Ties to Kansas, most valuable 'Antiques Roadshow' items

KANSAS (KSNT) - Over the years, guests of the "Antiques Roadshow" have brought a number of valuable items with ties to the Sunflower State.

For 45 years, Antiques Roadshow has had top appraisers visit cities across the nation to help guests determine the values of collectibles, antiques and family heirlooms. Using data from PBS, 27 News compiled a list of high-priced items that have been featured on the show with ties to the Sunflower State.

Charles Schulz Comic Strip Art, ca. 1960 - Updated value (2020) $250,000 - $300,000 auction

At the Antiques Roadshow in Los Angeles, CA in 2005, a guest brought Charles Schulz comic strips he acquired while working at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. The guest said he worked with Schulz in 1960, developing a 12-year working relationship.

The guest brought 14 comic strips, each valued at between $6,000 and $9,000. The appraiser told the guest that added all together the collection could be worth $150,000 to $200,000. The value was later updated in 2020 at $250,000 to $300,000.

1962 Houston Texans AFL ring, a 1966 Kansas City Chiefs AFL - $100,000 insurance

At the Antiques Roadshow in Baton Rouge, LA in 2023, a guest brought two AFL rings, one being a 1966 Kansas City Chiefs AFL ring. The guest told Antiques Roadshow that his father was Smokey Stover, a former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker.

The guest also brought an old Chiefs jersey and 1962 Houston Texans AFL ring. The appraiser told the guest to insure the collection at $100,000.

1927 Birger Sandzén Painting - $30,000 - $65,000 auction

At the Antiques Roadshow in Salt Lake City, UT in 2006, a guest brought a 1927 Birger Sandzén painting to be appraised. According to the Antiques Roadshow appraiser, Sandzén was a Swedish artist who was living in Lindsborg Kansas when he made the painting.

The painting was appraised at $30,000 - $65,000.

Walter Johnson of Humboldt, Kansas -signed Baseball with Box, ca. 1925 - $60,000 auction $150,000 insurance

At an Antiques Roadshow event in Woodside, CA a guest brought in a 1925 baseball signed by Walter Johnson. Johnson was born in 1887 in Humboldt Kansas and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.

The guest told the Antiques Roadshow appraiser they thought the ball would be worth $5,000. They were shocked to hear the appraised value was between $60,000 and $100,000. The appraiser said to insure the ball for no less than $150,000.

1935 Birger Sandzén "Bear Lake, Logan, Utah" - $40,000 - $60,000 auction

At an Antiques Roadshow event in Eugene, OR, a guest brought another Sandzén painting from 1935 that was purchased by her grandfather. The Antiques Roadshow Appraiser said Sandzen was most often associated with Kansas because of his time spent teaching in the state.

The guest said her father paid $200 for the painting in 1935. The painting was appraised at $40,000 to $60,000.

Gale Sayers game-worn jersey, ca. 1969 - $20,000 - $30,000 auction

At an Antiques Roadshow event in Mobile, AL, a guest brought a game-worn jersey that belonged to Gale Sayers. Sayers was an American football player for the University of Kansas before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1965 and being named Rookie of the Year. 

The Antiques Roadshow appraiser told the guest that since he had the provenance of the jersey, the estimated value was between $20,000 and $30,000. The value was later updated in 2020 at $25,000 to $35,000.

Goldsmith Chandlee Surveyor's Compass, ca. 1790 - Updated value (2021) $20,000 - $25,000 retail

At an Antiques Roadshow event in Wichita, a guest brought a compass they had purchased at an antique shop in Salina. The guest had purchased the compass for $120 in 1970 and a friend had told them the compass was worth about $1,000.

The Antiques Roadshow appraiser told the guest that their compass was worth between $20,000 and $25,000 retail.

Kansas City Artist 1921 Delle Miller Oil Painting - $25,000 retail

At the Antiques Roadshow in Tulsa, OK in 2018, a guest brought in a 1921 painting from Kansas City artist Delle Miller. The guest told the Antiques Roadshow appraiser that the painting was purchased at an estate sale in Tulsa in 1984.

Delle Miller was born in Independence in 1875. She studied at the Kansas City Art Institute in the 1890s and taught various art classes in the state throughout her life.

The painting was appraised at $25,000 retail.

1915 Jess Willard "Pottawatomie Giant" Heavyweight Champion Watch $50,000 insurance

At the Antiques Roadshow in Sacramento, CA in 2019, a guest brought a watch that was presented to his grandfather the "Pottawatomie Giant", Jess Willard in 1915. Willard was a heavyweight champion from Pottawatomie County who was famously knocked out by Jack Dempsey in Toledo, Ohio in 1919.

The watch, engraved "heavyweight champion," was appraised at $15,000 to $25,000. The Antiques Roadshow appraiser recommended insuring the watch for $50,000.

Joseph Fleck Taos Landscape, ca. 1927 - $15,000 - $25,000 Auction

At the Antiques Roadshow in Minneapolis, MN in 2011, a guest brought a painting from 1927 that their grandparents had given them. The painting was by Joseph Fleck, an artist who started his career in Vienna before moving to Kansas City.

The painting was appraised at $15,000 to $25,000.

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