Top Finds: Seymour Card Table, ca. 1794

In Vintage Secaucus, Leigh Keno appraises a Seymour card table, ca. 1794.
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[@JoeyTea1]

I dont know why but I find it so wholesome that these guys get so genuinely excited over a table that most would dismiss almost immediately

[@dantheman1337]

Auctioneers who knew they are worth a fortune

[@proudnerd3]

Had the privilege of seeing one of these bad boys at the National Gallery of Art in DC this week. I recognized it because of the roadshow and only now really understood how extradorinaiy this find is (especially as one of a handful with a readable Seymour label).

[@stevebutler812]

It sold at auction: $490,000😳 I used to have an old piece of furniture similar to that in terms of its history. It's sat in my bedroom as a kid and I loved all the marks because it talked about its age and the people who had been there before. My mother thought she'd surprise me and took it to her brother who took a belt sander to it and cleaned it up so that it would look like it was brand new with no scratches marks or any of the history. In other words, he deemed it completely useless because I no longer wanted it in my room because it wasn't speaking to me. Even though I was only ten years old, I insisted that my mom take it out of my room and I didn't care what she did with it and I never saw it again. Thank goodness someone didn't try to do this lady the same favor. That is an incredibly Exquisite table in terms of its handmade detail. But when she said $20,000 I thought they were going to come down. I am shocked. Good for her. And good that she preserved it so the rest of us can appreciate this beautiful workmanship. I'm pretty sure the Ikea generation doesn't even care about what I'm saying. But that's what capitalism and money can do, allow some people to pay $300,000 for table that basically seems like no big deal and yet is a piece of History.

[@arifsjc7670]

Why would collectors pay millions for a Monet? Seymours are the best from 'Federal' period. She knew the table was important after purchasing it. She had researched the maker from 'John Seymour & Son' label. Vernon Stoneman's book on the Seymours was published in 1960s. A dealer had offered her $25K decades earlier. That's why she had guessed to Leigh Keno: "twenty thousand???"

[@ChuckKeough]

I love when the Keno brothers tag team an appraisal.

[@basehead617]

Me too, they seem like they'd be great to hang out with, really knowledgable but not smug or condescending at all.

[@ZeroTSONG]

Stop talking lady

[@valereebraz198]

If you see both Keno brothers, whatever it is is probably worth a lot.

[@bonnieroggensees6003]

I love this episode of these twins were just so excited to see this and the lady was kind of a character. She wasn't obviously excited because they were. We all wish we could find these kind of finds a garage sales and make some money

[@katyfoye]

I love when the brothers are together

[@arifsjc7670]

Some newcomer, young wife gave away hubby's family heirloom for $25 saying, "This brown furniture doesn't match my modern taste."

[@Hotwash544]

If it were gray she would have kept it

[@BLane-xr1ic]

Yep. It sold for $490,000!

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

These brothers are the best. They know what their talking about...

[@Mikeycrzed]

I wish I can have an exciting moment by looking at a table.

[@terrywade3696]

This episode is probably my all time favorite! The brothers got so excited when they saw it that I couldn’t wait to hear what they had to say about it! This sweet lady bought herself a gold mine for $25!

[@louisasmiles]

you know its important if TWO guys read the value

[@DougCeleste]

Not a bad deal for this lady who paid just $25 for it. Just too bad that the seller did not know of the gold mine that she had in this table and sold it for so low.

[@robertobrion874]

She should not be greedy and give the seller some reward money. If she did not shes pretty greedy.

[@12tippettm]

roberto brion pretty sure she's 💀

[@ChuckKeough]

I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't give that person at least 10k after I sold it.

[@cameronjames3499]

I understand the motivation of what you are saying, and agree. However, the cynic is me suspects that giving them some money could open the door to a nasty dispute. They might not even know of the sale, or of a way to contact her. Also having some of it may lead them to feel attached to the idea and try to convince themselves that really by rights they should have more or even all of it. There's even a scenario where they are only able to pursue for the full amount because they use what they are generously gifted to go and hire a lawyer.

[@drunkenmasterii3250]

@@robertobrion874 It was 30 years ago she said. So you think she's gonna chase down the seller?

