Gilbert Gaul Painting, ca. 1880
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APPRAISER:
When you pulled this painting out with this frame, I didn't know what to expect, because this is one of the ugliest frames I have ever seen.
GUEST:
I know. (laughing)
APPRAISER:
But inside it is a really spectacular painting. So what can you tell me about it?
GUEST:
Well, it was given to my husband in the 1960s from his grandmother, and she received it early on from a good friend of hers who was the eldest daughter of the painter.
APPRAISER:
Mm-hmm.
GUEST:
And the painter, all I know is, his last name is Gaul, and he served in the Union Army in the Civil War, and he was, like, a drummer boy, so that probably meant he was about ten or 12, something like that, when he was in the Army, and he painted these paintings.
APPRAISER:
And it's the single painting that you have?
GUEST:
No, I have seven.
APPRAISER:
Seven of them.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
And were they all framed in these beautiful frames when you got them?
GUEST:
Well, actually, when we got them, they were all just rolled-up canvas.
APPRAISER:
Oh, my goodness.
GUEST:
And then my husband has since collected these frames from different garage sales, and in some cases, painted them, as in this case, and framed them. And they're all different. Some are actually better than others.
APPRAISER:
Well, the painting is by a wonderful American artist named Gilbert Gaul. And Gaul was born in 1855 in New Jersey.
GUEST:
Oh!
APPRAISER:
But what he's best known for are his wonderful Civil War scenes. He went on later in his career to paint scenes in the West, American Indians.
GUEST:
Oh!
APPRAISER:
But probably his most-valued pieces are these really spectacular and sensitive and really quite moving scenes of the Civil War. And he painted these after the Civil War. He was also an illustrator. His illustrations were in "Harper's Magazine." Very well-known artist.
GUEST:
Oh, really?
APPRAISER:
Yes.
GUEST:
I didn't know that.
APPRAISER:
Very good artist, and this is, I think, a wonderful example of his work. From the quality of this painting, I would be estimating it probably between $15,000 and $25,000.
GUEST:
For the one painting?
APPRAISER:
For the one painting. Not including the frame, of course.
GUEST:
I can't believe that! For the one painting?
APPRAISER:
For the one painting.
GUEST:
Oh, my God. (laughs)
GUEST:
I'm rich! That's unbelievable. That is unbelievable!
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