Goodwill is known for being a thrift store where you can find second-hand clothing, furniture, and household items at affordable prices. However, what many people don’t realize is that sometimes Goodwill receives donations that are worth much more than they are priced for. In some cases, they simply don’t know what they have.
One recent example of this happened in a Goodwill store in Monroe, Washington. A donation of a painting was made to the store, and at first glance, it appeared to be just another piece of art among the many items that get donated every day. However, little did the employees know that this painting was actually a valuable piece by renowned artist Frank Weston Benson.
The painting depicted a beautiful scene of a woman outdoors with a bird on her hand, and it caught the eye of a customer who recognized the artist’s signature. Curious about the piece, the customer did some research and discovered that the painting was worth thousands of dollars. The customer informed the store manager, who then contacted an art appraiser to confirm the authenticity and value of the piece.
It turned out that the painting was indeed an original work by Frank Weston Benson and was estimated to be worth around $165,000. The store quickly pulled the painting from the shelves and put it up for auction, where it fetched a high price that greatly surpassed the initial asking price.
This story is not an isolated incident. Goodwill stores across the country have received donations of valuable items such as vintage clothing, rare collectibles, and even hidden treasures like jewelry and antiques. Sometimes these items go unnoticed by the staff or are simply priced too low due to lack of knowledge about their true worth.
While Goodwill’s primary mission is to provide affordable goods to those in need and to fund job training and employment programs, it is worth keeping an eye out for hidden gems that may end up in their inventory. You never know what you might find in a Goodwill store, so it’s always worth taking a closer look at the items on display.
In the case of the Frank Weston Benson painting, it was a stroke of luck that a knowledgeable customer spotted the valuable piece and alerted the store to its true value. This story serves as a reminder that treasures can be found in unexpected places, and that sometimes Goodwill doesn’t know what they have. So next time you visit a thrift store, keep your eyes peeled for that hidden gem that could turn out to be worth much more than you thought.
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