Imagine discovering a dusty old book in your attic, only to find out it’s worth a small fortune. That’s exactly what happened when Antiques Roadshow rolled into Utah, uncovering a 1937 copy of The Hobbit valued at six figures. But here’s where it gets controversial: Could a simple typo on a dust cover really make a book worth a fortune? And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just about the money; it’s the stories behind these treasures that captivate us.
Lottie Elizabeth Johnson, an entertainment reporter for the Deseret News, highlights how this season’s premiere, airing Monday night, shines a spotlight on Salt Lake City’s hidden gems. Back in June, around 4,000 lucky individuals—selected from a staggering 9,000 applicants—gathered at Red Butte Garden to have their cherished items appraised by experts. Out of thousands of artifacts, only about 140 were filmed, and roughly 120 made it into the episodes airing January 5, 12, and 19 on PBS.
The star of the show? That 1937 Hobbit book, appraised by Ken Sanders. A tiny typo on the rear flap of the dust cover revealed it as a true first printing of the U.K. first edition—a detail that skyrocketed its value. But here’s a thought-provoking question: In an age of Google and AI, do we still need human experts to uncover these hidden treasures? Marsha Bemko, the show’s executive producer, argues that the human touch is irreplaceable. ‘You can’t look some of this stuff up,’ she told the Deseret News. ‘The internet will never take away the human need for somebody to diagnose what you own.’
The premiere isn’t just about the Hobbit book. Viewers will also witness a woman’s jaw-dropping reaction when she learns her family’s Viennese platter is worth $30,000 to $60,000. And that’s not all—other Salt Lake City discoveries include a personal comic strip from Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, a third edition of The Book of Mormon, a handwritten letter from Ronald Reagan (about shoes!), and even a Mr. Peanut costume.
This marks the fourth time Antiques Roadshow has visited Salt Lake City, with previous stops in 1999, 2006, and 2016. So, what keeps audiences coming back after 30 seasons? It’s the blend of history, emotion, and expertise. As Bemko puts it, ‘They appreciate that family history. They appreciate the insights that this country’s top experts are giving you.’
But here’s a counterpoint to consider: With the rise of online appraisal tools, is Antiques Roadshow still relevant? Or does its enduring popularity prove that some things—like the thrill of discovery and human connection—can’t be replaced by technology? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
To catch all the action, tune in to the Season 30 premiere of Antiques Roadshow on Monday, January 5, at 7 p.m. MST on PBS. New episodes are also available to stream on YouTube, the Antiques Roadshow website, and the PBS app. Don’t miss out on these incredible stories—they might just inspire you to dig through your own attic!
