Mo Rocca: 1888 Benjamin Harrison Presidential Campaign Neckerchief
Watch
GUEST:
This is a campaign neckerchief from the campaign of Benjamin Harrison and his running mate, Levi Morton. Harrison would be elected in 1888.
APPRAISER:
These neckerchiefs were really popular, especially during the 1880s. I found an advertisement for one of the producers of these bandannas, and they had 100 different varieties just from the 1888 Harrison-Morton. A dizzying array. And they were 47 cents a dozen, up to six dollars a dozen, depending on the fabric and how fancy. So it was a popular item at the time. People were into snuff.
GUEST:
Oh, snuff!
APPRAISER:
Yeah.
GUEST:
So this is for snuff heads.
APPRAISER:
It's kind of practical, in kind of a gross way. Because you... (sniffs) And then... (imitates sneezing)
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
Right.
GUEST:
So you... (imitates whipping out bandanna) And, and the same time, you can, you can show your political opinions, as well, and support your candidate.
APPRAISER:
Ah...
GUEST:
But I mean, blowing into this doesn't necessarily mean that you like the guy.
APPRAISER (laughing): You would think.
GUEST:
I found it on a historical memorabilia site about 15 years ago. I think I paid about $300 for it.
APPRAISER:
Okay. Well, you didn't do too poorly, I would say. I see these selling at auction, for this campaign and these two candidates, for about $100. The relationship between auction and retail is usually about double an auction price for a retail price.
GUEST:
Oh, okay.
APPRAISER:
So you're... You're in the zone.
GUEST:
And I know what everyone is thinking. I know it looks like mucus, but it's snot. (laughing)
Appraisal Details
Executive producer Marsha Bemko shares her tips for getting the most out of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW.
Value can change: The value of an item is dependent upon many things, including the condition of the object itself, trends in the market for that kind of object, and the location where the item will be sold. These are just some of the reasons why the answer to the question "What's it worth?" is so often "It depends."
Note the date: Take note of the date the appraisal was recorded. This information appears in the upper left corner of the page, with the label "Appraised On." Values change over time according to market forces, so the current value of the item could be higher, lower, or the same as when our expert first appraised it.
Context is key: Listen carefully. Most of our experts will give appraisal values in context. For example, you'll often hear them say what an item is worth "at auction," or "retail," or "for insurance purposes" (replacement value). Retail prices are different from wholesale prices. Often an auctioneer will talk about what she knows best: the auction market. A shop owner will usually talk about what he knows best: the retail price he'd place on the object in his shop. And though there are no hard and fast rules, an object's auction price can often be half its retail value; yet for other objects, an auction price could be higher than retail. As a rule, however, retail and insurance/replacement values are about the same.
Verbal approximations: The values given by the experts on ANTIQUES ROADSHOW are considered "verbal approximations of value." Technically, an "appraisal" is a legal document, generally for insurance purposes, written by a qualified expert and paid for by the owner of the item. An appraisal usually involves an extensive amount of research to establish authenticity, provenance, composition, method of construction, and other important attributes of a particular object.
Opinion of value: As with all appraisals, the verbal approximations of value given at ROADSHOW events are our experts' opinions formed from their knowledge of antiques and collectibles, market trends, and other factors. Although our valuations are based on research and experience, opinions can, and sometimes do, vary among experts.
Appraiser affiliations: Finally, the affiliation of the appraiser may have changed since the appraisal was recorded. To see current contact information for an appraiser in the ROADSHOW Archive, click on the link below the appraiser's picture. Our Appraiser Index also contains a complete list of active ROADSHOW appraisers and their contact details and biographies.
