Welcome to Mississippi Antique Showcase.

In this episode, we are in Natchez, Mississippi with our expert appraisers to look at your rare finds, family heirlooms and your quirky collectibles.

We'll see what we can learn about these unique treasures, and of course, see what they might be worth.

>> 2,500 to 3000.

>> Wow.

>> Emma, thanks for joining us on The Antique Showcase.

Why don't you tell us a little bit about what you brought today?

>> Um, thank you for having me.

I'm really excited to be here.

This is a, uh, print that my mother purchased.

It's a signed Salvador Dolly, uh, that she purchased, in New Orleans at a PBS auction, uh, about 1970, 1971, around that time.

And that's really all I know about it, other than she paid, uh, I think $250 for it.

And there was a pair to it.

There was a match that was a pear.

This is a fig, it was a pear, but she was not able to afford that at the time.

So.

>> Well, I'm gonna talk a little bit about the artist and then I think Cory can get into-- my twin brother can get into more of the specifics about this, uh, particular work.

So for the audience at home, Salvador Dali, he was probably the most versatile and prolific artist of the 20th century.

And so he was really remembered chiefly for his painting work, but he got into all kinds of things in his career, were sculpture, even filmmaking.

And so he really is a fascinating and interesting artist.

Um, and so Corey, tell them a little bit about this work.

>> So this, as you pointed out, is part of his set.

It was actually 200 of this particular set.

This was about 20 years before his death, which was in 1989.

Um, and he was a, he's a Spanish uh, artist, so it's really interesting to see.

He's, as Jace mentioned, he really took the surrealist approach when, you know, with this actual composition is a lithograph.

But there's two kind of unique things about it.

One, you've got up here, you've got actually an a what we call an etching, and then below it that's depicting, uh, the female is actually watercolor.

So he's blended the two artistic styles and really created a kind of unique, uh, space.

And it's unfortunate 'cause a lot of times the pairs sometimes increases the value of these things.

Um, but you've got actually $250 may be okay.

What do you think it may be worth now?

>> I have no idea.

I just know that it has, it hung above my mother's bed for decades and now it hangs above mine and I've always loved it.

>> Well, that's good to hear.

And you may want to keep it.

There's some of his works that go as much as $23,500, usually in a suite of something, it, because it's one of 200 in this, uh, print, you're not gonna get that type of value.

But I would say on a conservative auction estimate, uh, you look anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 depending on the collector.

And if you had the pair (pear), you probably could double that value.

And thank you so much for bringing this in.

We really appreciate it >> Thank you.

I'm really excited to hear all about it.

'cause I really had no idea.

There's not a whole lot of documentation on it specifically.

>> It's a great piece.

>> Thank you.

>> I have Ms. Norma Gasquet-Williams.

She is also a Natchezian, but also a Natchoosian.

Ms. Williams, you're gonna have to tell me what that is.

>> With a Natchezian, you're born here.

And then the Natchoosian is the people that choose to move to Natchez.

>> Okay >> And so my husband and I chose to retire here.

>> Okay.

Okay.

Well that's great.

That's great.

I'm glad that you chose to retire here because if you didn't, I wouldn't be standing in front of you with this beautiful piece that you have today.

Tell me all about it.

>> This is a piece that's been in my family for three plus generations.

Uh, it's a piece by Antonio Maria Fabratty Uh, and he was an artist, uh, between 1878 and 1936 when he died.

And, uh, he painted in Rome.

He painted in, uh, Spain and various other places.

This is a piece that he painted when he was in Rome.

And we think that, uh, my paternal-- we know that my paternal grandfather purchased it, but we think that he purchased it sometime between 1913 and 1917.

He had a penchant for gambling in Monte Carlo.

So we think that he picked up the painting over there.

So, but, uh, that was my father's father.

And, uh, so it's just been in the family.

>> Yes, ma'am.

Yes, ma'am.

Well, tell me about everything that you learned about it today from the appraisal.

>> Yes.

Uh, Mr. Kennedy, he was wonderful about it.

He had done a lot of research on it and said this one would probably be about $3000 to $4,000, something like that.

>> Wow.

Were you excited to hear that?

>> Yes, indeed.

Sure was.

Yep.

(both laughing) >> So what does that mean for its future?

Are you going to sell or keep?

>> Well, it's got a place of honor in our, uh, in our home, so we're gonna keep it.

>> Okay.

>> And then let the, um, you know, the nieces and nephews argue over who gets it.

>> That's right.

That's right.

That's right.

Ms. Norma, I've had a great time with here with you here today, and congratulations on your painting.

