the pieces and estimates the collection to be worth over $10,000.

One unique item that catches the appraisers' attention is a vintage fire hydrant from the early 20th century. The owner inherited it from his grandfather, who was a firefighter in Cleveland. Appraiser Gary Piattoni explains the history of fire hydrants and notes that this one is very rare and highly sought after by collectors. He estimates its value to be between $2,500 and $3,500.

A group of friends brings in a collection of artifacts from the famous Cleveland amusement park Euclid Beach Park, which operated from 1895 to 1969. The items include a carousel horse, a menu from the park's restaurant, and a sign from the entrance. Appraiser Ken Gloss notes that Euclid Beach Park was a beloved local institution and that these artifacts are highly sought after by collectors. He estimates the value of the collection to be around $7,000.

One unique item that stands out is a vintage advertising display for Chesterfield cigarettes. The display features a large illuminated clock and was used in a local Cleveland pharmacy in the 1950s. Appraiser David Lackey notes that the clock is in excellent condition and is rare to find in working order. He estimates its value to be around $5,000.

Another interesting item is a collection of vintage pharmacy bottles brought in by a local pharmacist. The bottles are made of embossed glass and date back to the early 20th century. Appraiser Stephen Fletcher notes that these bottles were instrumental in the development of modern medicine and are highly collectible. He estimates the collection's value to be over $2,000.

One heartfelt appraisal features a letter from legendary actor James Dean to a young fan named Barbara. The letter was written just weeks before Dean's tragic death in a car accident in 1955. Appraiser Simeon Lipman notes that the letter is very personal and shows Dean's generosity and kindness towards his fans. He estimates its value to be around $6,000.

Overall, this episode of Antiques Roadshow showcases the diversity and unique history of Cleveland through its fascinating and valuable antiques and collectibles.