I frequently watch the 'Antique Road Show' and I find it wise to keep
in mind who sponsors the show.  They are in business to sell insurance,
and when the program was taped in San Antonio at the Convention Center
it became apparent to me what was really going on.

As you entered the exhibit hall, large tables were set up filled
with _free_ video tapes on "How to Insure Antiques."  Almost everyone,
including me, took one.  Then you stood in line for what seemed like
days, waiting to present your treasure to an expert.  They examined
your item and gave you an appraisal.  Quite obviously the higher the
appraisal, the more insurance you assumed you needed!

The rest should be fairly obvious.  The great disparity in value
between items on various programs could be attributed to just which
"expert" is consulted.

Ed Gaida