We are ANTIQUES ROADSHOW account executive Hannah Auerbach joined by expert appraisers Leila Dunbar and Sebastian Clarke - AUA!

What is the strangest thing you've ever had to appraise at the show?

Leila here...the strangest thing on Collectibles was a gentleman who brought in a piece he claimed was Lyndon Johnson's fart in a jar...we couldn't authenticate it...

I didn't appraise this (or anything else for that matter) but we love these potty babies: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/201202A16.html. --Hannah

Sebastian here - a baby coffin. Was unnerving...

Also, one of our "triage" workers (the initial generalists who categorize your items at the show) told me about a box of hair someone brought that belonged to a baseball cult? She sent them to the sports table. Sorry Leila! --Hannah

What are your opinions on people who "shabby chic" perfectly good old wood furniture? (Directed to Sebastian I suppose). I know some pieces can brought back because it's real wood, but I just cringe when I see it, and it's very popular where I live. Thanks!

Sebastian here - I hate it! You could be killing a great piece of 18th century furniture... please stop now.

What would you say, based on what you've appraised for the show, is the ratio of junk to good finds?

Sebastian 999/1... Put is this way, we use a lot of hand sanitizer.

We see about 10-12k items during each show and tape about 90 for TV/web. Not to say it's all junk, but the majority of items we see are around $50 or under. --Hannah

we use a lot of hand sanitizer.

Oh dear. Have you ever had to appraise something that made you say, "I'm not touching that thing"?

Sebastian here - yes - but we are always polite and professional...add some humor and you can get away with not touching the object.

Sebastian again - if its out there, we have been asked to appraise it.

Leila here...the vast majority of what we see is under $100...we put pins in lots of peoples' balloons. The odds of making the show are very small when you consider that 5,000 people attend, the show, each bringing 2 items, and only 50-60 pieces are filmed, a tiny fraction of what is brought in.

How do you decide who gets on air?

Sebastian here - the producers make the ultimate choice as to what gets aired

Leila here...the first step is the appraiser deciding if an object's story is potentially tv worthy...we then get on a list to wait for a producer. Once the producer arrives, we tell them the story, they meet briefly with the guest and then make the decision whether they will film the appraisal.

Do you know any history about rubber ducks before Sesame Street made them popular? There's surprisingly little information recorded despite the fact they're in the National Toy Hall of Fame. Can you think of any that might be considered rare or valuable?

Sebastian here - Honestly I have no clue. As a specialist when you don't know you have to 'fess up!

Leila here...this should be my area, especially as I have a number of examples myself, but don't know much!

I work for PBS but that is the extent of my knowledge here--Hannah

Hi, I was just wondering what sticks out to you guys as the coolest thing that's been brought in?

Our Navajo blanket appraisal is a fan favorite and a personal favorite: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200101A48.html. Our big find with Leila tonight is also pretty great, valued at $1 million insurance. --Hannah

Leila here, everyone is asking great questions! I have seen so many cool pieces...a 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers photo signed by Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella with a little boy whose father (Japanese) had fought for the US in WWII then came back and was an umpire in Hawaii; baseball signed by Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, the only one I've ever seen.. the original working lyrics to "Stormy Weather" written on Cotton Club stationery by Ted Koehler...and tonight's group, 1871 Red Stockings memorabilia, the most valuable Roadshow appraisal I've ever had...

I've got the complete series of Antiques roadshow on VCR and DVD all signed. How much are they worth?

Priceless!

We aren't cancelled yet so it's not complete! --Hannah

Art deco is my favorite era. What's your most memorable art deco piece that's been on the show?

We get tons of art deco jewelry that i covet. This is a fantastic collection: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200606A32.html. I also love any art deco posters: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200303A41.html. --Hannah

Does anyone make fun of Marky Mark's name to his face? Like, for instance, referring to him as "Marky Mark"?

Mark's sense of humor is unmatched so it's all good.--Hannah

Leila here...as far as I am concerned, there is only ONE Marky Mark and he hosts the Roadshow! I call him that all the time!

Sebastian here - only if you dare...

