GUEST: They were in my husband's family. They are original watercolor costume designs.
APPRAISER: Uh-huh. These wonderful costume designs are from the 19th century, by a French artist, Jules Maré. And they were created for the famous, or infamous, early society the Cowbellion de Rakin Society.
GUEST: Yes.
APPRAISER: Let's take a look at the back. Here's the reference number we have for the costume.
GUEST: Uh-huh.
APPRAISER: And sizes for the various people...
GUEST: Costume measurements, yes. Uh-huh.
APPRAISER: Costume measurements for who would be wearing the pieces.
GUEST: Yes.
APPRAISER: And this nice statement discussing the artist and also the Cowbellion group. They got their name in 1830 from raiding hardware stores and waking people up with cowbells and rakes and hoes.
GUEST: Exactly.
APPRAISER: Costume designs are a very, very specific market. They're in generally good condition, but you do have some foxing and staining. Without the background, without the Mardi Gras connection, I'd probably value them between $300 and $500 apiece.
GUEST: Uh-huh.
APPRAISER: With the connection, however, I would estimate the collection at auction between $4,000 and $6,000.
GUEST: Wow.
APPRAISER: Yes.
GUEST (chuckles): That's terrific.