Series features stories about treasures from collectors across the Chesapeake Bay region
Following a three-year pause in production, Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) popular original series Chesapeake Collectibles returns for its 11th season with a fresh look and a treasure trove of captivating finds beginning on Monday, January 8, 2024. A preview of the new season is available at youtube.com/watch?v=qsIC4wb8_rU.
Chesapeake Collectibles’ 13 weekly episodes will be broadcast on MPT-HD and available on the MPT livestream on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. immediately preceding the acclaimed PBS series Antiques Roadshow. Viewers can also find full episodes of the series on MPT’s online video player and the PBS App.
Encore broadcasts of episodes air on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. on MPT2 and the MPT2 livestream.
One of MPT’s most successful flagship series, Chesapeake Collectibles showcases items from around the world brought to the show by individuals from across the Chesapeake region. During each episode, passionate collectors have their unique, antique, and collectible possessions evaluated by expert appraisers, who reveal fascinating facts about each item’s history, provenance, and value.
The upcoming season features a broad range of treasures including a pair of vintage Air Jordan sneakers, memorabilia related to the sinking of the Titanic, a hat owned by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, the personal collection of a NASA astronaut, an original Barbie doll, a ceremonial sword from the Pacific Islands, and the first computer manufactured by Apple.
“This season of Chesapeake Collectibles features an incredible array of items, and we can’t wait to share their stories with viewers,” notes series Executive Producer Patrick Keegan. “Our team of 14 appraisers evaluated more than 3,000 items – each as fascinating as the next. As producers, our job is to identify which collectibles best lend themselves to a compelling story, and I think our viewers will be surprised and delighted by the stories we selected this season.”
Nearly 1,000 guests attended the Chesapeake Collectibles season 11 taping event, which took place in June 2023 at The Irene and Edward H. Kaplan Production Studio on MPT’s Owings Mills campus.
JANUARY EPISODE SUMMARIES
January 8 episode: A priceless treasure – former Chesapeake Collectibles series host Rhea Feikin – brings a treasure of her own for evaluation. A thrift store find is revealed to be a piece of White House china from 1891. Historian and social media influencer Evan Woodard shares one of his latest finds. An ornate, monumental clock impresses an appraiser. And, one of the first Apple computers designed and built in 1976 by company founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak is revealed to be the single most valuable item to ever appear on the show.
January 15 episode: A guest shares an extraordinary collection of Titanic artifacts and memorabilia. Discover “what’s hot” and “what’s not” in modern collectibles. The value of a Maasai portrait shocks the owners. A Swiss pocket watch brooch is revealed to have more than just sentimental value. And, the origins of a Colonial-era betty lamp are uncovered.
January 22 episode: Historic treasures abound in this episode, including a ceremonial hat that once belonged to Benito Mussolini; a series of prints commemorating the Tuskegee Airmen; a Nazi dagger confiscated from a member of the SS; a collection of rare prototype plates produced for the B&O Railroad; and a Colt Dragoon revolver once owned by a stagecoach guard in the Wild West.
January 29 episode: A gift from a friend is revealed to be from the first line of Barbie dolls in 1959. An unusual signature raises the value of a Joe Montana NFL rookie card. A basement find proves to be a highly sought-after bottle of Remy Martin cognac. An Afghan war rug tells the story of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. And, discover the historical significance of a photograph taken of U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) during the Civil War.
For more information about the series, visit chesapeakecollectibles.com. The website also features the new Talkin’ Collectibles blog, found at mpt.org/blogs/chesapeake-collectibles/.
Major funding for season 11 of Chesapeake Collectibles is provided by Alex Cooper Auctioneers, Inc. and the generous members of Maryland Public Television.
About Maryland Public Television
Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service member offering entertaining, educational, and inspiring content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices. A state agency, it operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission. MPT creates and distributes local, regional, and national content and is a frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards. MPT’s commitment to educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through instructional events and Thinkport.org. MPT’s year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources on a wide range of topics. For more information visit mpt.org.
