Man Brought to Tears After Learning the Shocking Value of His Old Blanket on Antiques Roadshow

One of the most unforgettable moments in Antiques Roadshow history happened when a man burst into tears after learning the true value of an old blanket he brought to the show.

The story took place in Tucson, Arizona, where a man named Ted Kuntz brought what looked like an ordinary blanket to be evaluated by antiques expert Donald Ellis.

Ted admitted that he didn’t know much about the blanket’s history. All he knew was that it had been a gift from Kit Carson, a famous fur trapper and explorer from the 19th century.

Kit Carson had given it to the foster father of Ted’s grandmother. Other than that, Ted didn’t think it was anything special.

Donald asked Ted if he had any idea where the blanket came from or what type it might be. Ted guessed that it might be Navajo and maybe belonged to a chief, but he didn’t know for sure. He shrugged, saying he’d never had anyone examine it before.

When Donald took a closer look, he became visibly excited. He even told Ted, “Did you notice I stopped breathing when I saw this? I’m still having trouble breathing!” Donald explained that the blanket wasn’t just any blanket—it was an incredibly rare Ute chief’s blanket, one of the first of its kind, made between 1840 and 1860.

Donald shared more details about the blanket, saying its simple design came from the early days of Navajo weaving. It was made with hand-woven wool and valuable indigo dyes.

The craftsmanship was so impressive that the fabric felt as smooth as silk and even repelled water. Donald also pointed out a small patch where the blanket had been repaired with a material called raveled bayetta, which was rare and added even more value to the item.

Donald couldn’t contain his excitement. He told Ted that the blanket was in incredible condition and called it a “national treasure.” Then came the big moment: Donald revealed the blanket’s estimated value. He said it was worth at least $350,000 on a bad day, but it could go up to $500,000!

Ted was completely shocked. He could hardly speak, choking back tears as he explained that he had no idea the blanket was worth so much.

He said it had been lying around the house, draped over the back of a chair like it was nothing special. Donald added that if they could confirm the connection to Kit Carson, the value could increase by another 20%.

In 2016, experts re-evaluated the blanket, and its value was estimated to be between $750,000 and $1 million. This emotional moment became one of the most iconic scenes on Antiques Roadshow. Fans loved the story, and PBS even called it one of the most valuable items ever featured on the show.

Ted later shared that he sold the blanket to an anonymous buyer who donated it to The Detroit Institute of Arts. The sale allowed Ted to live a more comfortable life in his retirement.

Reflecting on the moment, Ted said he was amazed and overwhelmed, especially because his family had been poor farmers who never had much wealth. The blanket, which had been taken for granted for so many years, turned out to be a priceless treasure.