BillyD, many people have been told by relatives that pieces that they have inherited are very valuable or priceless. Unfortunately, people today relate that to today's money value and are sadly disappointed. When you look at a piece and determine that time/era that it was made/sold...to buy that item took alot of scrimping and saving $$ to buy - thus it was held dearly. Today, we are such a "instant gratification/disposable society" and pieces can be made cheaper (with cheaper materials) made for the masses...that majority opt for the "cheaper, get-it-now" furniture thus lowering the market values.
Some of my most valued pieces aren't worth a whole lot $$$ but are sentimentally priceless!