Home / Arts and Entertainment / Man's $1.50 Thrifted Purse is Cartier Masterpiece Worth $35K
Man's $1.50 Thrifted Purse is Cartier Masterpiece Worth $35K
13 May
Summary
- A guest brought an Art Deco purse to Antiques Roadshow.
- The purse, purchased for only $1.50, is a rare Cartier creation.
- It was appraised at a remarkable $35,000 auction value.
On a recent episode of Antiques Roadshow, a guest discovered the astonishing value of a purse he thrifted for $1.50. The item, a burnt orange suede purse adorned with colorful gemstones, caught the eye of appraiser Katherine Van Dell. Van Dell identified it as an exquisite Art Deco piece, noting its platinum construction with rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds. She further revealed it was a rare creation by the renowned French fashion house, Cartier, popular during the Tutti Frutti period. Upon confirming its authenticity by finding the Cartier name inside, Van Dell appraised the purse. The guest, who had hoped for $2,000 to $3,000, was visibly emotional when told the conservative auction estimate was $35,000. Van Dell explained that its insurance value would exceed $100,000. The guest expressed his gratitude for the experience, stating it was well worth the trip.
The segment, which took place at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, Missouri, was later shared on TikTok, where viewers reacted with moved comments about the man's emotional response to the life-changing appraisal. The story highlights the potential for significant value in unexpected places and the thrill of uncovering hidden treasures.
