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Thrift Store $4 Painting Fetches $191K, Then Buyer Vanishes
23 Sep
Summary
- A New Hampshire woman found an N.C. Wyeth painting for $4.
- The painting was initially auctioned for $191,000 but the sale failed.
- A private collector later bought the artwork for over $100,000.
In 2017, Tracy Donahue purchased a painting for a mere $4 from a New Hampshire thrift store, unaware of its significant value. Six years later, during a spring cleaning in May 2023, she discovered a signature on the back, leading to its identification as a work by renowned American illustrator N.C. Wyeth. An art conservator confirmed its authenticity, noting its remarkable condition.
The painting, an illustration for the 1939 edition of 'Ramona,' was subsequently put up for auction in September 2023 with an estimate of $150,000 to $250,000. It garnered a winning bid of $191,000, thrilling Donahue who had planned a family trip to Germany. Unfortunately, the buyer became unreachable, and the sale was cancelled, causing significant disappointment.
Months later, a new opportunity arose when an auctioneer connected Donahue with a private collector. This collector ultimately purchased the N.C. Wyeth painting for over $100,000. While less than the initial auction price, this sale finally provided Donahue with the funds she had hoped for from her $4 thrift store find.
