Season 17

Part 1 of 3. Season 17 begins in Corpus Christi, Texas, where a million-dollar discovery is made: an oil painting created by an 18-year-old Diego Rivera in 1904. Other items include a 1967 painting by Alexander Calder; a Japanese bronze of a mythical figure; and a giant Fisk "Tire Boy" sign.

Part 2 of 3 in Corpus Christi, Texas, features an individual who scored John Lennon's autograph after meeting the Beatles; and a person who received a book inscribed by Salvador Dalí from the artist himself. Also: Vintage flash art is investigated at an area tattoo parlor.

Conclusion. In Corpus Christi, Texas, items include a 1912 portrait by Charles Courtney Curran; a Porfirio Salinas bluebonnet oil painting; and a 1983 Helen Frankenthaler lithograph that's valued at $15,000. Also: Antique mourning jewelry is discussed.

Part 1 of 3. In Boston, items include a Norman Rockwell collection; an Aldro Hibbard oil painting brought in by Boston mayor Thomas Menino; and a Red Sox World Series baseball signed by the team that's valued at $25,000 to $35,000. Also: a famous and controversial Paul Revere print is examined.

Part 2 of 3 in Boston features a 1950 Selmer alto saxophone, a George Gershwin collection and 1970s Beatles memorabilia that's worth $60,000. Also: A stop at the Boston Public Library highlights sketches from the children's book "Make Way for Ducklings," which inspired Boston's famous duckling sculptures.

Conclusion. In Boston, items include Civil War photos; WWII German POW signs; and a circa-1810 South Carolina musket worth $6000-$8000. Also: Folk art carvings at the historic Sleeper-McCann House in nearby Gloucester are spotlighted.

Part 1 of 3 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., features a Joseph Henry Sharp oil painting that's valued at $400,000. Also: a visit to nearby Brookgreen Gardens highlighting female sculptors of the early 20th century.

Part 2 of 3 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., features an 1860 letter signed by Abraham Lincoln; crystals that were a gift from Marilyn Monroe; and an 1850s South Carolina sword that's valued at $30,000-$40,000. Also: a story about stolen art from the Hobcaw Barony estate in nearby Georgetown.

Part 1 of 3 in Cincinnati features a baseball bat used by Mickey Mantle; art pottery from Cincinnati's Rookwood Pottery; and works by artist and native son Edward Henry Potthast (1857-1927). Also: a visit to Cincinnati's American Sign Museum highlights vintage electric signs.

Part 2 of 3 in Cincinnati features a suit that once belonged to chicken magnate Col. Sanders; a bronze horse sculpture by Solon Borglum; and an 1846 wall map of the western U.S. Also: How endangered rhinos are affected by the antiques trade.

Conclusion. In Cincinnati, items include a trophy from the 1908 Belmont Stakes; an early 20th-century toy horse and buggy; a French advertising poster; and a bust of Abraham Lincoln. Also: the craftsmanship of Cincinnati carved furniture.

Part 1 of 3. In Rapid City, S.D., items include furniture made by Thomas Molesworth; and signed military documents of Elvis Presley. Also: a discussion about presidential prints during a visit to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Part 2 of 3 in Rapid City, S.D. Items include TWA travel posters; a 1932 photo of Mount Rushmore signed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum; and a Rock-Ola juke box. Also: a visit to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.

Conclusion. In Rapid City, S.D., items include a spice chest that dates to the 1760s; two sets of Frank Lloyd Wright blueprints; and a Favrile Fabrique Tiffany desk lamp. Also: a discussion about 19th-century Sioux weapons at Custer State Park.

Part 1 of 3 in Seattle features a Vladimir Kagan desk that was used by Kagan himself; and an 1874 Francis A. Silva oil painting that's valued at $250,000. Also: Jimi Hendrix's fashion style is discussed during a visit to the EMP Museum.

Part 2 of 3 in Seattle features a circa 1964 "Star Trek" script and pitch letter; a Civil War-era dog collar; and Harriet Frishmuth bookends. Also: World's Fair posters are discussed during a visit to the Space Needle.

Conclusion. In Seattle, items include a diamond-and-enamel jewel from the 16th century; a chair made of moose, elk and buffalo hide; a crazy quilt from the 1880s; and a white Steiff clown bear. Also: Northwest Coast Indian masks are discussed at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.

Updating appraisals from a 1998 L.A. visit, including Disney animation art; a 1906 Van Briggle vase; and a Tiffany lamp that was valued at $30,000-$40,000 but is now worth $50,000-$75,000.

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Milwaukee visit. Included: a Tiffany lamp that has increased in value from $8000-$15,000 to $20,000-$30,000.

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Rochester, N.Y., visit. Included: a painting by Frank Zappa; a van Munster violin; and a Minton vase.

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Louisville visit. Items include an 1810 South Carolina slave badge; James Dean's high-school yearbook; and a 19th-century folk-art jug that's increased in value from $30,000-$50,000 to $100,000-$150,000.

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Hartford, Conn., visit. Included: a 1915 Coca-Cola jigsaw puzzle; an Emancipation announcement print; and a Tiffany aquamarine glass vase that has increased in value from $30,000-$40,000 to $90,000-$100,000.

Updating appraisals from a 1998 Richmond visit. Included: 1956 World Series baseballs; a Carnegie autograph album; a diamond and ruby jewelry collection; a Royal Doulton bear; and a Cartier desk clock that has increased in value from $10,000-$15,000 to $25,000-$35,000.

A French Blue John urn that was shot multiple times; a New Orleans chess table that weathered Hurricane Katrina; and hotel stationary signed by three of the four Beatles that survived a fire.

Items found in unlikely places are featured. Included: a formerly buried Weller Coppertone vase that its owner nearly tripped over; a collection of Cole Porter and Monty Woolley letters that were retrieved from a dumpster.