APPRAISER: Most of what we see in North Dakota School of Mines is $300, $400, $500, sometimes $1,000. As you said, you paid almost $1,000 for this one three years ago. This is the Indigo mark, which they started using in 1910 and used into the '60s, for as long as they were producing pottery. Artist's signature on the side. It's a student. I don't recognize her name.
GUEST: When I was talking to the fellow I bought it from, he showed me that little bulge on there, and when I questioned that, I said, "Does it affect the value of it?"
APPRAISER: Very often, when you see a bulge like that on the top, it is because it has been repaired and poorly so. In this case, there is no restoration. That's a manufacturing flaw. A manufacturing flaw such as this one, where you hardly even notice it, is going to have, like, zero impact on value.
GUEST: Okay, good.
APPRAISER: Arts and Crafts collectors are a rabid type. And North Dakota School of Mines collectors are very enthusiastic, as well. That's why I feel this piece at auction would bring somewhere between $8,000 and $12,000.
GUEST: Hot dog.
APPRAISER: Yeah.
