Alan Pruitt and his stepson, Damon Smith, drove from LaFayette, Ga., on Friday to see if their Bradley and Hubbard “Gone With the Wind” oil lamp, a 100-year-old vaporizer, tintype photographs and Victorian dictionary stand might interest buyers in the Treasure Hunters Roadshow.
The Roadshow is in Chattanooga today and for the next week, scouting out treasures lying in local attics and closets.
“We’ve got all kinds of things like this,” Mr. Pruitt told buyer Holly Boatner and show manager Linda Hall.
That’s what Treasure Hunters’ buyers like to hear, said Roadshow spokesman Matthew Enright, who expects about 1,200 hopeful sellers in coming days.
Treasure Hunters Roadshow differs from the popular PBS television series “Antiques Roadshow.” Treasure Hunters doesn’t appraise items, but actually buys some of the collectibles and gold brought in by curious owners. The buyers work on commission, Mr. Enright said.
He said the company holds about 1,000 shows worldwide every year and televises about 25 of them.
Ms. Hall said the buyers are like brokers between sellers and collectors. To research items they aren’t familiar with, buyers use the Internet and collectors’ databases — listings of items collectors are seeking.
IF YOU GO* When: Today through Feb. 20* Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza* Hours: 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.Source: Chattanooga Convention Center calendar
When a buyer told Mr. Pruitt she could offer him $200 for his lamp, he hesitated.
“That’s been sitting in our house for years,” he said, staring at the hand-painted green lamp. “These things are like children.”
Ms. Hall said it’s not uncommon to see sellers have trouble parting with things, but in today’s economy, many can use the money.
“That’s the heart of it,” she said, watching another buyer pile gold jewelry on a scale. “When we can write them a nice fat check, it makes you feel pretty good.”