Steuben Crystal Heart & Key Paperweight
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GUEST:
My parents, Bill and Jean Guy, were the longest serving governor and first lady of North Dakota. This was given to them, and they passed it on down to me. On the very last night that we were living in the governor's residence, a friend of theirs called up and said, "I must come and see you." And we were all exhausted from moving and sad to leave our home of 12 years, and mom said, "Oh, please, can't we get together with you later in the week?" And they said, "No, we must see you tonight." So they presented Mom with this red leather box and Dad with a little tiny box that had the key to her heart in it.
APPRAISER:
The key to her heart, is that too sweet? We see a lot of Frederick Carder's Steuben glass on the Antiques Roadshow, but that was the color period of the Steuben glass. And Steuben Glass of course is in Corning, New York. This is the crystal period of Steuben, and the crystal glass was the best glass made in that time period. This glass was given to presidents, it was given to kings and queens and dignitaries, a very wonderful gift to be given. This is a Steuben heart and key paperweight #1007. And it was made by James Houston, 1970s.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
These are 18-karat gold. This is gold. And you also have the original fitted box. The box might be worth about $150. It's always wonderful to have the box. They get lost, so be sure to keep it all together. I think for a retail price, roughly $2,500 to $3,500.
GUEST:
Nice.
APPRAISER:
And with all the provenance, I would insure it for $5,000.
GUEST:
Very good.
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