TOP 10 > Yard Sale Treasures
From $92,000 to $200-Million
> LIST | Info
TOP 10 > Yard Sale Treasures - Follows legendary life-changers found at yard, garage, and rummage sales. Plus, holy grail examples to watch for.
#12 - $92,000
Rare Baseball Card
$100 Buy Makes *91,000%BAILEYVILLE, MAINE, USA - A man bought a hodgepodge of items at a rummage sale. Later, found an old Baseball Card tucked in the pile. The card sold for $92,000 (after auction fees). A *91,000% return on his $100 investment.
The rare 1865 baseball card is featured in this 2-minute video shared by WMTW News in 2013. The story can also be read in the Times Colonist, here.
Sports Card Treasures:
#11 - $100,000
Small Painting Pair
$35 Buy Makes *285,000%PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, USA - Two small paintings bought by a man at a garage sale for $35, were estimated to be worth up to $100,000 for the pair. Making a *285,000% return possible, on his $35 investment.
The man tells the story of finding the rare paintings by John F. Kensett (1816–1872), in this 2-minute video shared by Twin Cities Public Television. You can also see more on Antiques Roadshow's website, here.Art Treasures:
#10 - $133,000
Garage Sale Art Find
$100 Buy Makes *132,000%VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA - Two paintings bought for $100 by man at a garage sale, fetched a combined total of $133,000 after auction fees. Making a *132,000% return on his $100 investment.
One painting by Tom Thomson (1877-1917) fetched $126,500 while the other by Frederick Varley (1881-1969) brought $7,475. Both paintings can be seen in this 1-minute CBC news video shared by Maynards Fine Art (the auctioneer) or read in the Vancouver Sun, here.Art Treasures:
#9 - $150,000
Folk Art Pottery
$50 Buy Makes *299,000%LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA - A large antique Folk Art jug was picked up by a woman at a yard sale for $50. The latest updated value has been set as high as $150,000. Making her a *299,000% return on a $50 investment.
The woman shares her story of yard sale discovery in this 4-minute video shared by PBS. You can also learn more about it, on Antiques Roadshow's site, here.Pottery & Glass Treasures:
#8 - $490,000
Antique Card Table
$25 Buy Makes *1,900,000%SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - Antiques Roadshow reports an antique card table bought for $25 at a yard sale, later sold at a Sotheby's auction for $490,000. The sale made a *1,900,000% return on her $25 investment.
The rare table, labeled by cabinetmakers John and Thomas Seymour (circa 1794) was featured in this 4-minute video shared by PBS. You can also learn more about it, and the sale, on Antiques Roadshow's site, here.Antique Treasures:
#7 - $721,000
Decorative Bowl
$3 Buy Makes *73,000,000NEW YORK - An old decorative ceramic bowl picked up at a garage sale for $3, later sold at a Sotheby's auction for $2.2 Million. That's a *73,000,000% return on a $5 investment.
The bowl, an extremely rare ceramic from the Northern Song Dynasty can be seen in this 2-minute video by ABC News, or read the story in the LA Times, here.Pottery & Glass Treasures:
#6 - $882,500
Floral Painting
$29 Buy Makes *3,000,000%WISCONSIN - A painting similar in style to the one shown below, was purchased by a man at a garage sale for $29, then later sold for $882,500 at Christie's. The sale made a *3,000,000% return on his $29 investment.
Art Treasures:
#5 - $1.2 Million
Old Porcelain Vase
$25 Buy Makes *Huge ReturnFLORIDA - An old porcelain vase picked up at a yard sale, for an undisclosed price, later fetched $1.2 million at auction.
Pottery & Glass Treasures:
#4 - $2 Million
Small Bronze Buddha
$100 Buy Makes *2,099,900%ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, USA - A small bronze Buddha statue, bought by a woman at a garage sale for $100, fetched $2-million at auction. Making a *2,099,900% return on her $100 investment.
The antique bronze Buddha, thought to be imperial quality made in the 15-century, can be seen in this 1-minute video produced by What Sells Best, or you can read our full story, here.Money Maker Examples - Reported names and styles to watch for, in:
Antique Treasures:
#3 - $2.1 Million
Andy Warhol Art
$25 Buy Makes *41,000,000%LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - Andy Fields picked up several paintings at a garage sale for $5. He later found a sketch hidden behind one of the artworks while re-framing it. Estimates for the sketch run as high as $2.1 Million. That's a *41,000,000% return on a $5 investment.
The sketch, by Andy Warhol (1928-1987), and Mr. Fields story about finding it, are in this 3-minute video by Channel 4 News. You can also read the story in the Toronto Star here.Art Treasures:
#2 - $2.2 Million
Old Decorative Bowl
$3 Buy Makes *73,000,000%NEW YORK - An old decorative ceramic bowl picked up at a garage sale for $3, later sold at a Sotheby's auction for $2.2 Million. That's a *73,000,000% return on a $5 investment.
The bowl, an extremely rare ceramic from the Northern Song Dynasty can be seen in this 2-minute video by ABC News, or read the story in the LA Times, here.Pottery & Glass Treasures:
#1 - $200 Million
Box Of Photos
$45 Buy Makes *444,000,000%FRESNO, CALIFORNIA - Rick Norsigian bought two boxes of photo negatives at a garage sale for $45. Experts believe the collection is worth $200 Million. Making a *444,000,000% return from a $45 investment.
The photos, believed to be by Ansel Adams (1902-1984), are featured in this 1-minute video by WYFF News. You can also read the story on CNN here.Art Treasures:
List | > INFO
Treasure News List
Follow mostly true tales of fortunes found in odd places and holy grails hidden in plain sight.
Assembled from past reports in treasure news made by media and venues worldwide.
Holy Grail Examples
Are related names and styles to watch for, wanted by top dollar buyers.
Everything is illustrative, nothing comprehensive. List are sporadically updated and occasionally outdated.
Yields Are Ballpark Calculations
*All prices/returns are simple calculations based on highest known/reported sales price or estimated value.
Additional cost, fees, time and/or currency fluctuations are-not factored.
LAST UPDATE / by James Massey, August 12, 2021
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH
All Items Shared by What Sells Best - Are strictly for Informational and Entertainment Purposes only.
VERIFY EVERYTHING
Always Consult with Reputable Specialist - Before making important buy or sell decisions.