>> Well, thank you so much.

It's been a pleasure, uh, being with you.

And thank y'all for coming to Natchez.

You've, you've been wonderful.

>> Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Norma.

Thank you.

>> Kim and Amy, thank you for bringing this stuff down to Natchez or coming here at least to show it to us.

Now, this is a little different than the stuff I've been looking at all day because we've got silver here and then we've got a portrait here.

So what is it?

What's going on?

Tell me about it.

>> Well, this is, uh, Governor Gerard Chittocque Brandon.

First native-born Governor of Mississippi.

And this is his silver service.

>> So this is the first native- born Governor of Mississippi who was what, the fourth and the sixth governor, correct?

>> Correct.

>> Of the state of Mississippi?

How did he get to be governor twice?

>> Well, uh, he was first lieutenant governor, uh, through two different governors and one passed away and the other resigned.

So he took over governorship for them, but then he was elected governor and then reelected for a second term after that.

>> Amazing.

And what years was that, approximately?

>> 1825 to 1832.

>> Fantastic.

And then this is his silver service, correct?

>> Correct, >> Correct.

>> And then where did you get these items from?

>> Passed down through the family.

>> Passed down through the family?!

>> He is my third great-grandfather.

Great-great-great-grandfather, >> Great-great-great- great grandfather.

>> Close three greats.

>> Three greats.

>> Four greats for me.

Three greats for her.

>> Well, that's confusing.

Alright, so this is fantastic.

This is a great portrait right here.

And this is a daguerreotype, we assume, based on the dates.

Um, and so it's hard to tell because we haven't taken it outta the frame or anything, but this is just a very large format for a daguerreotype, um, especially for a tin type.

And then we can see some shadowing here, um, along the piece of where it looks like he's watching you.

Right?

>> Mm-Hmm >> Mm-Hmm.

So what we're looking at is, um, there's some paint or some highlights that has transferred to the glass from the original image.

Um, and that is kind of what gives it the look of it floating.

Now, what can you tell me specifically about the silver set?

>> Alright, well, the silver set, we know this belonged to Gerard Brandon, the governor.

This piece, we believe belonged to his son who owned Brandon Hall.

And, and it came after, >> What was Brandon Hall?

>> It was an Antebellum home.

>> Right here in Natchez?

>> Here In Natchez.

Yes.

>> Right.

Yeah.

So this one's Wooden Hughes, and then this one's Natchez McPherson, and the tray is silver plate.

Um, it's not coin or silver.

You can see by the, um, rubbing, you know, you can actually see the copper underneath where the silver's coming off of the piece.

So do you have any idea about the values of these items?

>> I have no idea.

I, I would think this doesn't have a whole lot of value compared to... >> To these.

Right.

Well, so what I'll do is I'll start with the actual portrait, and then we can jump into the silver because they're kind of all related.

And there is value in the items because they're fantastic items.

But there's also value in the history here because of the importance of who owned them.

Now his initials are on these, right?

And then of course, his son's initials on this as well.

>> Mm-Hmm.

>> So let's start with the portrait.

As, um, we looked at it and did some research.

We have found similar portraits, you know, in the thousand and up range.

Um, however, this being of historical importance and significance, you know, I think that we're looking at an estimate of $2,500 to $4,500 just for this portrait.

Um, again, because of who he is and the size and the age of it, it's kind of a rare piece of early American photography.

>> Awesome.

>> Moving right along.

So to this set right here, it's just tremendously sparkly still, you know?

It's in great condition.

So I think for the two pieces here together, especially again with the historical significance, that we're looking at an estimate of, uh, $3,000 to $5,000 for the two.

And then for this piece here, again, with the historical significance in the name alone and because of the maker, um, we're looking at an estimate of $1,000 to $2,000 for that.

The tray is gonna have a lot less value, um, number one because it, it was of relation and number two, it's silver plate, you know, and the condition it's in.

But the tray will have an estimated value of somewhere in the $300 to $500 range, and it's that high because of the historical significance.

If it didn't have any names on it at all, it'd be in the $50 range, you know.

>> Okay.

>> But is that what you guys thought?

Did you have any idea?

>> It's a little more, >> A little more?

>> A little more, yeah.

>> I think that realistically on an auction market, again, these items are easy to find without the historical attachment.

>> Mm-Hmm.

>> It's the historical attachment that rises, you know, the value.

Anyway, guys, thank you so much for bringing this stuff down.

Um, and thank you for, you know, allowing us to appraise these items.

The historical significance in doing this in Mississippi is just fantastic.

