IT’S WORTH WHAT?

Just as the settlers put their belongings in a covered wagon and headed West for a better life, scores of Southern Nevadans will put their prized possessions in their wagons, sedans, trucks and SUVs and head to the Las Vegas Convention Center in hopes of finding treasure.

"Antiques Roadshow" will be at the convention center today with dozens of experts who will examine these treasures, unearth their histories and appraise their values.

The show, which airs nationally on PBS, brought between 70 and 80 appraisers covering more than 20 specialities, including furniture.

Among the items that are being inspected and appraised is Anne Overton's unique Murphy bed/secretary. The piece, which stands about 6 feet tall, features a secretary in the front and a pull-down bed in the back. It sits on casters.

"This piece would be great for someone to use as a desk and then take a nap," she said.

Overton purchased the piece about three years ago after her husband died because she needed a place to display his memorial items.

"It's very different. I've never seen another one like it. It just sits in my living room and is kind of a conversation piece. People are so shocked when they see that a bed comes out of the back."

Overton said when she first saw the piece, she thought it might also be a good place for her granddaughter to sleep when she visited. However, because of its size, she was unable to put it in one of her bedrooms so the piece has become more of a conversation starter.

She said it has several drawers in the front, including two fake drawers on the bottom, and a little pull-down desk that is lined with velvet. People who have seen the piece tell Overton it most likely dates back to the late 1800s.

"It's in excellent shape and has burl inlay on the front cabinets. I don't know anything about it and have no idea what it's worth," Overton said, adding that she paid about $950 for the bed/secretary.

Dennis McCarty will be bringing a unique table to the "Antiques Roadshow" event.

According to McCarty, the table was made in 1906 by a man named George Estes who couldn't read or write and had a small workshop in a shed behind his grandmother's house in Glendale, Calif.

"He made his own tools. He also made violins and guitars. I saw those around the shop," McCarty said.

The round table sits about 22 inches high and is 3 feet in diameter. It is made from pieces of scrap wood, including branches, that have been inlaid in geometric patterns. He suspects that about 100 varieties of wood were used. McCarty said the table has been in his family since at least the 1940s, when he was born.

"I'm kind of curious as to what other people think of it or if it has any value," he said of his reason behind submitting it to be examined.

McCarty said the table has been used by numerous family members, including children, and sits in his living room with the telephone on it.

"It's just a family member," he said.

Jim Marsh will be bringing a unique ice box to be appraised.

"I don't know much about it," he said. "It's a beautiful piece and looks almost like a corner board."

Marsh said that when he bought the ice box at an antique store in Central City, Neb., he didn't even realize what it was. It resembles a china cabinet.

"The only one I've ever seen like it was at The Henry Ford museum (in Dearborn, Mich.). If I had to take a guess, I would say it's from about the 1800s. I paid $2,500 for it. I hope its worth at least that much. I would think that I'll also learn some history. It's quite a unique piece," he said.

Marsh said the ice box was among the pictures of several antiques he submitted to "Antiques Roadshow" for consideration and was asked to bring it to the show.

Admission to the Roadshow is free, but tickets are required and had to be requested in advance of today's event. In all, 3,400 tickets were distributed.

According to the show's producers, three shows will be filmed during today's event, each featuring between 15 and 20 appraisals. They are set to air sometime between January and May on KLVX, Vegas PBS, Channel 10.

Among the factors considered when deciding which pieces to include on the television series are the historical significance of the object, whether it or the guest tells a great story, and if it is worth far more or less than expected.