SO TRUE. IT TURNS OUT THE SHROUD OF TRENTON IS WORTHLESS

Experts say appraising is difficult, don't try it yourself

People who watch "Antiques Roadshow" on TV may be inspired to clean closets and hunt through attics for family heirlooms that, just maybe, could be worth thousands of dollars.

David Carroll, director of collections and curatorial affairs at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, looks over a 19th century Nothern Plains peace pipe. But before running off to the closest antiques dealer with an armful of Amish quilts and century-old Teddy bears, be warned: your treasures may not be as valuable as you think they are.

One of the drawbacks of "Antiques Roadshow" is, after watching it, people may think they've learned enough to appraise their own valuables. But, more often than not, antiques experts don't recommend self-appraising, unless it's to get an idea of what the object is. Finding out how much the object is worth should be left to the experts, they say.

caveats galore