The “Antiques Roadshow” arrived for production at a regional museum as was reported in our July issue. The interest unearthing a treasure from a yard-sale or family hand-me-down certainly is alive and well.

I’ve regularly watched the program for years and enjoy the educational aspect of it. I’ve disagreed, at times, with the valuations the experts have offered, but I also know the markets are different in different places and at different times. I also find the episodes of the program where the valuation of the item at an original valuation is compared with one some years later. To me, those later valuations speak mainly to the collecting “trends” of the times.

Sometimes people wonder when it is suggested that an item be insured at higher value that the appraised value. As I understand it, the higher insurance valuation takes into consideration what it would cost to replace the item, given its condition and rarity, at some time in the future.

Valuation of an antique and especially a “collectible” isn’t easy. Supply and demand apply in these markets as well. Fortunately, I’m not a treasure hunter. I’m a collector of antiques I like as well as what Linda and I agree fit our view of our house when it comes to antiques décor.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy to get a good value at a shop or auction or flea market. But “treasure hunting” isn’t my motivation. There’s too much stress.

There are what we used to call “pickers” who sometimes help supply antiques dealers with inventory. They are, in essence, the middlemen who hopefully know values and their regular customers’ needs based on the dealers’ niche retail market.

For amateur treasure hunters, I’d say consider becoming a collector things that interest you. And if you find a “treasure” along the way, consider it a bonus.