Great Discoveries: Missing Painting Found at New Hampshire Thrift Store – WorthPoint

A woman recently visited a Manchester, New Hampshire, thrift store in search of used frames. She ended up finding something much more valuable–a missing painting.

The woman bought a painting at the thrift store for $4, according to WHDH. Following her purchase, the woman posted photos of the front and back of the painting on Facebook. These caught the attention of Lauren Lewis, a painting conservator who has worked with the collection of Massachusetts artist Newell Convers (N.C.) Wyeth for more than two decades.

Lewis arranged a meetup with the woman to further evaluate the painting. Ultimately, Lewis met the woman, saw the painting, and confirmed that the piece had been missing for over 80 years, WHDH reported. The painting was produced by Wyeth in 1939 as an illustration for the Helen Hunt Jackson book Ramona, WMUR reported.

Meanwhile, Lewis told WHDH that the painting was in “very good condition” and appeared to have “never been touched.”

It is unclear how the painting wound up at the New Hampshire thrift store. At this point, the woman who discovered the painting (and chosen to remain anonymous) told Lewis that she plans to sell it.

Bonhams Skinner Auction House will put the painting up for auction on September 19. The painting is expected to sell for close to $250,000.

Wyeth was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. He created more than 3,000 paintings and illustrated 112 books during his lifetime. Among Wyeth’s most famous illustrations were those used for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.

Those who want to view paintings and illustrations from Wyeth can see over 400 such items in the WorthPoint® Price Guide.

Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website. 

WorthPoint—Discover. Value. Preserve.