James P. Johnson Jazz Archive
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APPRAISER:
Do you know anything about James P. Johnson?
GUEST:
No, I don't. Just what I was able to research from a book, several books, that came with this collection. We acquired this, my husband and I, through a storage auction that we attended one day. We were basically bidding on was some badly needed furniture that we were looking for.
APPRAISER:
And you end up with furniture...
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
...and a magnificent collection...
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
...of one of the greatest musical geniuses to ever live.
GUEST:
Yes. Apparently.
APPRAISER:
Can I just tell you a little bit about James P. Johnson?
GUEST:
Yes, please.
APPRAISER:
James P. Johnson is known as the Father of Stride Piano.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
And that comes from a term when they used to play shout piano or rent party piano music to raise money, uh, in Harlem.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
He taught the late Fats Waller.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
He played with Sidney Bechet, with Ethel Waters, with Bessie Smith, with Duke Ellington, and even composed a symphony with Langston Hughes.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
This is a magnificent collection that includes his 1955 obituary, a lovely four-album set of his 78 records, uh, some sheet music, and his very stylish hat right here. Because, as I understand, he was a natty dresser, um, and sheet music that James P. Johnson did himself. He performed with all of the musical giants, but yet his name is still unknown today. Right. It's a crime, because this man is that important.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
Here's his 1921 Conservatory of Music Art diploma from New York and his Victrola.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
Do you have any idea what this could be worth?
GUEST:
I have no idea at all.
APPRAISER:
You have no idea?
GUEST:
No idea. I'm not into jazz music. I have no idea.
APPRAISER:
After I tell you, you're gonna be into jazz music. I have to say this to you. I was about to lose my shoes...
GUEST:
Yes!
APPRAISER:
...when I saw this.
GUEST:
(laughs)
APPRAISER:
There are contracts, there are letters, there's sheet music, there's, you name it.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
This is worth about $12,000 to $15,000.
GUEST:
Oh, my gosh.
APPRAISER:
But I, I have to say that this is what it would be worth on the open market.
GUEST:
On the open market.
APPRAISER:
Because it's Black memorabilia, it's music Americana, and it's just an outstanding story.
GUEST:
It's fantastic.
Appraisal Details
Executive producer Marsha Bemko shares her tips for getting the most out of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW.
Value can change: The value of an item is dependent upon many things, including the condition of the object itself, trends in the market for that kind of object, and the location where the item will be sold. These are just some of the reasons why the answer to the question "What's it worth?" is so often "It depends."
Note the date: Take note of the date the appraisal was recorded. This information appears in the upper left corner of the page, with the label "Appraised On." Values change over time according to market forces, so the current value of the item could be higher, lower, or the same as when our expert first appraised it.
Context is key: Listen carefully. Most of our experts will give appraisal values in context. For example, you'll often hear them say what an item is worth "at auction," or "retail," or "for insurance purposes" (replacement value). Retail prices are different from wholesale prices. Often an auctioneer will talk about what she knows best: the auction market. A shop owner will usually talk about what he knows best: the retail price he'd place on the object in his shop. And though there are no hard and fast rules, an object's auction price can often be half its retail value; yet for other objects, an auction price could be higher than retail. As a rule, however, retail and insurance/replacement values are about the same.
Verbal approximations: The values given by the experts on ANTIQUES ROADSHOW are considered "verbal approximations of value." Technically, an "appraisal" is a legal document, generally for insurance purposes, written by a qualified expert and paid for by the owner of the item. An appraisal usually involves an extensive amount of research to establish authenticity, provenance, composition, method of construction, and other important attributes of a particular object.
Opinion of value: As with all appraisals, the verbal approximations of value given at ROADSHOW events are our experts' opinions formed from their knowledge of antiques and collectibles, market trends, and other factors. Although our valuations are based on research and experience, opinions can, and sometimes do, vary among experts.
Appraiser affiliations: Finally, the affiliation of the appraiser may have changed since the appraisal was recorded. To see current contact information for an appraiser in the ROADSHOW Archive, click on the link below the appraiser's picture. Our Appraiser Index also contains a complete list of active ROADSHOW appraisers and their contact details and biographies.
