GUEST: It is a really cool old trunk that we picked up at an estate sale in Montecito, California. I think we paid, like, $25 for it. We bought it because we saw the little plaques on it, and they say "Hermès" on it. We haven't done a whole lot of research on it. We had it cleaned, but other than that, it's basically how we found it.
APPRAISER: And you're right, it is by Hermès Frères, which is Hermès Paris, between 1902 and 1919. And it's a steamer trunk. People would take it on transatlantic cruises. This side, with all the hangers, would be for your hanging clothes. There's bags on the bottom for your shoes. You have all the drawers here for all your shirts and ties. This is the first Hermès trunk I've ever seen, so it's quite rare. I think it could be cleaned even more. All of these chrome pieces, these will shine up really well. Polish the brass hardware. But I think in this condition, a good retail price for this trunk would probably be between $15,000 and $20,000.
GUEST: Wow.
APPRAISER: And if you cleaned it up, it would probably go closer to $25,000.
GUEST: Wow.
APPRAISER: And I think that's a very good return on your investment.
GUEST: I think so.