GUEST: I brought this tray that was given to my family way, way back in 1878.

It's my husband's family.

He was the fifth generation.

APPRAISER: The fifth generation from his ancestor who was...

GUEST: E. C. Preber.

And it was from the Napa-Sonoma wine country.

And it was presented to him for all of what he did for the wine industry in California.

He was a young man, about 21 years old, and he came over from Germany.

So first he immigrated to Mexico, but he wasn't really happy there.

And then he came to California.

APPRAISER: Emille Preber got to know some of the biggest, longest lasting names in the winemaking industry, including Krug, Beringer, and others who were...

GUEST: Exactly.

APPRAISER: ...considered really the founding fathers of the wine industry in California.

Then, in the early 1870s, he was asked by Krug to go to St. Louis to set up a wine company to help distribute their wines that they're growing in California to the eastern part of the United States.

He founds and operates the Napa and Sonoma Wine Company.

Then, a few years later, in recognition of all of his efforts on behalf of these California winemakers, they present him with this serving platter made by an American firm called Rogers, Smith and Company, made of silver plate with really ornate decoration around the edge.

The double handles on the end to help hold it up, because it is quite heavy.

GUEST: Right.

APPRAISER: And this really fantastic decoration in the center of the reserve...

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: ...depicting Athena, the goddess of war.

GUEST: Yes!

APPRAISER: Below Athena, we have the "P" monogram...

GUEST: Right.

APPRAISER: ...for Preber.

And then the presentation inscription, "presented to E.C.

Preber.

by Charles Krug, J.C. Weinberger, O.W.

Craig and Jacob Beringer, as a token of friendship and appreciation of valuable services rendered to the Napa and Sonoma Wine Company."

And that's in St. Helena, California, in May of 1878.

I realize it's a family heirloom, so you'll be keeping it, so I'd advise an insurance value of $4,000.

GUEST: (quietly): Wow.

I didn't even bring it to get any value.

I didn't even care.

I just think the value.

But to be that valuable, I think I probably should get it insured, (chuckling): because it's sure not insured.