1st Alabama canteen on Antiques Roadshow

[Dreamer42]

Did anyone catch Antiques Roadshow last night? A fellow in San Antonio had a wooden canteen with cloth strap and bone button. It had belonged to a rebel who was mustered in at Pensacola, Fla in 1861. He had been offered $300 for it a few years ago, it was estimated at being worth $5,000.
Just a good example, I guess, of how there is still stuff out here that those outside of the hobby/collectors.

- Jay Reid
Dreamer42
9th Texas

[Citman05]

Re: 1st Alabama canteen on Antiques Roadshow

I did catch that, great find. I loved the history of the unit, being captured twice and being paroled, only 100 of the original 1000 surviving the war. I think that’s what made the canteen so interesting, was the history of the unit.

[csabugler]

Re: 1st Alabama canteen on Antiques Roadshow

I saw that, thought I'd like to get my hands on it to see if it was original...
Not that I'm a canteen expert but...

[JimKindred]

Re: 1st Alabama canteen on Antiques Roadshow

I did catch that, great find. I loved the history of the unit, being captured twice and being paroled, only 100 of the original 1000 surviving the war. I think that’s what made the canteen so interesting, was the history of the unit.

I'm really proud one of those hundred survivors made it, my great great grandfather. :) He was in G Company, the Perote Guards.

[benjclark]

Re: 1st Alabama canteen on Antiques Roadshow

If you'd like to watch... http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200703A50.html. You can actually go to the Antiques Roadshow website, visit the archives and search terms like Civil War, Adam's Cat, whathaveyou.

Best,

[rogue]

Re: 1st Alabama canteen on Antiques Roadshow

This show ran in 2007 when money was, shall we say different, from what it is now. Still a nice identified item. One in similar shape but with initials and no unit designation just sold on ebay for a little over $1,000.00.
Do cedar canteens show up in the field today as frequently as they should?
S.Sullivan

[Gallinipper]

Re: 1st Alabama canteen on Antiques Roadshow

Do cedar canteens show up in the field today as frequently as they should?

Steve, good point. Probably not, judging by the relatively good number that seem to have survived. Perhaps another question might be who makes a truly outstanding reproduction these days, outside of a couple of private parties.

Plus there was always that issue of broken ribs when landing on them after "taking hits", within the mainstream community anyway....

[Bill]

Re: 1st Alabama canteen on Antiques Roadshow

One thing to keep in mind with relics. The price usually goes way up when the item can be identified to a specific individual or unit. Especially if that individual or unit was famous.

Another thing to keep in mind. A relic is only worth what one person is willing to take and another person is willing to spend.

[Marc]

Re: 1st Alabama canteen on Antiques Roadshow

One thing to keep in mind with relics. The price usually goes way up when the item can be identified to a specific individual or unit. Especially if that individual or unit was famous.

Another thing to keep in mind. A relic is only worth what one person is willing to take and another person is willing to spend.

How correct you are.....the fair market value of anything is the agreed upon price between a willing buyer and willing seller, all parties having knowledge of the relavent facts.