Elyse is one of four people in charge of the "detective bureau" that investigate "the history hidden on America's doorstep" in the PBS Series History Detectives.
Check your local listings, including PBS in HD, for the first 4 seasons of History Detectives.
overseas to see some of the most coveted collectibles at the largest and most famous antique shows and flea markets. In each episode, Elyse, who is joined by two local area experts, gives you the nod on what's hot, what to bargain for, and what to pass on.
Elyse Luray is an appraiser and historian in popular culture. Currently she is one of four host on PBS, "History Detectives". Each week the detectives face new mysteries, intertwining everyday people with the legends of American lore. Mixing forensic evidence with Sherlock Holmes' sharp eye, the History Detectives create entire life stories from a single scrap of evidence, an overlooked piece of the past and help people discover the truth about their objects.
Elyse can also be seen on Rainbow-Media's high definition satellite service, VOOM! On VOOM! Elyse is the host of a show, Treasure Seekers, where she travels all over America to antique shows. During the hour program, she tells viewers what's hot, what to collect and what to pass on by. Elyse recently has appeared on a HGTV's special "The Longest Yard Sale" and is currently an appraiser for the popular show "If Walls Could Talk." Until recently, Elyse could also be seen on Metro TV's Bid New York, where she was the Collectibles Expert and Auctioneer.
Elyse also is a licensed auctioneer and can be seen at the podium selling for many different auction houses including, Zachys Wine Auctions, Bertoia's, Grey Flannel Sports Auctions, Steiner Sports and many others. She spends a lot of her spare time lending her auctioneering skills to charities through out the country to help raise money for many different causes.
Before working as a History Detective, Elyse spent eleven years at Christie's auction house as an auctioneer and a Vice President of the Popular Arts Department. During her tenure at Christie's, Elyse ran the Popular Arts Department and started many new markets including Western Memorabilia and Arms and Armour. While working at the prestigious auction house, Elyse was responsible for achieving many record prices, including $690,000 for Judy Garland's ruby slippers. Other collections she appraised include the archives of Lucas Films, Dreamworks, Chuck Jones' personal collection, Warner Bros and Hanna Barbara. She currently still consultants on an as needed basis to the Collectibles Department.
Elyse was a former appraiser on PBS Antiques Road Show and CBS, The Early Morning Show.
Elyse graduated from Tulane University, where she majored in Art History. She is a certified appraiser and is a New York State licensed auctioneer. For more information go to elyseluray.com.