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.
