University of Wisconsin - Extension

The three Antiques Roadshow-Madison programs, taped in August 2000 for the popular PBS program, will air at 7 p.m. Monday, April 30, May 7 and May 14 on Wisconsin Public Television ( http://www.wpt.org ) (WPT).

At the event, antiques experts from the country's leading auction houses and independent appraisers and dealers from across the nation were present to offer appraisals to more than 7,000 attendees. They were on the look out for appraisal situations that make good television viewing.

One of the unique finds included a parasol that, according to family legend, was given to the owner's great-great-grandmother by Queen Victoria in the mid-1800s. The appraiser confirmed that the black fabric was consistent with the Queen's penchant for wearing black exclusively after the death of her husband, Albert. The estimated value of the parasol is $2,000 to $2,500, but the real payoff for the owner was corroboration of the story surrounding this royal heirloom.

The owner of a Norwegian, eight-string fiddle was delighted to learn that the treasured instrument won by her uncle in a card game is worth $4,000. According to appraiser Claire Givens of Givens Violins, the violinmaker was Eleve Johnson of Norway -- a craftsman considered equal to Stradivari.

The owner of hand-drawn comic strip illustrations found them in a barn while working summer stock theater at a New Hampshire farm. Signed by the artist, Winsor McCay, and dated 1909, the "Little Nemo in Slumberland" strip was created for the New York Herald. Gary Metzner of Sotheby's appraised the illustrations at $35,000.

Other items of interest are a printed broadside announcing South Carolina's succession from the union in 1862, an ash spinning wheel manufactured in Waitsville, Wis., a museum-quality silver and gold incense burner, a very rare pipestone and horn table, a Stickley dining room set and a Chinese blanket designed to cover a child's wooden saddle.

While in Madison, Antiques Roadshow Host Dan Ellias shows viewers what makes Madison one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the nation. He takes a sojourn to the State Capitol where the beautifully landscaped grounds host art fairs, summer concerts and the farmers' market. Elias also showcases the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and travels to Taliesin -- the workshop, laboratory and lifelong project of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

WPT is a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/Madison, WPNE-TV/Green Bay, WHRM-TV/Wausau, WLEF-TV/Park Falls, WHLA-TV/La Crosse and WHWC-TV/Menomonie-Eau Claire.