A MAN was shocked to discover that his unique flea market find was worth tens of thousands of dollars.
During a recent episode of Antiques Roadshow, an appraisal expert noted that a flea market enthusiast’s bargain art find was “very, very rare.”
A man showed off his unique find, an 1811 Fraktur he purchased at a flea market in 1985[/caption]
The 1811 North Carolina Fraktur was especially rare, since most Frakturs from that time were made by the Pennsylvania Dutch[/caption]
Wes Cowan, the owner of Cowan’s Auctions, Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio, offered more details about the unique art piece[/caption]
During a 2013 episode of Antiques Roadshow focusing on bargain finds, one man said he could “spend all weekend” scouring flea markets for interesting pieces.
He told the appraiser, Wes Cowan, that he found the 1811 Fraktur at the Morehead Flea Market in North Carolina in 1985.
The man said he knew little about the piece, except for the fact that it was “probably German.”
Cowan explained that a Fraktur, while typically referring to a “style of writing or lettering,” is also the name of a popular style of art.
A Fraktur is a decorative document made to commemorate important life events, like births, marriages, and deaths.
What made this particular Fraktur so interesting was that unlike traditional Frakturs, which were made by the Pennsylvania Dutch, this Fraktur was made in Rowan, North Carolina.
The man’s flea market Fraktur find included a record of Philippina Gaurin, who was born on June 27, 1811.
The Fraktur also listed several names beneath Philippina’s, which Cowan said were “her parents, relatives, and people who witnessed her baptism.”
The self-described flea market enthusiast was shocked to find out he was the owner of a rare piece of American history.
Cowan, meanwhile, was equally shocked to discover that the man paid only $40 for the work of art.
Antiques Roadshow best finds
Antiques Roadshow has helped people put a price on their treasures since 1979. Here are some of the most interesting finds
- A hand-me-down ring that had been in the family for generations was valued at $595,000
- A silver coin found on a farm is worth $30,000
- A Rolex that cost just $120 is now worth $45,000
He noted that the work “has all sorts of great stuff going for it,” pointing out the decorative parrots, pinwheel decoration, flowering vines, and impressive arch.
All in all, Cowan said the “fabulous piece” was also “very, very rare.”
Cowan also pointed out that the piece was far from perfect, however.
“There are some condition problems,” he said, noting that the Fraktur had been folded several times.
He explained that many Frakturs have similar folding marks, given that they were typically kept folded in a family’s bible.
Despite the folding marks, and “some areas of separation,” Cowan said that he and other appraisers were “marveling” at the find due to its unique location.
When asked how much he thought the Fraktur was worth, the man shrugged.
“A couple hundred dollars?” he answered, giving his best guess.
Cowan paused before revealing the big news.
More Valuable Items
People have unkowingly stumbled upon valauble items, later shocked to realize their true value.
Here are several examples of items worth more than expected:
- A grandmother’s baseball bat worth $30,000
- An antique lighter worth $4,000
- A model bridge worth $25,000
“A couple of us discussed what the value would be at auction, since we don’t see Southern Frakturs that often,” he said.
“And all of us agreed, conservatively, that it would be an $8,000 to $10,000 estimate.”
The man’s jaw dropped, and he was nearly speechless.
“Woah,” he exclaimed, before adding, “Wow, that’s great.”
“I bet that $40 looks cheap now, right?” Cowan asked.
Still, given that this episode was shot in 2013, Antiques Roadshow also provided a crucial update on the item.
The same 1811 Southern Fraktur, in 2021, would fetch approximately $15,000 to $25,000.
Valuable thrifting finds revealed
Here are some of the best thrift store finds:
- Tiffany & Co. earrings that sold for $0.34 and are valued at $430
- American Girl doll that sold for $5.99 and is valued at $300
- Bionicle toy that sold for $14.95 and is valued at $18.101
- Gold record plaque for DJ Quik’s 1992 album Way 2 Fonky that sold for @20 and is valued at $200
- Rothy’s brand Sugared Berry pointed-toe flats that sold for $155 retail and are valued at $250
BARGAIN HUNTERS
Many of the pieces on Antiques Roadshow are bought for less than $100.
Some items are even gifted or handed down from older generations.
One Miami realtor was left speechless after finding out a gift he received from selling his first condo was now worth more than the condo’s original sale price.
Another woman who revealed she had purchased a small Buddha statue at a garage sale for $75 to $100, gasped when she found out it was worth more than $125,000.
From hand-me-downs to family heirlooms, flea market finds and garage sale treasures, Antiques Roadshow has captivated audiences nationwide with rags-to-riches tales.
Wes Cowan noted the Fraktur’s unique, colorful arch, decorative parrots, and flowering vines helped increase its value[/caption]
Wes Cowan shocked the flea market enthusiast when he said the Fraktur was valued at $10,000, or between $15,000 and $25,000 if it were sold at auction in 2021[/caption]
The Fraktur was far from perfect, with Wes Cowan noting some areas of separation and folding marks throughout the piece, but it was still valuable despite these flaws[/caption]
