LAS VEGAS -- One Las Vegas man has dedicated his life to collecting African-American memorabilia. His collection is believed to be one of the best in the country.
Nathaniel "Magnificent" Montague is best known as an R&B DJ during the 1950s and 1960s. But his life's work has little to do with the music industry. Instead, Montague has amassed one of the most significant collections of African-American memorabilia anywhere. It is a legacy now threatened by money, or a lack thereof.
Renowned appraiser Philip Merrill isn't exactly a kid, but make no mistake, this is his candy store. Merrill personally selected each item for display in this Las Vegas conference room for its historical significance, its rarity, or its financial value. They are representations of a much larger collection that some experts suggest is among the most significant catalogs of African-American memorabilia anywhere. And Merrill is one of the few to see it.
Slideshow: Montague's Collection of African-American History
"It says that this man was hot for history. He was hot for documenting the journey and the journey is his journey because as American history went, so did he," said appraiser Philip Merrill.
He is talking about Nathaniel "Magnificent" Montague, an R&B radio personality who's catch phrase "Burn, Baby! Burn!" has had almost as many incarnations as he has. At 84 years old, the title he hopes will be his legacy has nothing to do with the music industry. Instead, Montague considers himself a collector.
"I didn't do it to get credit, I didn't do it to become famous, I was already famous. I did it because something just kept saying you've got to do this. You've got to do this," said Montague.
More information about the collection
He acquired his first piece in 1955. Today, he has more than 6,000. Items include a painting in peanut oil by scientist George Washington Carver, a Dashiki worn by jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie, and a sweetheart pillow from the Tuskegee Airmen.
Much of his collection is one-of-a-kind items that are now threatened by bankruptcy.
"That's hard, yeah, that's where it is. Nothing I can do about it," Montague said.
Montague's creditors hired Philip Merrill to evaluate the collection which had been valued by a different appraiser at between $50 million and $100 million. Merrill is now promoting the collection in hopes of keeping it together.
"This is the first time that I've seen any part of my collection outside of my hands, so it's very dramatic for me. It's like these are my children," Montague said.
"Indeed, I understand," Merrill said.
Rather than cherry pick the catalog, to satisfy the debt and to compensate Montague, all involved hope to sell it in its entirety but at no where near that $100 million price tag. It's hoped someone will put it to educational use.
"If you break it up, it's useless," Montague said. "It has to be held together, it has to be exposed, it has to be reprinted."
For decades, Montague has searched for a home for his treasure. Perhaps now, when it seems so much is lost, finally his collection will be found.
"What this collection has done for me is give me the truth about being a Negro. The real heroes are the ghosts. Those dead people are the ones. All I want to do is see that they come to life," Montague said.
The irony of the bankruptcy is that it involves the collection. Montague borrowed several hundred thousand dollars to catalog and archive its contents with the understanding he would pay it back when he sold it. The sale didn't happen and ultimately he lost a legal fight over the loan.
Nathaniel "Magnificent" Montague (center) discusses one of this book with Philip Merrill.
