Chesapeake Collectibles taping event registration closes September 22

OWINGS MILLS, MD – Maryland Public Television (MPT) is in the final days of finding collectors who want to share stories about their prized possessions at the two-day taping event for its popular series Chesapeake Collectibles. The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5, at the statewide public TV network’s Owings Mills studios.

The recording of segments during the event, featuring appraisers and collectors discussing their treasured items, will provide MPT producers with the content needed to develop 13 episodes for the series’ 13th season, which will premiere in June 2026.

Paid registration is required to attend. The cost is $135 and includes verbal evaluations of up to three items by a team of experienced appraisers and a chance to be selected to appear on the show. It also includes a one-year membership to MPT. Registration information and attendance details are available at chesapeakecollectibles.com. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated because of occupancy limits.

Hundreds of collectors from across the Chesapeake region have already registered to attend the event. Several taping slots on Saturday, October 4, are sold out, and several others are near capacity.

“Whether someone collects Chinese porcelain, fine art, sports memorabilia, or vintage vinyl, we want to give everyone an opportunity to possibly share the stories of their treasures with our viewers,” said Patrick Keegan, Chesapeake Collectibles series executive producer.

Among the high-value items featured during the past season of Chesapeake Collectibles are a ceremonial sword presented for heroism during the War of 1812, valued at $250,000; a hand-annotated speech by President John F. Kennedy, valued at $125,000; a set of Revolutionary War-era medical field manuals, valued at $50,000; rare first editions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, valued at $40,000; and original copies of telegrams sent by Teddy Roosevelt, also valued at $40,000.

Other season 12 highlights are a hand-annotated Lawrence of Arabia movie script, a sketch of the Baltimore skyline by legendary singer Tony Bennett, a letter from Fort McHenry’s commander requesting the very flag that would inspire The Star-Spangled Banner, and a pair of exquisitely crafted silver seahorses by renowned Baltimore jeweler Carl Schon.

Past episodes of Chesapeake Collectibles can be viewed online at video.mpt.tv/show/chesapeake-collectibles/, pbs.org/show/chesapeake-collectibles/, and on the free PBS app.

The MPT website features the Talkin’ Collectibles blog, an insider’s look at the series found at mpt.org/blogs/chesapeake-collectibles/.

Major funding for season 13 of Chesapeake Collectibles is provided by Alex Cooper Auctioneers and Second Story Books.