[@kristopherversteegt2939]

I love how Keno says "Mahogany"!

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

"Ohw! Yess!" Classic American grandma speak haha. What a windfall. It sold for around 541k at a Sotheby's auction for anyone curious.

[@MrDickHank]

Real life Frasier and Niles Crane

[@ameliareaganwright2758]

WOW!!! What a fantastic find for only $25 bucks!!!

[@seanl583]

Her reaction is amazing, it's like she has no concept of value

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

That's a bit unfair. She said "oh, probably $20,000" so she did think it was worth a lot of money, but not just as insanely much.

[@tombramley5318]

I agree! Why is she not screaming or passing out!! I know I would be.

[@arifsjc7670]

@@g-r-a-e-m-e- - She said $20,000 because she a dealer offered to by for $25K in 60-70's. The exact form was known as its matching table came to light in '60s in Maine and was bought by Kaufman. I don't remember if mate has label. That (mate) table was published in another dealer Michael Flannigan's book 'American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection.'

[@papillonvu]

Not bad for plunking down 25 bucks at a garage sale! ...now for the original owner though... ouch!

[@ukisa3rdworld586]

He's deceased

[@andrewherbert8125]

Pause at 2:21, spot the physco killer

[@zangolli1963]

Haha so true

[@chomperxd1896]

Okay but I just found a half of a table like this in my great grandmas house and it’s sitting outside in the trash pile. I’m about to RUN.

[@taurnguard]

The auction was in 1999. Yes it sold for $490,000, but when you add the fees from the auction house to the buyer, it totalled $541,500. Here's the video of the 1999 Sotheby's auction. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXaXmXlup5eJfaM

[@YoutubeCensorsYou]

Imagine right after they give her the value, two guys in the background suddely start fighting, and one of them picks the table up and goes WWE on the other... lol!

[@anb740]

When the Keno brothers get together to appraise an item, you know you’re about to strike gold!

[@DougCeleste]

Not a bad return on a $25 investment!!!!

[@thelyrebird1310]

The table was made at the time my great x5 grandfather was being transported to Australia chained in the bottom of a prison ship.

[@favrerules04]

Nice! What did he....excuse me....what was he accused of?

[@SirPhilMcCrackinVonBeggington]

I'm sure he was an absolutely outstanding individual if ever there was one.

[@mildredpierce4506]

I saw this when it originally aired. When you have both Keno brothers doing an appraisal, you know that's a good sign. Later the table was auction off by one of the Kenos for even more than what it was appraised for.

[@randywissler9923]

$490,000+buyers premium

[@valereebraz198]

Yep. If both brothers are at an appraisal, you can bet whatever it is is worth a lot.

[@worldbooks2003]

Hey ARS, need to bring back the Keno's. Good people and great experts.

[@matt1524]

lol she said, "$225,000? can you write that down?" haha

[@MrPatrick1414]

I have two of these at home and used them as goalposts...:)

[@MichaelTexas70]

Saw a similar table at T.J. Max

[@mu11igan]

Sold for around $600k. That's a nearly 40% annualized return on $25 over 30 years. Not bad.

[@Brickcellent]

Nice factoid.

[@Slenderirl]

YES

[@XercesandAlexander]

I love that she said, "250,000...are you going to write it down?" As they went on to explain it could go higher lol

[@Ihavetruth22]

Rick from pawn stars. 'I'll give you $30. I need to make money'.

[@Ihavetruth22]

hahahah

[@matthewthacker3683]

im taking a risk and have to do all the work and it will sit in my shop for awhile and then i gotta pay employees to shoe it. The most i can do is 20.00 and a 6 pack of michelob ultra

[@futuristicgamingGOA]

This made my day 6 years later , thank you xD

[@jpolar394]

Rick: I'm taking a very big chance on this. I have to get it refinished then it will take up space in my store. The best I can do is 50 dollars and that's my bottom line.

[@franklyterrence4860]

Those twins are just so identical.

[@ndspeedster]

she sold this at an auction with pbs film crew in tow... one of the keno brothers bid up to over 300k.. it finally sold for 490k to some arab.

[@royalt3690]

Wow, I would have been alot more excited than that to hear maybe 300k!!!

