Howard Chandler Christy Painting, ca. 1915
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GUEST:
Saw it at an estate sale in New Jersey, and I forced my son to join me, much against his will. And he is a big Yankees fan, and so we walked in, and there was this painting. He was very interested in it because it was Yankee Stadium, and I thought it was a very interesting painting just in and of itself.
APPRAISER:
I agree with both of you. It's very interesting aesthetically, the subject matter is great. You mentioned the artist, Howard Chandler Christy. The painting is an oil on canvas, and it is an early view of baseball. What could be more American than baseball? Howard Chandler Christy, of course, was one of the great American illustrators. He was born in 1872, lived until 1952. Early on, he studied with William Merritt Chase in New York. He was originally from Ohio. He went back to Ohio after studying in New York, but then ultimately came back to New York in 1915. The way that you have the circular roof line may be more consistent with the Polo Grounds than Yankee Stadium. So I think we'll leave that open as to the exact location. What did you pay for it?
GUEST:
I paid about $250.
APPRAISER:
$250, well that's not a lot of money. I think it's a good buy.
GUEST:
I had to consider that carefully.
APPRAISER:
I can understand that. Have you enjoyed it since?
GUEST:
Very much.
APPRAISER:
Well, we think that in today's market, if your Howard Chandler Christy painting was offered at auction, the value is $15,000 to $25,000.
GUEST:
Oh, my God. Oh, my God! Oh, my God, wow. That's amazing. I'm in shock. Wow.
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