Entertainment
Is There Treasure in Your Attic? Million Dollar Cups Found in Okla!
- Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:54am by
Mike Opelka
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Would you pay a million dollars for these old cups?
It is every “garage sailor’s” dream. After decades of scouring yard and garage sales, one of the tchotckes you purchased for a mere pittance turns out to be something so rare and valuable that it could change your life.
The “Antiques Roadshow” made a stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma this past weekend, shooting segments for their upcoming season, when they stumbled into a treasure that smashes the record for the highest appraisal ever made on the program.
The Tulsa World reports:
A collection of Chinese cups at the Tulsa stop Saturday of “Antiques Roadshow” was the most valuable find in the appraisal show’s 16 years. The five Chinese carved rhinoceros horn cups are believed to be from the late 17th century or early 18th century and are valued at $1 to $1.5 million.
While not revealing the identity of the owner, The Antiques Road Show did say that the valuable cups were purchased in the 1970s for a microscopic fraction of their current value. Also discovered among the 5,000 items brought to the Tulsa Convention Center for appraisal:
- An F-5 Gibson mandolin estimated to be worth $175,000
- A Chinese bronze sculpture from the Ming Dynasty that might fetch as much as $100,000 at auction
If you want to learn more about those items and the million-dollar cups, you’ll have to wait a bit. They will all be part of the three shows from Tulsa that were recorded for broadcast and will air in early 2012.
(H/T – CNN)
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V-MAN MACE
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:33amWhat do you think I can get for some vintage Pepsi Bottles?
Report Post »Michael600r
Posted on July 27, 2011 at 6:18pmThe 5 cent deposit.
Report Post »Quinientos
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:13amI’ve never had an attic that was suitable for storage. However, I bought a house last fall and went exploring in the attic and found a glass checker set with shot glasses instead of checkers (guy must’ve been hiding it from his wife). I don‘t drink alcohol but I’m sure we can still use our favorite beverage in them and have a good time! Doubt they’re worth anything…
Report Post »kparsels
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 1:43amMore fun would donate them to Christian charity and take them off your taxes, That would PO the IRS and Obama.
Report Post »Vital
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:33pmGive up everything? That won’t be hard to do for us….we don’t have much to give up
Report Post »TakeBackUSA
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:26pmLet’s see…what things have I “lost” so far, before I could ever even get them appraised?:
- A 1953 Calendar with Marilyn Monroe in the buff
- An 18“ x 12” signed photo of Charles A. Lindbergh standing with Army Air Corp Colonel, wearing a black suit and white flying cap, with the “Spirit” in the background with the engine running. It was probably taken in late ‘27’ early ‘28″, given the number of flags on the cowling
- Two unused tickets to Superbowl I
I don’t know how much they were worth, but it’s amazing what some of these things are going for now!
Report Post »Kitzie1963
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:23pmI think that’s great! I have a houseful of antiques and worry that when I’m gone my kids will sell them for 10 cents each. At least I‘ve enjoyed them while I’m alive!
Report Post »Rosewood11
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:58pmGarage Sailor, huh!?! Is that what I do when I board my land-yacht (a Grand Voyager, no less) and go hunting for booty among the locals, if not the Spanish Main? Second-hand stores are my favorite thing, but on the way home from church yesterday, we a great wicker trunk that someone was throwing away. We went back to get it, and in my Sunday best, I loaded it in my car just as the original owners came home!!! You never know what you’ll find, and the neighborhood was an affluent one. Who knows? Maybe one of these days you’ll see me on Antiques Roadshow–one of the few things I like on PBS.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:52pmsometimes you folks really scare me – Obama has NO way to touch the value of these – until they are sold and the guy gets some “income” off them – then it‘s not Obama that get’s the money – it’s the IRS and then the Socialist Democrat Party with a congress being run by Harry Reid and company. I’m not even sure if a state that has personal property tax can tax them – they have no value until sold – no matter what anyone says they are worth – they aren’t worth anything until someone coughs up the money.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:14pmYou see tea cups…BO sees tax $$$$
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:27pmExactly so is the IRS now going to tax the owner for the value of the cups or seize them when they fail to pay.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:43pmIt will not be the IRS – it’s gonna be his state – if they have a personal property tax. the IRS doesn’t get a cut unless or until they are sold – and unless the tv show or the man himself blabs – even the state can’t put a finger in his pocket.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:25pmMakes me wish I had a attic.. Funny how something of value gets put in a box in the attic!! You just never know! Bet the owners mouth is still open.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 11:40am@Rugdog – You are absolutely correct.
I think it would be called “capital gains” taxes. They would subtract the price paid ($20?) from the amount for which they sell ($1M) and apply the TOP LEVEL tax rate.
When all is said and done, they will be doing well to pay off their mortgage with what obama lets them keep…
How much should the government “LET [THEM] KEEP” – “OBAMA’S OWN WORDS” ! ! !
Report Post »I <3 the Constitution
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 2:07pmIf the person sells them, it should be to a private collector where only cash changes hands and no 1099 form. Must my thoughts.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:44pmI would imagine the private collector will be China.
Report Post »ShyMan
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 11:16amI didn’t think you coulde buy or sell rino horns anymore because they are protected species.
How are they going to sell them?
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 11:23amThey were made before the protection was established by the looney left…
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 10:21amAs an antique lover and dealer (retired), this set is a phenomenal find – very very rare.
Report Post »But, no matter what the item, the reality is: Something is only worth what someone will pay you for it.
Professional Infidel
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 11:07amI don’t drink tea.
Report Post »Carol Ingian
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 9:36amMakes me want to go yard saleing.
Report Post »deadbeatjoe
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 9:18amIf someone’s dumb enough to pay a million bucks for that hideous set, well, I sure wouldn’t hesitate to sell.
Report Post »mils
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 9:27amone man’s junk, another’s treasures….
How grand that someone has these and will benefit!!!! I’d like to know what makes them so valuable..besides age..
Report Post »Dinkiecb
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:36amooohhh ok I’ll give ya a nickle for em…
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 10:11amChinese would pay for them just to grind them down for what they see as anti-impotence drugs
Report Post »Tucson Patriot
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:35amEnjoy life everyday, you never know whats around the corner to make it better. Nice Find.
Report Post »Tyr
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:25amFirst rule of antiques, If they are ugly…the are probably worth LOTs of money!
Report Post »URKiddinMee
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 2:05pmLOL Unfortunately, you are correct!
Report Post »TankZ71
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:14amI personally think they are ugly. I won’t give 2 bucks for them.
Report Post »FrankSpeak
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 7:57amCool.
Report Post »itsmyfirstday
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 7:36amMade in China??? Just think how much more they would be worth if they were made in America…..
Buy American!
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:47pmOh yes, but back then, made in China meant real fine quality work – just like it USED to in the USofA. There are still a few true artisans in the US of A – and you won’t find their work in Walmart.
Report Post »Rosewood11
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:00pmLord knows we have enough RINOS!!! Oh, is that spelled differently?
Report Post »RugDog
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 7:09amAnd obama can’t wait to tax em.
Report Post »GeorgeWashingtonslept here
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 7:00amOkay, time to check the attic!
Report Post »ecurbyy
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:07amI don‘t care how old they are or what they’re made out of. None of them look like they’d be any good for anything. Wouldn’t even try drinking coffee from one. Maybe you could put some M&M’s in there or something. Just finding out their estimated value screams GET A LAWYER. Probably a tax lawyer, because they instantly owe Obamao about $250,000. Good luck.
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