GUEST:

I got it from Frank Zappa and his family. They were moving, and they were going to just get rid of it, and I said, "May I have it?"

APPRAISER:

It's a beautiful piece of strange art. And you said that you had double dated with Frank.

GUEST:

A few.

APPRAISER:

A few dates. So you got to know him a little bit.

GUEST:

Yes, I did.

APPRAISER:

Frank Zappa is a cultural icon.

GUEST:

Yes.

APPRAISER:

As a musician and as an artist. And what you've brought us is a fabulous piece. When did you say this was...

GUEST:

He painted this when he was in junior college.

APPRAISER:

So it's very early.

GUEST:

Yes.

APPRAISER:

It's a premonition of his future.

GUEST:

Right.

APPRAISER:

It shows an orchestra and an opera, it looks like, on stage.

GUEST:

Right.

APPRAISER:

This is probably the earliest piece of Frank Zappa art or music or anything I've ever seen...

GUEST:

Is it?

APPRAISER:

...in 30 years of doing this. It's a very unusual and wonderful piece.

GUEST:

He was such a different person, and this represents him.

APPRAISER:

Something a musician did in the art world adds to its value. And it's really hard to put a true value, because it's never been seen before.

GUEST:

Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER:

I would say that his signature is very valuable right now. Frank died many years ago of cancer and left a legacy of art and music for us. I would say it's somewhere in the $15,000 to $25,000 range.

GUEST:

Wow.

APPRAISER:

Having never seen a piece like this sell, it could even top that.

GUEST:

Oh, I think that's great.

APPRAISER:

It's a wonderful piece, and I love it.