Where should one start off when interested in antiques? Is it best to take courses, read specific books, watch programs, or just pick it up as you go along?

Shameless plug--we have a great resource page on our site with a glossary, reference list, tips of the trade, etc: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/resources.html. --Hannah

Sebastian here - I'd start with watching more Roadshow! Attend exhibitions, auctions and antiques shows...

Leila here...the first thing you want to think about is what areas you enjoy the most and then start focusing on them...for instance, if you like old tools, start reading about them...or signed baseballs, etc. There is so much information available today...

Have you ever broken something on accident that turned out to be extremely valuable?

The ANTIQUES ROADSHOW staff, crew & volunteers are not allowed to touch guest's items. So when you hear a crash, it's not us. But you do hear them from time to time on set...--Hannah

Hm Im pretty sure when Ive seen the show Ive seen the appraisers touch the item when they are giving the appraisals to whoever owns the items. Like if a book needs to be flipped open to look at the author's signature on the inside cover. Are the appraisers not Antiques Roadshow staff? Are they the only ones allowed to touch the items(thus taking the risk) if the guests allow them to? Do the appraisers get compensated by Antiques Roadshow for their appearance? Or do they simply do it for the free publicity it brings to their auction house? Has an appraiser ever damaged an item?

Sorry for so many questions. Ive been a fan of Antiques Roadshow for a good part of my life!

Leila here...yes, appraisers may touch the objects...Hannah meant the Roadshow crew and volunteers...

Sebastian here - No comment...truthfully no. Not yet anyway

Leila here...fortunately no! About once every other year at the Roadshow, I have heard the sickening sound of a piece crashing to the floor...don't think there was anything of high value...

Based on your appraisal, how much is Reddit gold worth?

Sebastian here - that and $3 will get you a Grande Cappuccino...

Come back in 60 years with that question--Hannah

What do you recommend people do with stuff they don't want like world war 2 medals and old turn of century photos?

Sebastian here - Start with contacting a local appraiser to make sure you are not missing something - after that you can consider donating them to a historical society or similar institution.

Leila here...I would start with a local auction house to get a sense of value and then decide the best venue to sell...

Why have my ancestors forsaken me by failing to preserve any objects that are even nominally valuable?

Leila here...that's a question I ask my dad about his Golden Age Superman and Batman comics books, a gold mine thrown away by his mother...I could be on an island in Fiji!

Sebastian here - go ask your grandmother. I am in the same boat!

what makes a good episode of Antiques Roadshow and appraisal?

This is Leila - My favorite appraisals and the ones I look for are those with great stories from the guests. Value is far less important. This past summer I had a guest in Chicago who brought an Andrew Carnegie medal given to his grandfather for saving a baby from a well. He was a salesman who happened to be driving by. No one else would go down the well, but he stripped down and jumped down 50 feet. Four years later the baby's mother nominated him for the medal, which he won with $1,000, which saved him, as he had just had his job cut down because of the Depression.

Sebastian here - the best appraisals are all about the guest. You can have the greatest item ever but if the guest isn't into it then it falls flat. We've all had some crazy guests...

Just gotta say, big fan of the show! I've been watching it all my life and still do on OETA (Oklahoma Educational TV Authority). How often does the show tour, for how long, and when is it coming back to Oklahoma??

Thanks for all you guys do!

Sebastian here - I am not sure I am not welcome back in Oklahoma ... http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/201104A25.html But thanks for watching! We really, really love what we do...

Thanks for watching! We go on tour every summer, usually from around late may/early june-mid august. We tape in each city on a saturday and it is an all day appraisal event. We actually just released our 2015 tour schedule: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/ontheroad.html. We don't go back to any city for at least 5 years and we just hit up Tulsa in 2011 but I wouldn't rule Oklahoma out any time soon. --Hannah

Leila here, thanks for your kind words...this year the Roadshow stops in six cities, which will be announced in the next few weeks...we've been to Tulsa and Oklahoma City and hope to get back there soon!

what was the most ridiculous thing you had ever seen someone bring on the show?

