Display Stove & Salesman's Sample Ice Box

Appraised on: June 3, 2000

Appraised in: Austin, Texas

Appraised by: Noel Barrett

Category: Collectibles

Episode Info: Big & Little (#1320)

Originally Aired: December 21, 2009

IMAGE: 1 of 4  

Appraisal Video: (-1:-2:00)

GUEST: My grandfather was from Temple, Texas. He started a furniture store and appliance store. And these were his salesman's samples. He would go out in the community or to other little towns and villages and show the people what he had for sale. And I played with these salesman's samples all my life.

APPRAISER: Well, technically we don't call this type of stove a salesman's sample, because it is named the Buck's Junior Number Four. So I think they used these to display what the real big things were like. They didn't have quite the detail of a normal salesman's sample. It has nice detail, though. It has nice nickel plating, opening doors, and it's really quite a fine piece. It has a couple of condition problems.

GUEST: I know.

APPRAISER: You're missing these little hinges and a little plate. But believe it or not, these can be replaced.

GUEST: Well, I'm glad to know that.

APPRAISER: This I really consider a salesman's sample. And this... I've never seen one quite like this.

GUEST: Really?

APPRAISER: And the reason we call it a salesman's sample is because it has, in absolute miniature, the real features of the item that was being sold. Here we have the compartment where the ice was installed. Here we have the shelves. And... did you ever notice this here?

GUEST: I never noticed that, no.

APPRAISER: Well, this is the drain.

GUEST: I see that now, but I have never...

APPRAISER: To drain off the ice water.

GUEST: I know. I should have known that.

APPRAISER: Well, you have two gems here. The stove, even though I don't consider it a salesman's sample, is worth about $2,500, even in this condition, missing a piece.

GUEST: Gosh, I want to get this piece then.

APPRAISER: Well, that's easily done. But, now, this is another kettle of fish.

GUEST: Really?

APPRAISER: I wouldn't sell it for a penny less than $5,000.

GUEST: I am stunned! I am stunned. We have seven grandchildren. I've been letting them play with it.

APPRAISER: If they play with it carefully, that's okay. But they'd better be real careful with this one.

GUEST: All right.