EUGENE, Ore. -- Eugene delivered a "wow" moment for "The Antiques Roadshow" on Saturday after a Norman Rockwell painting was deemed to be worth an estimated $500,000, tied for the second most valuable item ever appraised in the 15-year history of the Public Broadcasting Service television program.
The daylong taping of the show involved about 6,000 local ticket holders who brought their collectibles to the Lane Events Center for appraisal.
John Jordan, the show's publicist, said he could not reveal the identity of the painting's owner but confirmed the person lives in the Springfield area.
The artwork is a 1919 original oil-on-canvas painting by Rockwell titled "The Little Model" that was used on a cover of Collier's magazine. The painting depicts a girl with a dog, posing in front of a fashion poster. The owner told appraiser Nan Chisholm, of Nan Chisholm Fine Art in New York City, that the painting had been in the family for at least 90 years after Rockwell gave it to his great-grandmother.
"As we start our 16th season here in Eugene, we couldn't be more excited about such an extraordinary, rare treasure, and we look forward to sharing it with America," said Marsha Bemko, the show's executive producer.
A collection of Chinese jade items appraised last year holds the show's highest value at $710,000 to $1,070,000. A 1937 Clyfford Still oil painting was also valued at $500,000 in 2008.
While the Roadshow has been to Portland twice, this was the program's first visit to Eugene.
"About half of the cities (the Roadshow visits) have an item in the six figures," Jordan said, "but we don't ever expect it. This was very nice."
Jordan said Eugene also produced two other notable finds:
A 1935 Birger Sand-zin oil-on-canvas painting was valued at $40,000 to $60,000. The painting by the notable Swedish-American impressionist has remained in the original frame since it was purchased by the owner's grandfather.
A circa 1970-80 gem-and-gold encrusted carved onyx figure from Venice, Italy, also was valued at $40,000 to $60,000.