Leila here...that is a popular question! On Collectibles we had someone bring in what they claimed was LBJ's fart in a jar...but it couldn't be authenticated...

where do you shop for antiques?

Sebastian here - I have small children. Ikea.

Local flea markets & thrift stores. Big ordeals like Brimfield are also fun. --Hannah

Leila here...Usually through auction houses as I have been in the business so long, I know them all well...

I've been a fan of your show for as long as I can remember, I have a deep rooted love of old things and the show has opened my eyes to great aspects to collecting that I never thought of before. I feel I have a pretty good grasp of the worth of things, however one aspect that has always scared me is autographs. I inherited a collection from my late father that no one in the family knew he had, it consists of some pretty cool stuff: political, sports and actors, Including several very unique cashed checks. I've spoken to a few "card shop" guys and honestly it troubles me a bit when they make seemingly tasty offers on everything, even outside of sports memorabilia. Where is the best place to begin with this type of collection?

Leila here, no need to be frightened of your autographs. You can do a lot of detective work yourself. If it were my collection, the first thing I would do is check out the auctions that handle this type of material, RR Auctions, Weiss Auctions, Heritage Auctions, Julien's, Profiles In History, Leland's, Cowan's, Goldin's and there are many more. They have auction data bases that should have some sales of similar items. Then, you can send a selection to one or several of these auction houses and ask for estimate requests, which will give you a further sense of the market.

where do you shop for antiques?

Sebastian here - I have small children. Ikea.

Local flea markets & thrift stores. Big ordeals like Brimfield are also fun. --Hannah

Leila here...Usually through auction houses as I have been in the business so long, I know them all well...

Can you give us a detailed account of what happened when one of the appraisers tore the stub off the Mohammed Ali ticket?? How have policy changed since the incident ?

Sebastian - This might be an urban myth...

What was the most undervalued item you've seen?

Sebastian here - very hard to say. Rago Auctions just sold the largest natural pearl to come to auction for $825,000! The client nearly sold it for scrap... http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/record-setting-natural-saltwater-pearl-to-auction-281747671.html

Leila here...the lady who brought in the 1871 Red Stockings items had been offered $10,000 for the lot...

outside of ebay, what's the best way to directly sell a collectible without going through a reputable auction house?

Sebastian here - Honestly there isn't. While you pay an auction house a premium you pay them to do all the work for you! Yes, I am slightly biased...

Leila here...I do believe in eBay and recommend that if you are willing to do the work to photograph and describe the items and upload them...

How did you get started in your line of work? Thanks for doing this ama!

Sebastian here - I didn't finish high school and got a job moving furniture for an auction house. I fell in love with the business. That was 20 years ago this month!

Leila here...My bio title should be "My Life In Junk!" I never intended to do this. I actually grew up in a junkyard and wanted to be a journalist. My dad ran an automotive salvage yard. I had a go-kart when I was 10, also the year he started collecting antique toys and automotive signs. We spent many summers on the road "junking" and at the Brimfield, MA outdoor shows. My degree is in journalism, but I ended up running the junk yard for several years and then we went into the antiques business fulltime. In 1995 I interviewed with the Roadshow and was on the very first show in Concord, specializing in toys. Three years later I was recruited by Sotheby's in NYC to run their collectibles department, handling sports, entertainment, toys, comics, animation art, etc. For the past 6 years I have been a full time appraiser, preparing written appraisals for insurance, estates and donations...the journalism degree was the best training I could have as I do the same, gather information, analyze it and then tell the story. The only difference is that there is a number at the end!

I applied online! --Hannah

What do you find to be the most common item people bring in? In other words, what do you see time and time again that just makes you cringe when you see it walk through the door?

Hannah answering with Sebastian's suggestion--we made you a handy list: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/fts/things-we-commonly-see_ss.html.

Leila here - On sports we see stamped baseballs, baseballs that were sold as souvenirs at the stadium and were not handsigned by the players. We also see late sports cards (1980's on) that were produced in large quantities and have little value today. On collectibles we see lots of postcard albums, used records, children's sewing machines (why they don't go to toys, I don't know).

What do you think of the guys from American Pickers? Or the American Pickers show in general?

