1949 Mahonri Young Pencil Portrait
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GUEST:
I brought in a sketch of my mother-in-law. Her grandfather was a prominent man in Salt Lake and was later the mayor of Salt Lake. Ran around or had a good group of friends, and one of them was Mahonri Young.
APPRAISER:
Mahonri Mackintosh Young, who's here.
GUEST:
Yeah. And so they were good friends, and this is a sketch he did of her because of that association.
APPRAISER:
And what does the sketch say?
GUEST:
"To Jane, from Uncle Hon. November 25, 1949." And his signature.
APPRAISER:
Mm-hmm.
GUEST:
That's what I know about it.
APPRAISER:
Mm-hmm.
GUEST:
It was... obviously she held onto it, and then when she passed away a few years ago, my husband's family was dividing up the stuff and this was something my husband particularly wanted just for sentimental reasons.
APPRAISER:
Sure.
GUEST:
And family history.
APPRAISER:
Sure. Absolutely.
GUEST:
So that's how we have it.
APPRAISER:
Great. Well, it's a great piece, it's a great memento. And of course the artist, who is primarily thought of as a sculptor, is Mahonri Mackintosh Young, who was born in 1877, died in 1957. He was also, though, a draftsman. He was somebody who is perhaps best known because of his affiliation with his --familial affiliation-- with his grandfather. His grandfather was?
GUEST:
Brigham Young.
APPRAISER:
Brigham Young.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
Indeed, Brigham Young. Brigham Young died very soon after Mahonri's birth. Mahonri was known not only as a sculptor of laborers, of boxers... In fact, one of his boxing sculptures sold recently at auction for over $80,000. But he also was somebody who did monuments. And in particular, what's the monument here that we're seeing?
GUEST:
So this was taken the day that, um, I believe, they were unveiling or opening the This Is The Place state, um, monument at This Is The Place State Park that he had done the sculpture work for.
APPRAISER:
And he began the This Is The Place monument when he was 62 years old. So it took him quite a while.
GUEST:
Wow. Yeah.
APPRAISER:
So he's really somebody who is best known as a sculptor, but this is such a touching note because of the personal nature of the dedication. Clearly signed, clearly dated, it's a pencil on paper. It's in fine condition, got a little bit of wrinkling in through here. And a teeny tiny spot of discoloration there, but nothing to worry about. Any idea what this might be worth?
GUEST:
No idea whatsoever.
APPRAISER:
Well, it's a great piece that has sentimental value, but it's something that if it were to be insured today, I would insure it probably for around $1,200.
GUEST:
Hmm, wow. Okay.
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