GUEST: The smaller picture here is a picture of my Aunt Bertha, who owned the painting.

And I inherited it when she passed away.

And she knew the artist-- he was from another town, but he ended up in, in Reno, where my aunt and uncle lived.

And I'm not sure exactly where the picture was taken, but it looks like it was probably a studio.

APPRAISER: And do you know what she might have paid for the painting?

GUEST: I don't have any idea.

She and her husband, Arthur, were close friends of the artist, so he may have given it to them.

APPRAISER: The painting is by Benjamin Cunningham.

It is oil on board.

It's signed and dated lower right, 1941.

And looking at the painting stylistically, we know it's gonna be before 1942-'43, 'cause at that point, all the work becomes very abstract.

GUEST: Uh-huh.

APPRAISER: He doesn't really do figural work anymore.

On the back, there's a label that says "1941," as well, and the title, "Musicians Number Three.

And there's a fun label from an exhibition in San Francisco in 1942.

I find it interesting that she met him in Reno.

He's from Colorado, but he did end up in Reno...

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: ...where he studied architecture before going on to San Francisco and really pursuing art.

And I have to say, as a native San Franciscan, I know him because of his connection to the WPA work that he did on murals.

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: And in particular, he's one of the artists who worked in the Coit Tower.

Cunningham is a very well-known artist, and his work is in lots of famous museums.

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: The Guggenheim, MoMA.

But the values have not really been in alignment, I think, with what you might imagine for someone who is famous.

An insurance replacement value in today's market would be $12,000.

GUEST: Oh, okay.

All right, well, that's helpful.

(chuckles) I, I don't have it insured yet.

(chuckles): With my house owner's insurance.

APPRAISER: They don't usually cover art.

GUEST: No.

APPRAISER: Unless it's itemized.

GUEST: Yeah.

APPRAISER: Uh, over $5,000 is a general rule of thumb.

But you gotta talk to your agent.

(chuckles) GUEST: Uh-huh.