Treasure Hunting With The Antiques Road Show

When people live in a home for a very long time, they usually forget about some of their really good things, says Bailey. So take stock of any items you have a hunch about (find out how to research antiques), particularly things that have been passed down through the family. And if you have a long-dormant storage unit or safe deposit box, then it might be time to detail its contents.Which actress and mother of three has collected toy monkeys since she was a child?

When a family member dies, people have a tendency to throw out all the contents of their file cabinets, but you should go through those cabinets piece by piece in case there are any historical documents, says Bailey. She has worked with people who've unearthed letters and documents from the Civil War (see photos). Which Academy Award-winning actor collects vintage typewriters from the 1940s?

Wipe your feet. You may be treading on the most valuable item in your house. Rugs can be very valuable, says Bailey. In particular, vintage Persian tribal or city rugs (what do they look like?) that were beautifully made and are still in good condition.Which blonde, big-screen actress has an affinity for antique linens?

Make sure you check out the smelly sports equipment in your garage, says Bailey. Long-forgotten baseball bats (check out the record price paid for Babe Ruth's bat) and gloves and tennis racquets are among potentially lucrative items—as are golf clubs. Some single golf clubs can be worth thousands of dollars.Which late-night guy owns over 100 cars and about 90 motorcycles?

Family photos that are circa-1900 or older can be very attractive to collectors, says Bailey, adding that with photos from as far back as the 19th century (check out the recent discovery of a rare Robert E. Lee photo), most people have little idea of who's in the picture—a good thing if you're as sentimental as we are.Which famed runway model collects mounted insects?

Bailey says that stacks of hardback books (see estimated price of this popular first edition) can yield all manner of treasures, as books are, in general, widely collectible. Paperbacks, unfortunately, have little to no value beyond the personal. And bibles, no matter how old they are, really have no commercial value. All the important bibles are in museums. Which sultry screen siren collects daggers and first edition books?

Old musical instruments should always be appraised, says Bailey. There are some very rare, valuable instruments in people's attics. Pianos, for one, are very collectible, but because they're pricey (one of the most expensive pianos sold for how much?), can be slow sellers in this market. Which famous Cosby kid has an obsession with bass guitars?

While vintage Singer sewing machines are typically not worth much, according to Bailey, Small sewing items like thimbles and needle-holders and darners and the 18th- and 19th-century containers that hold sewing items can yield high prices. Take a look at these antique sewing items.This Academy Award-winning actor collects vintage comic books.

Collectors of military paraphernalia are getting more common, so don't overlook retro uniforms, military documents, medals, hats and—of course—guns, knives, swords and other weaponry, when digging around the attic. Find out how many millions of dollars Napoleon’s sword fetched at auction.Which stand-up comedian collects samurai swords and Russian machine guns?

China and glass usually get over looked because they're daily use items, but you could be eating off some very expensive things, says Bailey. It's wise to have all finer china and pedigreed glassware appraised. Check out this glass museum.In addition to poetry, which author has a vast collection of garden sculptures?

Chinese antiquities from the 1600s and 1700s—think vases, porcelain, bronzes and jade—are among the most lucrative categories in collecting right now. But since we don't have a cellar full of jade, we'll stick to excavating for old silver and gold jewelry, Bailey's second-place pick for the season's hottest seller. What was the most expensive collection on the Antiques Roadshow?Which Aussie actress and country music lover collects ancient coins of Judah?