$4 Thrift Store Artwork Sells for $191,000 at New Hampshire Auction
A Remarkable Discovery: From Obscurity to Auction House Spotlight, the Journey of Ann C. Wyeth's 'Ramona
In an astonishing turn of events, an artwork purchased for a mere $4 from a thrift store in the United States has been auctioned off for a staggering $191,000 in the state of New Hampshire.
The painting, a rare masterpiece, was created by the renowned artist and painter Ann C. Wyeth (1882 – 1945) and had been lost to obscurity for an extended period.
According to reports from an American media outlet, this art piece was acquired by a woman in 2017 from a thrift store in Manchester, known as Sears Store, specializing in selling vintage items. The woman found the artwork tucked away among several frames, and she acquired it for just $4.
However, little did she know that she had unwittingly purchased a precious gem linked to a famous and celebrated artist, Newell Convers Wyeth, hailing from Massachusetts, USA.
The artwork is titled “Ramona,” and it’s a 1939 edition from the set of four commissions, including “Ramona,” “Little Brown,” “Bravo,” and “Co’Co.”
Later, the Bonhams Auction House showcased the painting on Instagram, stating that the long-lost artwork by Ann C. Wyeth would be presented for auction on September 19th. Subsequently, during the auction, “Ramona” fetched an astounding $191,000.
This remarkable discovery and the subsequent auction serve as a testament to the hidden treasures that can sometimes be found in thrift stores, turning seemingly ordinary purchases into extraordinary windfalls for those with a keen eye for art. The incredible journey of this painting, from a $4 thrift store find to a six-figure auction sale, has certainly captured the attention of art enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, adding another fascinating chapter to the world of art history.