Antiques Roadshow Season 8 Episode 12 Savannah - Hour 3
- April 12, 2004
In this episode of Antiques Roadshow, the show visits the charming Southern town of Savannah for the third hour of appraisals. The show is hosted by Mark L. Walberg, who welcomes a variety of guests to the show, each displaying their ornate and unique antiques. From the moment of the first appraisal, the audience is taken on a journey of stories and history that have been stored away in these antiques for generations.
One of the first items to be brought in for appraisal is a late 19th-century 14-karat gold sphere pendant filled with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and other precious gems. The owner tells the story of how it was given to her great-grandmother by a prominent New York City philanthropist, and how it survived a devastating house fire in the 1950s. Mark Walberg is amazed by the item's rarity and value, and the owner is overjoyed to hear that her family keepsake is worth more than she ever could have imagined.
The next item to be appraised is a rare menu from the Titanic's last lunch on April 14, 1912, just before the ship struck an iceberg and sank. The menu was owned by the grandfather of the current owner, who was a first-class passenger on the Titanic. The owner tells the story of how his grandfather barely survived the disaster, going overboard with only a life preserver and being rescued by a lifeboat several hours later. The menu brings tears to the eyes of many audience members when they realize the significance of the item and the tragedy that it signifies.
A beautiful piece of furniture, a late 18th-century Chippendale camelback sofa, is brought to the show next. The owner tells the story of how her great-grandparents purchased it just before the Civil War, and how it was used by her family as a centerpiece in the parlor of their plantation house for decades. Mark Walberg marvels at the item's condition and how it has survived years of wear and tear in its original state. Upon learning of the sofa's significance, Mark tells the owner that the piece is one of the most valuable antiques he has seen on the program so far.
Other items that are appraised in this episode include a collection of art deco platinum and diamond bracelets, a rare and beautifully crafted gypsy vase, a series of hand-carved scrimshaw pieces made in the 19th century, and a late 19th-century wool Oriental rug that is still in excellent condition. Each item is valued and judged on its individual merit, but all are appreciated for their unique place in history and their significance to the families who brought them to the show.
The owners of each item all display a genuine love and appreciation for their antiques, and their passion is shared with the audience. The guests on Antiques Roadshow exemplify the importance of preserving and appreciating history, and the program provides a fascinating insight into the stories and memories that are held within each available antique.
The show concludes with Mark Walberg's final thoughts on the antiques that were brought in for appraisal, and how these items have helped bring Savannah's rich history to life. Antiques Roadshow is a program that truly celebrates the beauty and importance of our past, and the stories and memories that they hold. Episode 12 of season 8 is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, antiques, or the stories of our ancestors.