Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest in disbelief after hearing the real value of artwork she bought for $150 (marketrealist.com)
A lucky “Antiques Roadshow” guest got a pleasant surprise when she brought in a quirky piece of cowboy folk art. Purchased by her mother for a mere $150 in Dodge City, Kansas, the piece, titled “The Cowboy and the Lady,” was destined to adorn the guest’s Southern Colorado ranch. Little did she know, the artwork held a secret history.
Appraiser Leigh Keno revealed the artwork’s connection to the 1938 romantic comedy of the same name, starring Gary Cooper and Merle Oberon. He explained the film’s plot, in which a bored socialite pretends to be a maid and falls for a humble cowboy, leading to a comedic predicament when she must reveal her true identity to her disapproving father. The film’s popularity even inspired a 1981 John Denver song.
Keno pointed out the folk art’s construction, noting it was likely crafted from plywood with a table saw, possibly in someone’s basement. He and the guest shared a laugh as he mimicked the cowboy’s stance.
Despite some wear and tear, Keno appraised the piece at $1,800, much to the guest’s astonishment. She expressed her delight at the unexpected value, calling it a “great story” and a piece she’ll cherish.