And we love, especially in Natchez, we've gotten to see so many items related to the state, um, in a very early period.

And that's just been fantastic.

And for that we can't thank you enough for bringing this stuff down.

>> Well, thank you.

>> Thank you.

>> I am with none other than Dr. Roscoe Bonds III.

He's the Visit Natchez cultural heritage tourism manager and also vice president of the Mississippi Historical Society.

He's also an award -winning author, and I am just glad to have him here with us today.

Mr. Roscoe, can I call you Mr. Roscoe?

>> Yes, you may.

>> Mr. Roscoe, thank you so much for joining us today at the Mississippi Antique Showcase.

How are you doing today?

How have you been enjoying here?

>> Well, thank you so much for being here.

I'm excited.

And all the people I talk to are excited about you all being right here in Natchez.

We have local residents who are excited and we have visitors in town.

We love having you here.

Thank you for this opportunity.

>> Now, you know, I work closely with Visit Mississippi on behalf of Next Stop Mississippi, our radio show on MPB Think Radio.

Talk about the, the tourism impact that this event and other events that go on across the state have here on the city of Natchez.

>> Well, the good news is when something exciting is happening in a place like Natchez, the news spreads through word of mouth.

We don't have to rely on advertising.

People hear about it, and when they hear about it, they want to come.

We had the pleasure of helping to promote this, our local newspaper, local media, promoting this and print, online, using digital media.

People heard about it and I'm happy to see that there are coming out.

>> That's awesome.

Now, Dr. Bonds, when it comes down to what it is that you look forward to for the city of Natchez and beyond, when it comes down to tourism, what is that?

>> Well, we first want to have some attractions.

We want to give people a reason to come.

But not just come.

We want to give them a reason to stay for a little while.

Beyond that, we want them to return and bring others with them.

When people hear about events happening here like this, they come and they encourage their family members and friends to come along with them.

They have something to see, something to enjoy.

And something to talk about.

>> Do you remember any antiques maybe at your grandmother's house or your mom's or anybody like that?

>> Back when I was growing up in the Mississippi Delta, Indianola, I remember seeing old cups, silver cups.

And always wondered where did they come from?

How did they get them?

How did they end up in grandma's house?

I never got any answers, but I'm sure if we had a show like this-- >> You would've got it.

>> Exactly.

>> You would've got your answers, you would've got your answers.

Talk about your work with Visit Natchez as the cultural tourism manager there, and what all goes into that?

>> Well, I tell people with my job, I am the proverbial kid in the candy store.

I have the pleasure of researching history.

Working with people who love history, and then I have the pleasure of telling those stories, writing about them, speaking about them.

I also get to serve on various committees, historical committees.

For example, we're working to erect a monument for the colored troops to honor over 8,000 from Natchez.

And I get to serve on that committee, the Natchez Historical Society.

I get to do all of those things.

But for me, there's a lot of fun in just telling the story, the complete history of Natchez.

And that's our goal, is to tell the complete history.

All of those stories that either have not been told or little told.

That's what we're doing.

>> Thank you so much for coming on with us at the Mississippi Antique Showcase today, here today, and all the work that you do with Visit Natchez.

It's amazing.

And just thank you again for joining us.

>> Thank you so much for having me.

>> Thank you.

>> Tell me about what you brought here for us to review.

>> Sure.

Well, it's a watch that my wife bought me for my 50th birthday.

>> You're 50?

>> I'm 52.

>> 32 >> Okay.

Well, there we go.

Exactly, exactly.

>> You look good for 52.

>> Well, I appreciate that.

Uh, no, she, she bought that for me for my 50th birthday.

I'd been looking for a watch and wasn't expecting it.

We went, uh, we went out for my birthday dinner and lo and behold, there it was on the table.

>> Well that was a nice treat.

>> It was a very nice.

Very nice.

I don't, don't know a great deal about it.

I just, uh, I brought it here to learn.

>> Oh, cool.

Awesome.

Well, it is a Swiss watch and it's Le Coultre and-- >> Pronounce that for me.

>> Le Coultre.

>> Okay.

I don't speak French, so I don't... >> It's stamped on the inside with the name of the maker, Swiss maker.

Um, we talked a little before we started filming and um, you mentioned that the band had been replaced.

>> Right.

>> And it's kind of ironic.

This is probably the type band that would've been on it to begin with.

Okay.

Very cool.

>> And I thought there's somewhere on the inside of the band, uh, from you.

>> Right.

>> That was there.

So I thought maybe this was the original, but you corrected me and said, no, it was not.

>> No, that's my daily wearing watch.

So, so that, that's all from me.

