Woman amazed to learn value of painting she bought at charity shop for £2.40
A thrifty shopper in the US was stunned to learn a painting she bought at a charity shop for just $3 (£2.40) was worth a whole lot more.
Marisa Macy, who picked up the artwork at a second hand store in Cincinatti, Ohio, called it the ‘most insane thrift find ever’.
Sharing the story with her TikTok followers, she said: ‘I picked up this painting strictly for the frame, but after I got in the car I realised it was a painting and not a print.’
She then noticed a label on the frame that suggested the painting was by Danish-American impressionist painter Johann Berthelsen.
‘So, I decided to do some research and found that it was purchased in an art gallery in St. Louis in 1912,’ explained on a video.
After having the painting authenticated via an art appraisal Facebook page, Marisa and her husband drove to Caza Sikes art gallery in Cincinnati to have it valued.
‘When we arrived, Will the art curator told us our painting would likely sell for somewhere in the region of $3,000 to $5,000 (£2,374 to £3,957)’, she said.
‘We got a final picture with the painting and hit the road. It will be featured in their February auctions.’
Days after posting the video, she returned with a follow-up, telling her followers: ‘Bidding took place yesterday, but it only lasted 30 seconds [and] there was a serious bidding war.
‘It finally sold for $2,300 (£1,821). After the auction house took their 15 per cent commission, we’ll be bringing home just over $2,000 (£1,584).’
She added: ‘All that just from a thrift store find. You never know what hidden gems are out there waiting to be discovered.’
Posting underneath the video, one person wrote: ‘Honestly a win-win situation. You made some money and the painting will be appreciated by its new owner.’
Another added: ‘Reminding myself I need to look at art at thrift stores.’
Last year an ‘incredibly rare’ Beatles record donated to a charity shop in Enfield sold for £4,200.
The vinyl was on sale in a Cancer Research UK store and was picked up by shop manager Jaime-Marie Madden.
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