Most families have special heirlooms they pass down from generation to generation. Some of them pass down jewelry items while others give photographs and journals to the younger members of the family.
For Rose’s family, it was a special picture.
She received it after her grandmother passed away. Being close to her, Rose felt touched to receive such a precious gift.
It was no ordinary picture.
It depicted the tranquility of some Native Americans working their way down a mountain. Her grandma had kept it close to her for years. She hung it right above her bed. No one in the family thought that the picture could be extra special.
One day, Rose found a mosquito stuck in the picture.
Not wanting to ruin her grandmother’s special gift, she decided to remove the glass. While trying to remove the insect, she was surprised to touch the canvas.
Her grandmother’s gift was actually a painting.
In the interview, she told Meredith Hilferty, a master appraiser:
“I took it out to the front yard and I opened it up to get the mosquito out, so I could take it with me to college, and then it kind of scared me a little. I closed it back up immediately because it looked like it might be real.”
General house appraisals told her that the painting was worth around $250.
She got it checked twice and received the same news both times. Feeling that there could be something else with the painting, she went researching about the painter. She didn’t know a lot about H.F. Farney.
All she knew about the man was that he was a French-born artist who decided to move to Pennsylvania when he was just a small kid.
There, he developed a special friendship with the Native Americans living in the area. Eventually, he was adopted into the Sioux tribe. He was given the name “Long Boots”. As he lived with his new tribe, he went painting their everyday lives.
Farney’s works were unique.
Unlike most artists during his time, his work depicted peaceful scenes. Plus, they showed real-life events.
Rose decided to ask for professional help.
She had a chance to sit with Meredith on Antiques Roadshow, who’s a highly valued professional appraiser. She specializes in sculptures, metalwork, paintings, and drawings. With her expertise and knowledge, she was able to help Rose understand the true value of her grandma’s cherished painting.
Meredith confirmed most of what Rose discovered with her research.
She also confirmed that the painting was an authentic one. It was definitely an original and not just a copy.
Although Rose tried hard to contain her excitement, she never would have expected what Meredith said next.
The specialist revealed:
“So if we were going to put this in an auction today, I would suggest an estimate of $200,000-$300,000.”
A flood of emotions ran through Rose.
She never expected the painting to be that expensive. All she did was take a bug out and she received this wonderful but shocking news.
Rose had a different concern.
While trying to wipe away her tears, she chuckled and asked if she can’t hang the painting up. Even though it’s expensive and super valuable, it’s still her grandma’s most loved painting. She was probably wondering if she can continue honoring the old lady by putting her painting up in her room.
With her question, most people who’ve seen her interview found her to be a really nice person. One of them said:
“a genuinely humble, naturally honest and unassuming reaction to being told the monetary value of the painting. instead of some kind of greed, she actually displays a sense of loss because now she cannot simply just enjoy the painting without being confronted or burdened by how much money it is worth… having to always be concerned that someone could steal it or something like her dog could harm it. an unpretentious heart.”
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