>> It, it gets some use.

So I was gonna show the viewers where it's got the wear on the inside, but I was immediately drawn to the fact that it probably was vintage.

And then on further examination, I found that it probably is from the inside.

I also looked for a hallmark to see if it was a solid gold watch, which they did make these, and they still do.

And, um, I could not find a hallmark, but that's not to say that it's not, it may be hallmarked on the inside and I'm not gonna take it apart on camera because my luck would be, I couldn't get it back together.

>> Fair enough.

>> But, um, it is a wonderful watch and it's in really great shape.

And I would estimate that it's probably from the forties or fifties.

Um, there's not a thing wrong with it.

It could use a cleaning on the inside.

If you ever have an issue with the crystal and you want to have it repaired, they would do that at that same time.

But, um, does it keep good time?

>> It keeps good time.

The winding mechanism is a little different.

I think they call it a bump wind.

>> Yeah.

Yeah, Exactly.

I have a Rolex, same thing.

Yeah.

>> Right.

So it, it keeps good time.

If it, if it winds down a little, it'll run a little fast, but otherwise it's always within a minute or so.

>> Well, that's awesome.

Yeah.

Well, um, I asked you about a hallmark and we didn't find one.

And the reason being is that it would have two different values.

Um, if this were a 14K gold watch, it'd probably be in the $5,000, $6,000 range.

And as it is now with no hallmark, I'm guessing it's probably gonna be gold filled on the outside, and that would put it more in the maybe $1,800 to $2,000 range.

And, um, the fact that it's working great condition, you might bump it up a couple hundred dollars more.

In my retail setting, I'd probably put $ 2,500 on it.

>> Really?

Well, thank you so much.

>> So she did good.

I don't know what she paid for it.

She probably didn't tell you 'cause it was birthday.

>> I think it was actually less than that.

>> Oh, was it?

Okay.

>> I think so, yes.

>> Well, I think she did good.

And she's got great taste and, uh, kept you around for a while, didn't it?

>> It did.

Yeah, it did.

>> You have any other questions about it or?

>> I don't, I mean, I, I, I wear it every day.

Uh, I was told not to wear it in the rain.

>> It's, it's not waterproof.

>> It's not waterproof.

No.

So, >> But I've, I've enjoyed it very much and, uh, used it at, I've needed it cleaned once.

We take it to a little watch shop in Memphis, they break it down, clean it, oil it, and put it right back together.

>> A good watchmaker's important because somebody that doesn't know what they're doing could really, uh, destroy it and it very quickly.

So I want to thank you for bringing it in.

Uh, we really appreciate it.

We appreciate you coming to the Mississippi Antique showcase.

>> Well, thank you so much.

I appreciate you guys.

>> You're welcome.

You're welcome.

>> I am with Jim and Miriam Miller and they are from Long Beach, Mississippi.

Hey, Jim and Miriam, how are y'all doing?

>> Good, good.

>> How are you?

>> Good.

I wanna know everything about what you brought today.

I want to know all the details, so let me know.

Go ahead and show me what it is that you have today.

>> Should I take it outta here?

>> Yeah, sure.

Okay.

>> Um, this is a picture of Charlie Watts with a band called The Missing Links back in 1965.

When he was in Chicago at the Erie Crown Theater.

Charlie Watts is part of the Rolling Stones.

So this was the Rolling Stones at Erie Crown Theater in 1965.

>> Right.

>> That's just another one.

Very original and appraiser.

>> Yeah.

Yeah.

Now what was it that you were appraised for?

>> Uh, basically these three in total, we set about $1,100.

>> Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

And are you planning on buying or selling or, or keeping it?

>> Do you wanna buy 'em?

>> No, no, no.

>> I just hang on to 'em.

>> Oh, You're just gonna hang on.

>> Yeah.

>> And when it comes down to the photos, where did you acquire them?

How did you get a hold of them?

>> Garage sale for about $2 each 30 years ago.

>> That's awesome.

That's awesome.

So an $1,100 come up off of $2.

>> Pretty much.

>> Good stuff.

Good stuff.

Well, Jim and Miriam, wish you good luck on your item and congratulations on your appraisal.

>> Thank you.

Thank you.

>> Thank you.

Thank you both.

>> Thank you.

>> Hello again.

Hey, uh, Dwight Stevens.

>> Greg Whittam.

>> Alright.

Greg, would you tell the audience, you've moved, your family moved into the house in 1821.

>> Yes, we did.

>> And the same family >> Has owned it.

Yes.

We >> Ancestors have lived there since 1821.

>> That is correct.

