10 Thrift Store Finds That Turned Into Priceless Treasures
Thrift stores, often perceived as places for discarded goods, are full of overlooked gems. Amongst the piles of second-hand items, certain treasures, often hidden in plain sight, hold the potential to change the lives of those who stumble upon them.
Below, we delve into some of the most remarkable thrift store finds that turned into high-value assets.
A Copy of the Declaration of Independence – Worth $477,650
In 1991, Michael Sparks, a regular at the Music City Thrift Store in Nashville, Tennessee, made an astonishing discovery. Amongst the usual collection of old books and papers, he uncovered a yellowed, shellacked document.
When he unrolled it, he realized it was no ordinary piece of parchment; it was a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, commissioned by John Quincy Adams in 1820. Only 35 copies of this particular printing still existed.
A Handbag by Philip Treacy – Worth $317,000
At a British Oxfam thrift store, John Richard, an amateur antique hunter, came across a dusty, hidden box containing a striking handbag. Although the price was higher than expected at £20 ($32), Richard decided to purchase it.
Upon closer inspection, he realized the purse was crafted by the renowned milliner Philip Treacy and featured a unique Elvis Presley design created by Andy Warhol.
An Original Painting by Ilya Bolotowsky – Worth $34,375
Beth Feeback, an artist, stopped at a Goodwill store before heading to an art show. She was looking for something to keep warm when she noticed two large paintings for just $9.99 each.
Although she wasn’t particularly fond of the artwork, she purchased it for their canvases. Months later, after a friend noticed a label on the back, Feeback discovered one of the paintings was “Vertical Diamond” by Ilya Bolotowsky.
A Jackson Pollock Painting – Worth $9 Million
Teri Horton’s thrift store find was nothing short of extraordinary. While hunting for a gift for a friend, Horton came across a large, unattractive painting that she purchased for just $5.
She later tried to sell it at a yard sale but was told by an art teacher that the piece could potentially be by the legendary Jackson Pollock.
After years of research and even hiring a forensic specialist to authenticate the piece, Horton realized she had discovered an original Pollock painting.
A Signed Picasso Poster – Worth $7,000
While hunting for resaleable items in a thrift store, Zachary Bodish stumbled upon a seemingly insignificant poster priced at $14.14.
At first, Bodish believed it was a reproduction, but after closer inspection, he found red marks at the bottom of the poster that resembled Picasso’s signature.
Upon consulting experts, it was revealed that the poster was a linocut, created by Picasso himself in 1958 for an exhibit.
A 350-Year-Old Oil Painting – Worth $190,000
Leroy, a former antiques dealer, frequently visited Goodwill stores in search of treasures. In one instance, he purchased a framed oil painting for just $3, suspecting it was an antique from the 1800s.
A year later, his daughter-in-law suggested they have it appraised. After being examined by experts, the painting was identified as a 17th-century Flemish work from Amsterdam.
A Rare Jaeger-LeCoultre Watch – Worth $35,000
While searching for a golf cart, Zach Norris took a brief detour through the watch section at a local Goodwill.
Among a pile of neglected watches with dead batteries, he found a 1959 Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm watch. With only 900 units made, the rare timepiece was priced at just $5.99.
A Vince Lombardi Sweater – Worth $43,020
Sean and Rikki McEvoy, known for their passion for vintage clothes, found a sweater embroidered with the words “West Point” for only $0.58. Initially, they were unsure of its value, but later, they discovered that the sweater had been worn by the legendary football coach Vince Lombardi.
An Abstract Print by Alexander Calder – Worth $9,000
Karen Mallet was browsing through Goodwill when she came across an abstract print by the famous artist Alexander Calder.
Although the artwork didn’t appeal to her, she noticed a signature in the corner that caught her attention.
After researching the artist and confirming that the print was indeed authentic, Mallet discovered it was a lithograph of Calder’s “Red Nose,” a piece printed in 1969.
A Rare Photo of Billy the Kid – Worth $5 Million
Randy Guijarro, an avid thrift-store shopper, discovered a photo of the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid while perusing several boxes of old photographs.
Initially, it seemed like an ordinary tintype photograph, but after closer inspection, Guijarro realized that it was an image of Billy the Kid with his gang.
After a year of authentication, it was confirmed that the photograph was indeed authentic, making it one of the only two known images of the legendary outlaw.
Conclusion
Thrift stores are filled with unexpected treasures, waiting to be discovered. The items mentioned above represent only a fraction of the hidden wealth in second-hand shops.
Whether it’s valuable artwork, rare memorabilia, or collectible items, thrift stores offer an abundance of opportunities for those willing to dig deep and keep an eye out for hidden gems.
Remember, it’s not just about the items you find; it’s about recognizing the value of what others may overlook.