We love that Roadshow has helped spawn a genre of shows that highlight people's treasures and material history. --Hannah

Sebastian here - I honestly do not watch any other shows. Roadshow is authentic and we are flattered that other shows are trying to emulate the Roadshow experience!

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Leila here...on Collectibles, I keep waiting for a rock star's coke spoon to come in, but it hasn't happened yet. I appraise wine and have been lobbying for that to become a category, but don't have high hopes...

Sebastian here - we have to adhere to all state and federal laws...no one has bought in a bong for appraisal yet! We are ready...

We did just appraise a fun ANTI drug poster in Bismarck: http://roadshowpbs.tumblr.com/post/87607106588/we-found-this-antique-poster-for-a-1936-film-about. But otherwise the issue hasn't really come up. --Hannah

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Leila here...I wish that we filmed in the winter, Telluride would be perfect! We were in Denver a couple of years ago, would love to add Telluride...

Sebastian here - Sign me up! Unfortunately I believe there are constraints such as convention center size etc..

Do you guys have a convention center that can hold us? That is often the #1 question. I'd LOVE to go to Telluride. --Hannah

Leila here...I wish that we filmed in the winter, Telluride would be perfect! We were in Denver a couple of years ago, would love to add Telluride...

Leila - I am a big fan of musicians, and I would really like to put together a piece that is autographed by musicians that have gone to early (was thinking something along the lines of Syd Barrett, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley). What kind of authentication do I want to have for these gentlemen? I am a sports card collector, and I know that PSA is the go to for sports, is there something similar for musicians? Can you recommend an auction house or a dealer that specifies in this kind of memorabilia? I appreciate it!

Syd - Leila here, today PSA and JSA both authenticate entertainment as well as sports autographs and are generally the acknowledged third party authenticators. There are numerous auction houses that handle this type of material, including Heritage, Julien's, RR Autographs, Profiles In History, Leland's, Premiere Auctions, EAC Gallery, American Memorabilia and others. Dealers include Gotta Have It! in NYC. This should give you a good start...

What is the best way to get an appraisal for unusual items? For example, I have a camphor wood trunk with mother of pearl inlay my grandparents bought in Vietnam or Hong Kong, and I have a pair of Eastern Star diamond earrings with a matching ring.

I can't find anything even similar looking on the internet.

Leila here, my first suggestion is to start with a local auction house and if they haven't seen it, they might be able to refer you. You can also look for auction houses that handle material from the Far East. Jewelry should be much easier as there are numerous auction houses.

Sebastian here - I would start with pbs.org/antiques - it is a great resource for appraisers.

I wrote up a few questions to ask so you'll see a few from me. Hope that's okay! Why do you think that teak furniture has suddenly gained so much popularity recently? People are going teak crazy here. Thanks!

Sebastian here - The market for 'export' furniture including pieces made of exotic wood like Teak has always been popular, with the increased wealth of the Asian markets there is much more demand

Are there any kinds of collectibles or antiques you simply can't stand, for whatever reason? (Maybe there's too much hype about them or just a personal taste). I'm not a fan of Wedgwood pottery, I think it's just awful to look at. Thanks!

Sebastian here - Personally I am not a fan of Music boxes..we see dozens on Roadshow and I always have to smile and be polite...

Have you ever had someone get so upset by an appraisal that they had to be escorted away?

Sebastian here - as an appraiser we are often the bearers of bad news. You have to very cautious about how to handle peoples expectations. The item may be junk to us but it is a treasured heirloom to the guest.

I would like to have Rick from Pawn Stars do a guest spot, can you make that happen?

Sebastian here - when you watch Roadshow you are benefiting expertise 120 specialists from all of the country.

Are there any annual antique fairs/shows you would highly recommend visiting? (Globally)

Sebastian here - TEFAF is maastricht is the best global fair out there... http://www.tefaf.com/

Leila here...Brimfield, which is held three times a year, May, July and September...Atlantique City, which is in the spring and the fall...

I second Brimfield. You're likely to run into a ROADSHOW appraiser and/or staff member there. --Hannah