Salesman Sample Ice Box, ca. 1890

Appraised on: August 6, 2011

Appraised in: Atlanta, Georgia

Appraised by: Karen Keane

Category: Furniture

Episode Info: Atlanta, Hour 2 (#1614)

Originally Aired: April 23, 2012

IMAGE: 1 of 2  

Appraisal Video: (1:04)

GUEST: I brought you an icebox that my mother-in-law got from her cousin's estate. And my husband and I have two other large iceboxes at home, and I was so excited that she got this little one for us.

APPRAISER: I've never met an icebox collector. I just want that to go on the record. But we have to decide what this is. So let's look at this piece. It's lead-lined, just like a real icebox would be. It's got this box for ice here. There's actually a drain in the bottom. I mean, it's really, really accurate. And so my opinion is, is that this is a salesman's sample.

GUEST: Oh.

APPRAISER: It's too good for a toy. Have you had this appraised ever, or...?

GUEST: No, no.

APPRAISER: Any idea on its value?

GUEST: No.

APPRAISER: If something like this were to come up at auction, I would say this one's probably about a $2,000 salesman's sample.

GUEST: Wow, that's great, thank you very much.