Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest covers her mouth in disbelief after mom’s $200 painting gets appraised (marketrealist.com)
A lucky guest on “Antiques Roadshow” was stunned to discover her mother’s $200 painting is now worth a staggering five-figure sum. The 1955 pin-up painting by Earl Moran, purchased at an estate sale, had been a beloved piece in the guest’s family for years.
After persistent requests, the guest finally inherited the artwork from her mother. Little did she know, it was a valuable piece of art history.
The guest recounted the painting’s journey to “Antiques Roadshow” expert Colleene Fesko, sharing her childhood fascination with the piece and the eventual transfer of ownership from her mother. “As much as I can remember, it spent ten to 15 years at my mom’s house,” the guest explained.
“She bought it at an estate sale, and she paid about $200 for it. And I’ve been begging her for this picture ever since I’ve seen it.”
The guest expressed her delight at finally having the painting, which she proudly displayed on a pink wall in her home, perfectly matching the pink car depicted in the artwork.
Fesko provided insightful context about the artist, Earl Moran, who began his career illustrating shoes before achieving fame and fortune with his mid-century pin-up calendar art in Los Angeles. The painting, featuring a young woman in a green bathing suit, a classic car, boats, a dog, and Moran’s signature, is a prime example of his work.
Before the big reveal, Fesko inquired whether the guest had ever had the painting appraised. “No, I have no idea, honestly,” she admitted. “I just painted a wall in my house the pink on the car, and it looks excellent in my house, so as to the value, no, I’ve never.”
Fesko explained that the value of Moran’s paintings fluctuates, jokingly noting, “the more clothes that slide off the pin-up girl, the more valuable they tend to be.” She then estimated the painting’s auction value to be between $20,000 and $30,000.
The guest’s reaction was priceless, covering her mouth in disbelief and exclaiming, “Is my mom going to see this? Because I’m not giving it back!”
Relieved that her mother wouldn’t find out about the windfall (at least not immediately!), she expressed her continued admiration for the painting, remarking, “Oh, my goodness. And she looks good on my pink wall!”