[@roddydykes7053]

Royal T she was probably in disbelief lol, the average garage saler doesn’t usually expect their purchases to increase value x16,000

[@basehead617]

Why does no one make tables of this high quality and craftsmanship anymore?

[@davidnesting6466]

They do - - you just don't find it at the typical furniture store.... it is all custom work. www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjAibDC86bdAhVRMawKHWWkB08QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpeachstatesapfm.info%2Fabout-me%2F&psig=AOvVaw2u5ThdX_2l8mvSJUb4DAjA&ust=1536341216502473

[@countcagliostro3337]

I do.

[@bighands69]

Have a look at Paul Sellers youtube channel and his wood working knowledge. He is one of the better online sources to look at. He even teaches people how to make traditional furniture to a high standard. I am sure there are other amazing craftsmen out there.

[@karmatt3098]

Brown is down my friend. Such a bummer.

[@ecosse543]

I'm getting left a MDF coffee table. Currently valued at £3

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

This is a classic.

[@stevep641]

That took me a minute to realise they’re twins

[@mid-ohioguardian6927]

Sold ...$490,000

[@texmexatx]

'"can you write that down?"

[@arifsjc7670]

Keno: "Yes, ma'am. We will have it all listed in Sotheby's Americana '98 auction catalog, lot 1440 to be specific. Just bring it over."

[@photolator]

WHAT A GREAT TABLE :-)

[@joshpaul003]

Andy and Ollie all grown up!

[@UncleRichard.]

2:21 watch your back old lady!!!!

[@blastprosful]

SOLD

[@domvioli423]

Yes!

[@muchimi]

I think I have one of these!!

[@holymoly8718]

0:07 nice tabletop

[@dorinemort6359]

I'd be all like "CHA-CHING"!!!

[@poolhall9632]

“yes, yes…yes” “Yes” “Yes, yes”

[@njb1126]

This was on roadshow just a few days ago. I think this is the first time the keno brothers appeared on the show but I’m not sure

[@stripervince1]

Can’t believe the keno brothers show was a flop. I loved it

[@saminas8915]

Ahhh, still have that Sotheby's auction catalog, but Stephanie Seymour has the table.

[@mats7492]

deal of her lifetime

[@gio_32]

Incredible for something I would have thought was worthless

[@charlesv3962]

Easily in 2023 at the right auction with two or more bidders really going at it, $850K- $1M plus, it’s a very sought after piece of a early American furniture maker

[@St3llawasadiv3r]

The twins look like my middle school gym teacher

[@kebabsvein1]

Yes

[@martyreking5487]

Pawn star Rick - how much would you like Lady - I was thinking about $ 500 Rick - well...it's all scratched and it's obviously only half a table so the best I can do is $50 and I'm taking a big chance here ...hiiiihiiiihiiiii ( fake laugh ) .

[@Crystal-bp6gv]

She had a troll in the back . Red hair greenish sweeter. Lol

[@codyleslie478]

She thought she was so great at cleaning and appraising and got humbled!

[@lprophit]

yes.. yes YES!

[@Beer_Wolf]

Imagine how many antiques like this get destroyed chucked into skips to be disposed of with people completely oblivious to their historic value.

[@kurtdahle]

Ed Norton's older twin brothers

[@gilbertmartinez1504]

planeshift GAY older twin brothers...!

[@Mybpeterson]

To my knowledge only one of the two are gay.

[@gilbertmartinez1504]

Mybpeterson Interchangable in bed, so, it makes no difference. lol.

[@conscience-commenter]

How could a prestigious table crafted with such exquisite detail for a wealthy family wind up at a garage sale for $30 ? Makes you wonder how ultra rich people take wealth for granted . I'm glade the woman got $500,000 for the table and hopefully enjoyed every cent of it .

[@Beer_Wolf]

Inheritance, passed down through generations unaware... ignorance just sees it as junk.

[@Georgie-gg8gd]

Holy cow I got 3of them !! Oh no ,there orange boxes!!!

[@slcncr]

There ? Where ? Here ?

[@yarp123123123123123]

imagine being the person that sold it for $25 and seeing this.