We, uh, I am the sixth generation to own it.

And this is my daughter Laura, who is, who is, she will be the seventh.

And it's been in our family ever since it was built in 1821.

Uh, the name of the house is called Liberty Hall and we're really not sure how it got that name.

Uh, but, um, my mom was born and raised there.

I was born and raised there.

My mom's grandmother was born and raised there.

And so it goes back pretty, pretty, you know, long lineage of, of relatives that have been there.

It's never has changed hands.

>> Right.

And tell us, uh, tell us about this.

>> The, the silver, uh, was an ancestor that had a silver smith shop here in Natchez.

And he created, uh, the silver and, uh, we were able to hang on to, uh, a number of pieces.

And this was just two of the pieces that I thought that might be of interest.

And, uh, it seems like it was.

But he was a silversmith here in Natchez, and he also had a shop here in Natchez, uh, years and years ago that he created his, his, uh, product to be sold.

>> You know, it's, it's almost impossible to put a price on something, uh, with a family like this.

It's been in Natchez, uh, I know all the Natchez silver, uh, when, when I first got that and looked to look at it, you know, I didn't know that it was Natchez silver.

So I, I had to change my mind.

I, I had to go back and, and do a little more research.

But these normally, you know, uh, would bring-- and he had also, he signed this.

It's signed by him >> Yes, it is.

>> Normally we would say this was worth $1,000, but because it's Natchez silver and because of the background and all, I would say this is worth from $2,500 to $3000.

>> Wow.

>> And because we know that you'll never sell it anyway.

>> No, no.

>> But I would insure it for that.

And then I'd love to come out to see your house sometime.

>> Well, we would-- you're more than welcome.

>> Yeah.

Because I, I, I know and met lots of people in Natchez.

>> Anytime we, we used to say there was never a key to the front door, so it always stays open.

>> That's wonderful.

That's wonderful.

And thank you so much for coming by.

>> We certainly appreciate it.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

>> Thank you.

>> You have a good day.

Thank you.

>> Nice to meet you.

>> You too.

>> So, hey Adam, how's it going?

>> Hey, Ron.

Great.

>> Good.

>> Now I know you brought some cool stuff for us today, but you scared me last night when you wouldn't tell me what it was.

>> Well, it's worth waiting for you to know about.

>> And then today he brings it in a bag and wouldn't let me see it until just now.

So what do you have?

>> It's harmless.

It's, um, it's report cards dated 1853, 1857, 1858.

This one I have in my hand that I'd like to read to you.

>> Absolutely.

>> Um, it's my great-great-grandmother's.

It was done in 1853 and being almost that date my age, I need to put my glasses on.

This is to certify that Patty Threewitz has been one of my students, my pupils from October 17th till December 17th.

During this time, she has recited 106 perfect responses and 28 good ones.

Mary Ann Weller was the teacher's name.

Now I was a teacher for 30 years and teaching was my passion.

And so I kind of tried to figure out what would I have given great-great-grandmother.

And I'm thinking with 106 perfect responses and 28 good ones.

I think it's maybe a B+.

What do you think?

>> I don't know.

What is a perfect response?

>> Well, perfect.

I guess.

I don't really know.

I might give her an A- for that one.

>> You would?

Okay.

Well, I think that might be a little fair too.

>> What else did you bring?

>> Well, this is one of the report cards of her brother, 1858 and another one over here.

And the same teacher, Mary Ann Weller signed them.

So I guess they had one teacher for all different age groups.

And this is the house in North Carolina that was their family home where they lived.

>> Who was the better student?

>> I would say Patty would be, >> Patty was the better one?

>> Yeah, I think so.

>> Sounds about right.

>> I've had several Pattys named after this lady in my family.

>> Did they pass down the smarts to you?

>> Oh... yeah.

I'll be modest.

Okay.

>> I love it.

I love it.

>> But anyway, yeah, so it's a really cool thing.

Um, you know, I, I thought this would be interesting 'cause I wondered how many people have ever really seen a report card from 1853.

>> And a family report card.

>> Yeah.

Mm-Hmm.

>> You know, it's amazing.

Just outta curiosity, what would you value something like this?

>> I don't think, I mean, really, I don't think that I could value this.

This is priceless to me because it's, it's my family and it's history of, of my family, and I just enjoy having 'em.

I don't know who would really want to report cards from somebody that they didn't know about.

>> Keep it in the family.

Amazing.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It really is.

I've enjoyed them through the years, so.

>> Cool.

>> Join us next time on Mississippi Antique Showcase and see if you have a hidden treasure in your closet.