1837 Mardi Gras Costume Designs

Appraised on: July 8, 2006

Appraised in: Mobile, Alabama

Appraised by: Colleene Fesko

Category: Paintings & Drawings

Episode Info: Mobile, Hour 3 (#1112)

Originally Aired: April 9, 2007

IMAGE: 1 of 3  

Appraisal Video: (1:48)

GUEST: They were in my husband's family, and they are original watercolor costume designs from an artist called Jules Maré. And they were from 1837. And we've just... we've had them around for years. I've had these two framed ones hanging in my family room for many years. These wonderful costume designs are from the early 19th century, by a French artist, Jules Maré, and they were created for the famous-- or infamous-- early society, the Cowbellion de Rakin Society.

APPRAISER: Cowbellion de Rakin. Cowbellion de Rakin Society. Let's take a look at the back, where we have lots of interesting information. Here's the reference number we have for the costume. And sizes for the various... Costume measurements, yes. Costume measurements for who would be wearing the pieces. And this nice statement discussing the artist, and also the Cowbellion group. I was interested to see that they got their name in 1830 from raiding hardware stores and waking people up with cowbells and rakes and hoes. Exactly-- not terribly elaborate, but fun. In terms of the values of these pieces, costume designs are a very, very specific market. And they're in generally good condition, but you do have some foxing and staining. Without the story, without the background, without the Mardi Gras connection, I'd probably value them between $300 and $500 apiece.

GUEST: Uh-huh.

APPRAISER: With the connection, however, I would estimate the collection at auction between $4,000 and $6,000.

GUEST: Wow!

APPRAISER: Yes.

GUEST: That's terrific.