[@PanAM88]

Suicidal

[@camman6912]

I hope her neighbor isn’t watching this

[@kevins1088]

Yes yes yesssss yes yes yessss

[@Georgejmh]

She eventually auctioned it off, for $449,000.

[@antoniomontgomery859]

She knew. She just threw out $20k lil it was.nothing.. Gee I have no idea w/ a carefree smile

[@arifsjc7670]

She knew the table was important after purchasing it. She had researched the maker from 'John Seymour & Son' label. Vernon Stoneman's book on the Seymours was published in 1960s. She got that from library in NJ. Later, a dealer had offered her $25K decades earlier according to Kenos. That's why she had guessed to Leigh Keno: "twenty thousand???"

[@Poseidon650]

What if he just ripped a leg off?

[@Dielonthug]

And started beating her with it

[@CraigMCox]

NOT WORTH ANYTHING NOW, SUZANNE!

[@mnunley010]

@@Dielonthug and it's not even a table leg. It's hers.

[@sarahwaters8262]

WTF 😂😂😂

[@3506Dodge]

All the wrong people have the money today.

[@mildredpierce4506]

This doesn't compare to what this lady bought and the value of table but I bought a book from Goodwill for a dollar and sold it for $50 on eBay.

[@ElwoodPDowd-nz2si]

Moral of the Antique Roadshow: don't refinish your colonial furniture.

[@WillBockovenCRE]

And credits roll during the best part

[@petercram9691]

"oh"

[@SavageAirCinema]

She just doesn't shut uuuuuuup.

[@XFreQ69]

Well, can't you? I mean you don't HAVE to type that kind of dumb comment you know? I watch the video and then go see a few comments to maybe learn a bit more ... but what do you bring to the table exactly? Clown.

[@gemmel3197]

How do you play cards on such a small table?

[@arifsjc7670]

The rear hinged legs swings out, and a table leaf flips over to rest on two rear legs. Then it is an oval shape -- approx 34~36 inches.

[@jackduffy1817]

This design of table, Was referd to, And still is, A hall-table. So What do you know.

[@jackduffy1817]

Because it's the only place ln a house were it fits. Over and Out.

[@lisamcallister6534]

Jack Duffy It is a demilune.

[@arifsjc7670]

Demilune -- there is a hinged top-leaf that flips open to make it a round table (more of an oval) approx 35 inches.

[@PetStuBa]

if this happened to me .. seriously, I would give a 1/10 th part to the person I bought it from .; fair is fair ..

[@AndrewBarsky]

225k “SOLD”

[@woofielove1970]

2:20 uhh wish that wuuus mine

[@PiranhaJaw22]

2018: $25

[@davidakridge2831]

Most ladies would have brought that home and sanded it down and painted it yellow to match the kitchen.

[@touchofdumb]

For every $1 she paid It returned $19,600 at auction.

[@HunterShows]

Hmm, what to do with my $600,000...oh, I know, how about a little table for the hallway. Yeah.

[@tabathafeucht3513]

I would have had a stroke.....

[@basehead617]

Tabatha Feucht she seems like she maybe has already had one

[@jemand8462]

who would spend such an amount of money on a table?!

[@caractacuspottsAZ]

sold for $490k ($541k with buyers premium) a year later.

[@dookstapa2864]

So back then in America during the 1790’s the Seymours’ made that table as part of their cabinetry business. In case you didn’t know black people lived in Africa and they didn’t know how (lacked skill and ingenuity) to make quality furniture back then. And outside of Africa you know they had other ‘jobs’

[@deanvoss7098]

She paid $25 for it but I'll give her $100 for it that's a good return on her investment

[@TheAustralian1x]

Imagine giving it to someone for 25 dollars i hope they dont see this 🤭😅

[@gavinbarnes6310]

Wow for 25 dollars

[@hillarym4550]

Are those guys twins?

[@mildredpierce4506]

Yes

[@guillermolopez9848]

I wonder if she went back and gave the lady that sold it to her the other 5 bucks

[@bighands69]

Why would she. The person selling the table was doing it for a living and it was her own duty when running a business to understand what she had.

[@georgebelev1900]

I give it no more than 50$