Unexpected flea market find: Painting could sell for $200,000
An antiques dealer made an astonishing discovery at a flea market in New York, purchasing a painting for just 50 dollars. The artwork could bring him an astronomical profit of about 399,900 percent. The painting will be auctioned, and its value could reach as much as 200,000 dollars.
10:03 AM EDT, October 12, 2024
Allen Treibitz, an experienced dealer with over 40 years in the art industry, came across an extraordinary canvas during a visit to a flea market in the Hamptons. The painting, depicting a bear on a totem pole, immediately caught his attention. In a conversation with CBC, Treibitz admitted that this find was the most significant in his entire career.
Treibitz emphasized that the artwork stood out with its clear signature and intriguing aura. After his purchase, he began detailed research and contacted the Heffel Fine Art Auction House in Vancouver. David Heffel, the president of the auction house, confirmed to CBC that upon receiving the photos, there was no doubt about the significance of this discovery. The painting, titled "Masset, Q.C.I." from 1912 by Emily Carr, will be auctioned on November 20 in Toronto. Experts estimate it could fetch a price between 100,000 and 200,000 dollars.
Similar finds at other markets
Extraordinary discoveries at flea markets are not isolated incidents. In Germany, a flea market enthusiast from Solingen bought a heavily tarnished bowl for about 3 dollars, which, after cleaning, turned out to be a valuable silver item. During an appraisal on the show "Bares für Rares," it was revealed that the bowl is from Austria and has a silver purity of 812.5. Dr. Heide Rezepa-Zabel estimated its value at 600 to 800 dollars, as reported by focus.de.
Ultimately, the bowl was sold on the show for approximately 1,250 dollars after a fierce bidding war among several buyers. Olaf, the seller, expressed his joy over the successful transaction, saying, "It's a wonderful feeling." These cases show that one can still encounter true treasures at flea markets, bringing significant profits to their finders.
A masterpiece of a renowned painter
The discovery of the painting "Masset, Q.C.I." holds enormous significance for the art world. This piece is one of five paintings by Emily Carr that will be auctioned. Carr is regarded as one of Canada's most important artists, known for her works depicting the culture of Canada's Indigenous peoples and the landscapes of the western part of the country.
The accidental finding of such a valuable piece at a flea market highlights the importance of knowledge and intuition in recognizing valuable items. This story inspires collectors and art enthusiasts to carefully browse through flea market offerings, as one never knows where the next masterpiece worth a fortune might be hiding.
