GUEST: I brought in three paintings, watercolors, by Faith Ringgold.

I... (chuckles) was working in a nursing home in New York City, and they were having a flea market.

I had been looking for a red painting.

The one closest to you was leaning against the table leg at the flea market.

APPRAISER: Okay.

GUEST: And I said, "Got to have it."

On the other end of the table was the smaller red painting.

APPRAISER: Ah.

GUEST: And I said, "I'll take that one, too."

APPRAISER: You hit the red painting jackpot.

GUEST: (laughs): I did!

As I was standing at the table, another colleague came and said, "I have a third painting by the same artist in my office, but the only thing is that the glass is broken.

Do you want it?"

And I said, "Sure."

For the one closest to you, I paid five dollars.

And the one in the center, I paid two dollars, and of course, this one, because it was just brought to me, I paid nothing for it.

All three are in the original frame.

APPRAISER: Okay.

How long ago was it that you bought these?

GUEST: I bought these in about the late 1990s, 1997.

APPRAISER: I was wondering if you wouldn't mind reading, just pick one of these paintings...

GUEST: Okay.

APPRAISER: ...and read the poem for us.

GUEST: Okay, sure.

This one closest to me, says, "From your evening colored woman, I am blood red, evergreen, midnight blue, black in love with you, man."

APPRAISER: These are all watercolor paintings...

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: ...by Faith Ringgold, born in 1930, and she died just this year, which is 2024.

GUEST: Yeah.

APPRAISER: In April of this year.

GUEST: Two months ago, yeah.

APPRAISER: She was 93 years old at the time of her death.

GUEST: Yes, yes.

APPRAISER: And she's mostly known for her textile works, but she did quite a big body of work on paper, too.

And she actually dated them.

This one is May 1973 and puts "NYC," New York City.

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: The same thing here.

GUEST: Correct, yes.

APPRAISER: May 1973, New York City.

And the same here-- here is her painting by Faith Ringgold, and it says, "Words by Michele Wallace."

GUEST: Her daughter.

APPRAISER: It says the same thing on all three.

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: And then, at the same time, it's also signed in pencil down here.

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: It's titled Love Poem 1, and then it says, "New York City, May 1973.

Faith Ringgold."

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: They both have the title, Love Poem 2 No.

3.

This says, "Love Poem 2," uh, number three.

But also, notice that the poem is exactly the same.

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: This series is part of the Political Landscape Love Poem series.

GUEST: Yeah.

APPRAISER: All three together...

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: ...would be worth $70,000-- insurance.

GUEST: Oh, my.

APPRAISER: So, if I were to a-- I would tell you to insure these.

I would tell you to insure them for $70,000.

GUEST: Oh, my.

Oh, my.

APPRAISER: It's a huge...

GUEST: (laughs) APPRAISER: ...difference from what you paid, seven dollars to $70,000.

GUEST: Yeah, oh, my goodness.

APPRAISER: And congratulations, what a find.

GUEST: Thank you!

I can't believe it.

I never would expect that.

No-- I'm in shock.

(both laughing) I'm in shock!

APPRAISER: Excellent.

GUEST: I figured, maybe, every, you know, $3,000 to $5,000, but, no.

APPRAISER: Oh no, these are totally awesome.