A WOMAN was shocked to discover that a unique toy set gifted to her by her late husband was worth thousands of dollars.
During a recent episode of Antiques Roadshow, an appraisal expert called the old toy set a “wonderful gift” and said its value was due in part because of its “superb condition.”
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During Antiques Roadshow’s visit to Virginia Beach, a woman brought in a unique find that doubled as both a toy set and decor.
The carved Noah’s Ark toy set featured a medium-sized wooden chest, or “ark,” and dozens of hand-carved, hand-painted animal figurines.
“My late husband gave it to me as a Christmas gift in 1996,” she explained, adding that she believed he bought the piece in Connecticut.
As an animal lover, the woman said she thought it was a “wonderful gift,” to which the appraiser agreed.
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I’d be thrilled if somebody loved me to such an extent they gave me a Noah’s Ark full of animals,” Stephen L. Fletcher said.
Fletcher is an executive Vice President of Skinner Inc., in Boston, Massachusetts.
He is “regarded as one of the nation’s foremost experts on Early American Furniture, American Decorative Arts and Folk Art,” according to his PBS Antiques Roadshow biography.
Fletcher explained that many of these Noah’s Ark sets were made in Germany, achieving “maximum popularity in the mid-19th century.”
The German Noah’s Ark set, ca. 1850, was unique in that it wasn’t necessarily made for children.
Because the set was based on a biblical tale, children were rumored to only be allowed to “play” with the set on Sundays.
“That may be one of the reasons why oftentimes the animals are in pretty fine condition,” Fletcher explained.
Fletcher then demonstrated how the toy set worked, sliding open one side of the “Ark” to reveal more animal figurines inside.
The Ark served as more of a small or medium-sized toy chest, with what appeared to be a stork painted on its “roof.”
A light blue siding and decorative border made up the front of the Ark, which included hand-painted “windows.”
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The Ark’s front piece slid open horizontally to reveal dozens of more animal figurines stacked inside.
Fletcher noted that the figurines’ fragility, along with their still-vibrant color, meant that they spent most of their time in the Ark, or displayed away from sunlight – and children.
The woman confirmed his suspicions, revealing that she kept the set in a corner cupboard.
“I’m sure it’s probably going to take me several hours to put them back in pairs,” she added.
Fletcher then revealed that while these types of sets were “exported to America in great numbers,” making them less rare, not many managed to remain in such “superb shape.”
He noted the Ark’s original painted surface and lack of chips or dents on the figurines and the Ark itself.
Fletcher explained that these Noah’s Ark sets were produced “in some numbers,” but by “quite a large number of people.”
There would be certain people who only carved one type of animal, before handing it off to another who painted the figurine, and so on, until a complete set was made.
“These arks were produced…a cottage industry if you will,” Fletcher said, adding that it was a “real collaborative effort” from start to finish.
AFFLUENT ARK
Fletcher then shared that he had discussed the Noah’s Ark set with some other appraisers at the folk art table, and they had determined the toy set’s value.
The woman, whose husband never revealed how much he paid for the Noah’s Ark set in 1996, was eager to learn how much it was worth.
“So we did a little quiz, and in an auction setting, the Noah’s Ark set would be estimated…in the 4,000 to 6,000 dollar range.”
The woman’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
“Oh my!” she exclaimed.
“It’s very special,” Fletcher added, nodding his head.
“Oh wow,” the woman said, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Well, I always felt it was a very special gift from him,” the woman said.
“It’s something my family will always cherish,” she added.
PRICEY PLAYTIME
Antiques Roadshow features a variety of unique items, from art and decor to historical artifacts and fashionable finds.
However, many owners often overlook some of the priciest or most valuable items they may have in their collections: children’s toys.
One man was shocked to discover that two wooden dolls he paid $100 for were worth up to $20,000 – each – at an auction setting.
Meanwhile, a woman who was gifted a wooden figurine toy set depicting a scene from The Wind in the Willows, a classic British children’s series, was in awe after realizing the set was worth nearly $2,000.
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