Georgetown Area Folk Art Map, ca. 1950
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GUEST:
I bought it at a little antique shop in Hamilton, Virginia. We used to live out in Loudoun County, in Round Hill. I purchased it for $500 about three years ago.
APPRAISER:
Mm. Why did you buy it?
GUEST:
I just bought it because I really liked it. I liked the colors, I, I thought it was interesting, and...
APPRAISER:
Uh-huh.
GUEST:
I just, I liked the fact that it was Georgetown and, um, you know, we lived near Georgetown, so...
APPRAISER:
I see. Well, it's oil paint on plywood. I think it's a very interesting, wonderful map. Uh, I relate to it because I was born in this area.
GUEST:
Oh, really?
APPRAISER:
I was born at, at Washington Circle. It does indeed show a lot about Georgetown and Georgetown history, starting with Roosevelt Island. It's called Roosevelt Island because Roosevelt was a conservationist and they were conserving this island. But from anybody in Georgetown, what makes your heart beat is this little vignette here, showing the very early view of Georgetown when it was the biggest port on the Potomac River. Now, it's interesting what they decide to show, because of the historical interest of such a map. The Oak Hill Cemetery Gatehouse is still there. And, of course, the major streets-- 27th, 28th, 29th Street are shown. Now, another great and wonderful historic site that is still in Washington is the Dumbarton Oaks House, which is now part of Harvard University. There's a museum and a library there.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
The United Nations were planned there. Here's another view of Georgetown here. And then, of course, coming through here with this beautiful old antique-looking compass rose, but then look at this beautiful view of Georgetown University.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
You know, it's just absolutely charming. Here's the entrance to Georgetown University. There is indeed a circle there. And on down to the river and Key Bridge. Francis Scott Key Bridge. I think that at an antique show, even with the, the flaws in it...
GUEST:
Uh-huh.
APPRAISER:
...because this is essentially folk art, we, we don't have to document that much. It's just exuberant. And if it's in too good a condition, I find folk art collectors are suspicious.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
(laughs) So, there are some nice chips and bumps and things like that. And I would, I would offer it at $4,000.
GUEST:
Okay. Great! Well, thank you.
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