Imagine walking into a thrift store and walking out with a piece of art history. That’s exactly what happened to a bargain hunter in Manchester, New Hampshire, back in 2017. What seemed like a simple $4 painting purchase at a Savers location turned out to be an oil panel illustration by Newell Convers Wyeth, the father of the renowned artist Andrew Wyeth.
The Artwork’s Provenance
The painting in question was one of four cover illustrations created by N.C. Wyeth for a 1939 edition of Helen Hunt Jackson’s novel “Ramona.” The novel itself was first published in 1884 and tells the story of Ramona, a half-Scottish, half–Native American orphan living in Southern California after the Mexican-American War. The painting captures a dramatic scene featuring Ramona and her stern foster mother, Señora Moreno. Signed by Wyeth in the upper left corner and on a label affixed to the back, the painting had somehow found its way into a thrift store.
The Journey to Authentication
Initially unaware of the painting’s significance, the thrift store shopper hung it in their bedroom for several years before eventually storing it in a closet. It wasn’t until May of this year that the consigner posted images of the painting in a Facebook group called “Things Found on Walls.” Members of the group quickly directed the owner to the Brandywine River Museum of Art in Pennsylvania, known for showcasing works by the Wyeth family.
Lauren Lewis, a conservator from the museum, drove three hours to personally inspect the painting. Her excitement was the first indication to the consigner that they had something truly valuable.
N.C. Wyeth: A Prolific American Artist
N.C. Wyeth was a prolific American artist, having created more than 3,000 paintings and illustrated 112 books during his lifetime. He worked for esteemed companies like Scribner’s and contributed to publications such as the Saturday Evening Post, Harper’s Monthly, and Ladies’ Home Journal. The painting is believed to have been a gift from the publishers Little, Brown and Company, either to an editor or to the estate of the author.
The Auction House’s Estimate
Bonhams auction house has estimated the painting’s value to be between $150,000 and $250,000. The artwork is scheduled to be auctioned on September 19 in Marlborough, Massachusetts, turning what was once a $4 thrift store find into a potential windfall for the lucky owner.
This incredible story serves as a testament to the hidden treasures that can still be found in the most unexpected places. It also highlights the importance of art authentication and the enduring value of works by master artists like N.C. Wyeth.
When you have art gold in your home and you have no idea
The Declaration of Independence Copy
In 1989, a man bought a painting for $4 at a flea market in Pennsylvania solely because he liked the frame. Upon dismantling the frame, he discovered a hidden copy of the Declaration of Independence. It was later auctioned for $2.42 million.
Van Gogh’s “Still Life with Flowers”
In 1991, a woman purchased a painting from a thrift store in Milwaukee for $12, thinking it was a mere decorative piece. It turned out to be “Still Life with Flowers,” a work by Vincent van Gogh. The painting was eventually valued at $1.4 million.
Jackson Pollock’s “No. 5, 1948”
In 1992, Teri Horton, a retired truck driver, bought what she thought was an “ugly” painting from a thrift store for $5. She later found out it was a Jackson Pollock painting potentially worth millions. The story even inspired a documentary called “Who the #$&% Is Jackson Pollock?”
Andy Warhol Sketch
In 2010, a man bought a sketch at a garage sale in Las Vegas for $5. The sketch was later authenticated as an early work by Andy Warhol, with an estimated value of at least $2 million.
Cimabue’s “Christ Mocked”
In 2019, an elderly woman in France had a small painting hanging in her kitchen, which she assumed was just an old religious icon. It turned out to be “Christ Mocked” by the 13th-century Florentine artist Cimabue. The painting was sold at auction for $26.8 million.
These stories serve as a reminder that valuable art can be found in the most unexpected places, and they continue to captivate the imagination of both art enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
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