A woman purchased an item from a charity shop for a miniscule amount was left stunned after later learning it’s true value.
Shopper Marisa Macy visited her local thrift store in Cincinatti, Ohio, where she spent $3 (approximately £2.40) on a piece of artwork for her home. She described the Goodwill purchase – a framed painting – as the “most insane thrift find ever.”
According to research from Capital One, 16-18% of US adults shop at thrift stores annually, and clearly some of those get lucky. Marisa shared footage of her success on TikTok, in a video in which she explained: “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.”
Revealing that it was painted by Johann Berthelsen, she continued: “So I decided to do some research and found that it was purchased in an art gallery in St. Louis in 1912.” After sharing it with an art appraisals page on Facebook, meanwhile, Marisa soon discovered it’s significance.
She was then put in contact with Caza Sikes art gallery in Cincinatti where she made the hour’s journey to with her husband. “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).”
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Marisa closed: “We got a final picture with the painting and hit the road. It will be featured in their February auctions.” After leaving her followers in suspense, she returned with a follow-up video with the “update that everyone’s waiting for!
“Bidding took place yesterday, but it only last 30 seconds – there was a serious bidding war,” she continued. “It finally sold for $2,300 ($1,821). After the auction house took their 15% commission, we’ll be bringing home just over $2,000 (£1,584) – all that just from a thrift store find. You never know what hidden gems are out there waiting to be discovered.”
Marisa’s followers were clearly impressed, with one responding: “Honestly a win-win situation. You made some money and the painting will be appreciated by its new owner.”
A second agreed: ” And it’ll be somewhere where people will appreciate it.” And a third praised: “Love finding other thrifters who are local! Great find with the painting.”
Others, however, said that if they had been in Marisa’s shoes, they would have kept the artwork. “Just looked up the artist and his works are gorgeous!” one person said. “I would have kept it. Quite a few of his works seem to be up for auction, I’d rather see them in a museum.”
Another concurred: “I love this for you, but I’m waiting for the day it happens to me since I would actually keep it and hang it on my walls.”