Season 17

January 7, 2013

Part 1 of 3. Season 17 begins in Corpus Christi, Texas, where a million-dollar discovery is made: an oil painting created by an 18-year-old Diego Rivera in 1904. Other items include a 1967 painting by Alexander Calder; a Japanese bronze of a mythical figure; and a giant Fisk "Tire Boy" sign.

January 14, 2013

Part 2 of 3 in Corpus Christi, Texas, features an individual who scored John Lennon's autograph after meeting the Beatles; and a person who received a book inscribed by Salvador Dalí from the artist himself. Also: Vintage flash art is investigated at an area tattoo parlor.

January 21, 2013

Conclusion. In Corpus Christi, Texas, items include a 1912 portrait by Charles Courtney Curran; a Porfirio Salinas bluebonnet oil painting; and a 1983 Helen Frankenthaler lithograph that's valued at $15,000. Also: Antique mourning jewelry is discussed.

January 28, 2013

Part 1 of 3. In Boston, items include a Norman Rockwell collection; an Aldro Hibbard oil painting brought in by Boston mayor Thomas Menino; and a Red Sox World Series baseball signed by the team that's valued at $25,000 to $35,000. Also: a famous and controversial Paul Revere print is examined.

February 4, 2013

Part 2 of 3 in Boston features a 1950 Selmer alto saxophone, a George Gershwin collection and 1970s Beatles memorabilia that's worth $60,000. Also: A stop at the Boston Public Library highlights sketches from the children's book "Make Way for Ducklings," which inspired Boston's famous duckling sculptures.

February 11, 2013

Conclusion. In Boston, items include Civil War photos; WWII German POW signs; and a circa-1810 South Carolina musket worth $6000-$8000. Also: Folk art carvings at the historic Sleeper-McCann House in nearby Gloucester are spotlighted.

February 18, 2013

Part 1 of 3 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., features a Joseph Henry Sharp oil painting that's valued at $400,000. Also: a visit to nearby Brookgreen Gardens highlighting female sculptors of the early 20th century.

February 25, 2013

Part 2 of 3 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., features an 1860 letter signed by Abraham Lincoln; crystals that were a gift from Marilyn Monroe; and an 1850s South Carolina sword that's valued at $30,000-$40,000. Also: a story about stolen art from the Hobcaw Barony estate in nearby Georgetown.

April 1, 2013

Part 1 of 3 in Cincinnati features a baseball bat used by Mickey Mantle; art pottery from Cincinnati's Rookwood Pottery; and works by artist and native son Edward Henry Potthast (1857-1927). Also: a visit to Cincinnati's American Sign Museum highlights vintage electric signs.

April 8, 2013

Part 2 of 3 in Cincinnati features a suit that once belonged to chicken magnate Col. Sanders; a bronze horse sculpture by Solon Borglum; and an 1846 wall map of the western U.S. Also: How endangered rhinos are affected by the antiques trade.

April 15, 2013

Conclusion. In Cincinnati, items include a trophy from the 1908 Belmont Stakes; an early 20th-century toy horse and buggy; a French advertising poster; and a bust of Abraham Lincoln. Also: the craftsmanship of Cincinnati carved furniture.

April 22, 2013

Part 1 of 3. In Rapid City, S.D., items include furniture made by Thomas Molesworth; and signed military documents of Elvis Presley. Also: a discussion about presidential prints during a visit to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

April 29, 2013

Part 2 of 3 in Rapid City, S.D. Items include TWA travel posters; a 1932 photo of Mount Rushmore signed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum; and a Rock-Ola juke box. Also: a visit to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.

May 6, 2013

Conclusion. In Rapid City, S.D., items include a spice chest that dates to the 1760s; two sets of Frank Lloyd Wright blueprints; and a Favrile Fabrique Tiffany desk lamp. Also: a discussion about 19th-century Sioux weapons at Custer State Park.

May 13, 2013

Part 1 of 3 in Seattle features a Vladimir Kagan desk that was used by Kagan himself; and an 1874 Francis A. Silva oil painting that's valued at $250,000. Also: Jimi Hendrix's fashion style is discussed during a visit to the EMP Museum.

May 20, 2013

Part 2 of 3 in Seattle features a circa 1964 "Star Trek" script and pitch letter; a Civil War-era dog collar; and Harriet Frishmuth bookends. Also: World's Fair posters are discussed during a visit to the Space Needle.

May 27, 2013

Conclusion. In Seattle, items include a diamond-and-enamel jewel from the 16th century; a chair made of moose, elk and buffalo hide; a crazy quilt from the 1880s; and a white Steiff clown bear. Also: Northwest Coast Indian masks are discussed at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.

June 24, 2013

Updating appraisals from a 1998 L.A. visit, including Disney animation art; a 1906 Van Briggle vase; and a Tiffany lamp that was valued at $30,000-$40,000 but is now worth $50,000-$75,000.

July 1, 2013

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Milwaukee visit. Included: a Tiffany lamp that has increased in value from $8000-$15,000 to $20,000-$30,000.

July 8, 2013

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Rochester, N.Y., visit. Included: a painting by Frank Zappa; a van Munster violin; and a Minton vase.

July 15, 2013

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Louisville visit. Items include an 1810 South Carolina slave badge; James Dean's high-school yearbook; and a 19th-century folk-art jug that's increased in value from $30,000-$50,000 to $100,000-$150,000.

July 22, 2013

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Hartford, Conn., visit. Included: a 1915 Coca-Cola jigsaw puzzle; an Emancipation announcement print; and a Tiffany aquamarine glass vase that has increased in value from $30,000-$40,000 to $90,000-$100,000.

July 29, 2013

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Richmond visit. Included: 1956 World Series baseballs; a Carnegie autograph album; a diamond and ruby jewelry collection; a Royal Doulton bear; and a Cartier desk clock that has increased in value from $10,000-$15,000 to $25,000-$35,000.

November 18, 2013

A French Blue John urn that was shot multiple times; a New Orleans chess table that weathered Hurricane Katrina; and hotel stationary signed by three of the four Beatles that survived a fire.

December 23, 2013

Items found in unlikely places are featured. Included: a formerly buried Weller Coppertone vase that its owner nearly tripped over; a collection of Cole Porter and Monty Woolley letters that were retrieved from a dumpster.