Unbelievable' Paintings! Rare Masterpieces FOUND on Antiques Roadshow! - YouTube

Well, we believe this is Aaron Delano, and he would be my fifth great-granduncle. We believe through both research and word of mouth that he was the youngest sea captain in the New England area. He was born in 1767, and unfortunately he passed away, lost at sea, in 1794. Over the years, we have decided as a family that he's probably haunted. I would swear that I could hear him open and close the front door, walk up the stairs, and… This oil portrait depicts a young American sea captain named Aaron Delano, painted in the late 18th century. The scene shows him standing confidently, holding an octant, an early navigational instrument, while a nautical map rests beside him, emphasizing his identity as a working seafarer rather than a romanticized figure. Aaron was born in 1767 and tragically lost at sea in 1794, yet this portrait preserves both his likeness and his legacy. The painting is oil on canvas, and despite minor paint loss in some areas, the face and instruments remain remarkably intact. Such portraits were created by itinerant American folk artists who traveled from town to town, documenting local merchants, farmers, and captains. The artist of this work remains unknown, but collectors highly value these detailed depictions for their combination of realism, symbolism, and historical context. Today, paintings like this are especially prized by enthusiasts of early Americana and folk art, offering a rare glimpse into maritime life and personal family history. And so, after much conversation at the folk art table, we feel like at an auction, in as-is condition, its value would be $8,000 to $10,000. Cake. That's good. That's exciting. This is a painting that I was given when my grandmother passed away. It always hung right above her bed. Her dad, I'm guessing, would have given it to her after she spent the summer at a dude ranch when she was 19, in like the 40s. Not sure if it's a print or a painting, but when I got it, there was a mosquito underneath the glass, so I took it out to the front yard and I opened it up to get the mosquito out so I could take it with me to college. And then it kind of scared me a little. I closed it back up immediately because it looked like it might be real. This painting is by Henri-Francois Farny, an American artist born in France who moved to Pennsylvania at the age of six. Farny developed a deep fascination with Native American culture, spending time with the Sioux and being adopted into the tribe, where he received the name Long Boots, which is represented by a small cipher beneath his signature. Painted during his most prolific period around 1890, this work captures a dense group of Native American figures in a serene, tranquil setting, emphasizing their natural environment rather than conflict or violence. Farny's attention to detail and careful composition make his work highly desirable to collectors of American Western art. The painting reflects both his technical skill and respect for the culture he depicted, with a richness and harmony that distinguish it from contemporaries who often focused on dramatic or combative scenes. Today, such paintings are sought after for their historical significance, visual storytelling, and the unique perspective Farny brought to the American West. This piece is really interesting because it's a dense group of figures, which is very desirable in his work. So if we were going to put this in an auction today, I would suggest an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. I inherited this painting from my parents. My mother wanted to give my father a gift that he would really love, and he loved reading to his children books that had illustrations. And this is one of the illustrations. She knew how much he would love to get one of those, so she decided that she needed to make this a secret. So what she did was she saved $5 from her food money every week for probably two years. This painting is oil on canvas and was created in 1923 as an illustration for the novel Privateers of 76 by author Ralph D. Payne. The scene depicts dramatic maritime action, featuring a clipper ship and a galleon, capturing the spirit of early American naval history. The artist is Frank Schoonover, one of the leading figures of the Brandywine School, who studied under Howard Pyle, often considered the father of American illustration. Schoonover was known for his dedication to realism, traveling extensively to study landscapes and environments firsthand, including time spent in Mississippi bayous and Pennsylvania's Pocono region. Although Schoonover illustrated scenes of adventure and history, his focus was always on authenticity rather than fantasy. His illustrations appeared in classic adventure books and major magazines, making his work widely recognized across the United States. Today, original illustrations like this are highly sought after, representing a golden age of American storytelling through art. If this were in a gallery, I think that it would sell in the range of $125,000. I know you're kidding me. I'm not kidding you. So what can you tell me about this lovely Frederick Remington portrait? Well, Lee Febreger was my great grandfather. That is this gentleman. And he was a friend of Frederick Remington, who in 1896 painted his portrait as part of a military series in El Paso. And he was captain in the infantry. This portrait was painted in 1896 by Frederick Remington, one of the most important American Western artists of the late 19th century. The sitter is Lee Febreger, a captain in the infantry and a personal friend of Remington, which gives this work an unusually intimate quality. Unlike many formal military portraits, this painting emphasizes vitality and presence through confident posture, dramatic lighting, and a sweeping, abstracted landscape behind the figure. Remington was largely self-taught, relying on instinct and direct observation rather than academic training, which contributed to the energy and immediacy seen in his work. Adding exceptional importance to this portrait is a personal letter written by Remington to the sitter, expressing how much he enjoyed their time together. After Remington's death, the painting remained in his home before eventually being reclaimed by the sitter's family, making this a rare example of a historically documented and personally significant Remington portrait. And this piece together with the letter would be something that I would value at auction between $600,000. Oh my goodness. And $800,000. I was hoping I would be wildly exuberant. I am. And certainly for insurance, in excess of $800,000. My goodness. This watercolor was created by Lois Maylou Jones, an influential American artist born in 1905. Her career unfolded during a time when racial and gender barriers defined who could be seen, credited, and celebrated in the art world. As an African-American woman, Jones was often forced to submit her work anonymously in order to be exhibited at all. Paris became a turning point in her life. When she first traveled there, she experienced artistic freedom without racial limitations, something that deeply influenced her style and confidence as an artist. Her use of bold color, strong composition, and expressive design became a signature of her work. This painting, titled Quartier Saint-Hilaire, was completed in 1947 and later chosen by Jones herself as a wedding gift for her great-nephew. Signed prominently with her name, it represents not only her artistic skill, but her determination to be seen and acknowledged. Today, her work stands as an important chapter in American art history. I would say this painting is probably worth around $25,000 retail. So I would insure it for that amount if I were you. I think that she thought enough of it to select it as a wedding present for you. I think it's really kind of a nice additional point to it, so that's where I would place it. Thank you.