{"id":5236,"date":"2023-11-18T01:42:40","date_gmt":"2023-11-18T00:42:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/?p=5236"},"modified":"2023-11-18T01:42:40","modified_gmt":"2023-11-18T00:42:40","slug":"man-takes-family-navajo-blanket-in-for-appraisal-not-knowing-its-a-national-treasure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/?p=5236","title":{"rendered":"Man takes family Navajo blanket in for appraisal not knowing it\u2019s a \u201cnational treasure\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world of antiques and collectibles is filled with surprises, and sometimes, the most unassuming items can turn out to be treasure.<\/p>\n

This is the story of a man named Ted, who brought a seemingly ordinary blanket to the Antiques Roadshow, only to discover that it was a rare and valuable artifact.<\/p>\n

The blanket, a mid-19th Century Navajo Ute First Phase blanket, was not just an antique but a piece of history that held a significant monetary value.<\/p>\n

It originally belonged to a Chieftan.<\/p>\n

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\nSOURCE:YOUTUBE \u2013 ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW PBS<\/p>\n

Ted\u2019s story begins with a blanket that was given to his grandmother\u2019s foster father by Kit Carson, a frontiersman and folk hero of the American West.<\/p>\n

Ted believed the blanket to be Navajo, but he had no idea of its true significance.<\/p>\n

When he presented it to Donald Ellis, an appraiser on the Antiques Roadshow, Ellis was visibly taken aback.<\/p>\n

The blanket was not just a Navajo artifact; it was a Ute First Phase blanket.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a rare and valuable piece of Navajo weaving.<\/p>\n

The Ute First Phase blanket is a unique piece of Navajo weaving.<\/p>\n

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\nSOURCE:YOUTUBE \u2013 ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW PBS<\/p>\n

Made for Ute chiefs in the mid-19th century, these blankets are characterized by their pure linear design.<\/p>\n

They represent the beginning of Navajo weaving.
\nIt was what they included before the introduction of patterns and diamonds.<\/p>\n

The blanket that Ted brought in was in unbelievable condition, despite a little bit of damage. Its texture was almost like silk, a testament to the fine hand-woven wool used in its creation.<\/p>\n

The blanket was dyed with indigo, a valuable dye at the time.
\nInterestingly, there was an old repair on the blanket, probably done in the 1860s, with raveled bayeta, a significant element in Navajo weaving.<\/p>\n

This repair, along with the blanket\u2019s overall condition and design, made it an extraordinary piece of art and a national treasure.<\/p>\n

Ellis asked Ted if he had any idea of the blanket\u2019s value. Ted, who was not a wealthy man, had no clue.<\/p>\n

Ellis then revealed that on a bad day, the blanket would be worth $350,000, and on a good day, it could fetch up to half a million dollars.<\/p>\n

Ted was left speechless by this revelation.
\nThe blanket that had been casually lying on the back of a chair was now a life-changing artifact.<\/p>\n

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\nSOURCE:YOUTUBE \u2013 ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW PBS<\/p>\n

Ellis further explained that the value he quoted did not take into account the blanket\u2019s provenance or its history of ownership.<\/p>\n

It it was truly Kit\u2019s, the estimate goes up.
\nProvenance can sometimes be difficult to ascertain, but if it could be proven without a reasonable doubt that Kit Carson did indeed own the blanket, its value could increase by another 20%.<\/p>\n

Ted was overwhelmed by the news.
\nHis family were poor farmers, and there was no wealth in the family. The blanket, a seemingly ordinary item, was now a symbol of unexpected fortune.<\/p>\n

Ted was moved to tears by the revelation, a testament to the power and surprise of discovering a hidden treasure.<\/p>\n

The video ends with Ted thanking Ellis, still in disbelief over the value of his blanket.
\nHis story serves as a reminder of the surprises that can be found in the most unexpected places.<\/p>\n

It also highlights the importance of preserving and appreciating historical artifacts, as they can hold significant cultural and monetary value.<\/p>\n

Ted\u2019s Navajo Ute First Phase blanket, a gift from a historical figure to his ancestor, turned out to be a national treasure worth a fortune.<\/p>\n

This story serves as a reminder of the rich history and value that can be found in seemingly ordinary items and the importance of preserving these pieces of our past.<\/p>\n

Would you believe the value has increased significantly since this episode originally aired? It\u2019s now estimated to fetch anywhere between $750,000 to $1,000,000!<\/p>\n