The new season of Antiques Roadshow premieres Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. ET (check local listings), and because this PBS series perennially is a magnet for an army of fans, many of whom have seen all or most of the previous 16 seasons, we thought we'd present our second season-starter quiz.
The series' executive producer, Marsha Bemko (right), listed some high points for us from the cities that were visited in 2012 and make up the 2013 season. From that, we offer a fan's chance to see how sharp their instincts and appraisal skills are after all that viewing — but more likely, to make some lucky guesses. Either way, these appetizers are evidence the coming season will be as much fun as ever.
(And for those who are already looking forward to next season: On Monday at 12 p.m. ET, Antiques Roadshow reveals its 2013 tour schedule and ticket info. Look for all the details on the show's website.)
1. In Boston, Mass., a woman brought in a painting by Norman Rockwell that was worth between $40,000 and $60,000. The woman's father took photos for the artist, and she, as a little girl, often got to visit the artist's studio when her dad had business there. Which of the following is not a memory she shared with the appraiser:
A) One of the attractions of being there for her was the fact that Rockwell had a Coke machine.
B) Rockwell had a portrait of Walt Disney on his wall, and when he was having trouble with a painting, he would discuss the problems with the picture.
C) The artist, to prompt a child model to cry for a painting, would stick pins in her foot to produce the needed tears.
D) The cereal company that had commissioned the appraised painting had rejected it as "too pretty."
Bonus: Here's a "Roadshow's Most Wanted" clip on the Coca-Cola Company's search for three missing Norman Rockwell advertisement paintings:
2. In Myrtle Beach, S,C., an 1860 letter that was found in a desk had enough historical value to fetch a "conservative estimate" of $30,000 to $50,000. The letter was written by:
A) A 25-year-old Mark Twain, who reflected on the three years he had spent so far working on the river.
B) A 10-year-old Robert Louis Stevenson who wrote about his fascination with pirates.
C) P.T. Barnum, laying out his dream of one day owning his own circus.
D) Abraham Lincoln, five months before his election as president, in which he reflected on the brewing upheaval in the country.
3. Clothing made for an interesting appraisal when the show stopped in Cincinnati. A man brought with him a trademark Col. Sanders white suit, given to him by Harland "Kentucky Fried Chicken" Sanders to wear to a high-school party. (Sanders had purchased a home from the man's parents and that's how he got to know him.) The man shared some of his personal memories of the fast-food icon, including one of his favorite fast foods, which was:
A) Chinese food
B) Mall pretzels
C) White Castles
D) Big Macs
4. In the season-opening show this week, from the visit to Corpus Christi, Texas, a Diego Rivera painting (top) turned out to be the tour's most valuable find. The current owner knew it had some value, though the appraisal was a surprise. The unexpected value caused a change in the way the painting had been used previously:
A) As a sun-block over a window that was a cause of glare on the home's TV screen.
B) A reprieve from its rather less-than-prestigious place of display: behind a door in the home.
C) A show-and-tell item for three generations of the family's children.
D) A high perch for the rabbit-ears TV antenna needed to pull in the signal of a Houston television station.
Bonus: Here's a clip with more details about the 1904 Diego Rivera "El Almañil" oil painting profiled in the season-opening show, and — spoiler alert! — you will discover the answer to our quiz question in the clip:
5. Another valuable ($250,000) painting, this one brought to the Seattle, Wash., stop, was done by Francis A. Silva. It was obtained when:
A) The owner's father traded a George Inness painting (current estimated value, $800,000) for the Silva and three others so there would be a painting for each of his children.
B) A neighbor found the painting in the trunk of a 1953 Plymouth purchased at a car auction for $125 and gave the painting and the car's spare tire to his young neighbor as pay for some yard work he'd done.
C) It was taken in barter for the sale of 13 acres of farmland that's now a Seattle subdivision.
D) It was used several times as a prop for a local amateur theater group, then sold to pay outstanding bills after the troupe went broke.
Want to see how you did? Scroll down for quiz answers.
Bonus: Fans of fine furniture take note: In Rapid City, S.D., there's an appraisal of several pieces designed by Thomas Molesworth (above) and in Seattle a partner's desk designed by Vladimir Kagan is brought to the show.
Quiz Answers: 1-B; 2-D; 3-C; 4-B; 5-A