The PBS reality program Antiques Roadshow often unearths fascinating trinkets with significant value for their rarity or place in history. Occasionally, it reveals iconic pieces of television culture. Such was the case when a lucky participant discovered none other than Archie Bunker’s classic coat from All in the Family.
This visually iconic piece of sitcom history came with a hefty price tag – and a significant price hike. Originally, the coat had not been worth much. However, due to its storied past, it is now valued in the five digits. Learn more about this remarkable discovery, straight from the estate of Carroll O’Connor.
Appraiser Timothy Gordon participated in a 2016 episode of Antiques Roadshow set in Palm Springs, Florida. The objects of interest, however, came from a woman who had attended an estate sale in Malibu, California. There, she procured the famous yellow plaid coat worn by Archie Bunker in numerous episodes of All in the Family.
The coat came from the estate of none other than the late Carroll O’Connor. At the time of the purchase, the woman was unaware of its significance. Another estate sale guest informed her that the property had belonged to O’Connor, who passed away in 2001. His wife Nancy died in 2014, and the sale occurred after both had passed away.
Recalling the moment, the woman said, “I went in the house, I went upstairs, and the master bedroom closet was filled with men’s clothes. It was actually his daughter-in-law that was having the sale.” Thinking of her father, the woman spotted the coat, which still bore Archie’s American flag pin on the lapel. She bought it for $40, intending to give it to her dad.
The coat was in “fabulous” condition when appraiser Timothy Gordon examined it. He noted its excellent condition, its place in TV history, and confirmed its authenticity. At auction, the coat fetched a price of $15,000 – a 350x markup from its original purchase price. For its new owner, the coat is a cherished keepsake, reminding her of “a time when my whole family was together, laughing and having a good time.”
Antiques Roadshow once again demonstrated its ability to transform everyday finds into extraordinary treasures, unveiling a piece of television history that continues to resonate with fans of All in the Family.
