What comes to mind when you think of garage sales? Do the words dirty, old, and trash come to mind? How about ugly and cheap? The image of my grandma’s outdated ceramic lamp with a bright yellow sticker labeled $1.00 crosses my mind. What about a price tag of $200 million? That’s the incredible profit a lucky Californian may be making from a box of supposed "junk" from a garage sale.It was 10 years ago when Fresno, California native, Rick Norsigian, stopped by a garage sale and picked up two boxes full of negatives for $45 bucks. The negatives are now being attributed to the famed photographer Ansel Adams, whose photographs of the American West made him one of the most recognized and famed photographers of all time.
Experts believed the negatives were destroyed in a fire in 1937 at Adams’s studio, however, after much research it is now believed that the plates survived and can be attributed to the artist. This treasure, “is going to show the world the evolution of his eye, of his talent, of his skill, his gift, but also his legacy,” said David W. Streets, the appraiser and art dealer who is hosting the unveiling of the photographs.
The most incredible part? The plates, which were originally purchased for $45 are now reportedly worth $200 million! That’s enough to get everyone rethinking a visit to their local garage-sale and flea market circuit.This isn’t the first time art treasures have been salvaged from the trash. In fact, a work by an iconic Spanish artist was found in an attic in the UK in 2008 that scored $200,000 at auction. Additionally, a genuine Da Vinci painting was found hidden behind another painting. And in 2007, a man bought an old parchment from a Tennessee thrift store for $2.48 that turned out to be an original version of the Declaration of Independence!True, these stories of hidden treasure are few and far between, but the fact is, many people have something worth more than they think. It’s a stretch, but you may be the next Rick Norsigian and score it big!
The role of an appraiser or art expert was significant in all these cases. In the case of Mr. Norsigian, expert Manny Medrano was hired to authenticate the negatives. Michael Nattenberg and Marcel Matley were called in to study the handwriting on the deteriorating envelopes the negatives were found in. Art Appraiser, David W. Streets stated that, "It truly is a missing link of Ansel Adams and history and his career." The photographs will be unveiled at his Beverly Hills gallery in the upcoming week.
With the help of these professionals, what was once garage sale "junk" is now an astonishing investment for the lucky Norsigian.
MIR Appraisal Services, Inc. employs a team of researchers and appraisers who are dedicated to our clients’ needs. Whether you want to know more about the "hidden treasures" in your home, or are seeking a detailed report for insurance purposes, please visit our website at www.mirappraisal.com to learn more about our services.
Last week an English national treasure was unveiled after having hung in a private collection for over 300 years. What was discovered was a painting of William Shakespeare, which is currently believed to be the only portrait he sat for during his lifetime. However, this is not the only major historical discovery to occur within the last year. In fact, in early fall 2008 an American national treasure was discovered in the private collection of a local family.
MIR Appraisal Services was commissioned in the summer of 2008 to examine the items in an estate located in a Chicago suburb. What we appraised were several wonderful fine art and decorative items. Then we discovered an incredible piece of Americana. It was a hand written copy of America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates (1859 – 1929), penned and signed entirely in Ms. Bates hand. This was a very rare discovery because, although Ms. Bates’ original copy is known to be located at the Falmouth Historical Society, within the last 30 years only one other fully handwritten and signed copy of America the Beautiful has reached the open market.
The first draft of America the Beautiful had been written by Katharine Lee Bates in the summer of 1893 while she was traveling to Chicago for the world’s Columbian Exposition. The poem was then published in The Congregationalist two years later as part of a fourth of July celebration, shortly after which it became hugely popular.
This very unique manuscript had been in the family’s possession for a number of years, along with several other important historical documents. However, the item had remained unexamined by professional eyes and was considered a reproduction, an understandable assumption do to the rarity of authentic handwritten copies of America the Beautiful. The trained eyes of the staff at MIR Appraisal Services were able to recognize that the document was unique and had potential to be something of, not only great monetary value, but also of national value. We were able to authenticate the document through extensive research, and earlier this month it was auctioned by a premier international auction house.
It is always important to contact a professional team of appraisers if you have any questions about documents, decorative items, or fine art items, because, as the last year has shown us, hidden treasures are often lurking in private collections. For more information on appraising your items, or to setup an appraisal appointment with our professional staff of appraisers please call 312.814.8510.
Welcome to our blog site!
MIR Appraisal Services, Inc. is a fine art and personal property appraisal company dedicated to serving clients throughout the United States and abroad since our incorporation in Chicago in 1994. We specialize in the multi-faceted field of appraising fine art, jewelry, antiques, and decorative items. We also provide professional fine art restoration and conservation treatment for various media, including but not limited to, artworks on canvas, board, masonite, and paper.
We offer professional and precise appraisal services carried out by our team of accredited appraisers for the purposes of insurance coverage and claims, charitable donations, estate planning and probate, equitable distribution and fair-market value.
We started our art commentary blog site as a venue for colleagues and fellow art enthusiasts to share their experiences within the art community.
Experts believed the negatives were destroyed in a fire in 1937 at Adams’s studio, however, after much research it is now believed that the plates survived and can be attributed to the artist. This treasure, “is going to show the world the evolution of his eye, of his talent, of his skill, his gift, but also his legacy,” said David W. Streets, the appraiser and art dealer who is hosting the unveiling of the photographs.
The role of an appraiser or art expert was significant in all these cases. In the case of Mr. Norsigian, expert Manny Medrano was hired to authenticate the negatives. Michael Nattenberg and Marcel Matley were called in to study the handwriting on the deteriorating envelopes the negatives were found in. Art Appraiser, David W. Streets stated that, "It truly is a missing link of Ansel Adams and history and his career." The photographs will be unveiled at his Beverly Hills gallery in the upcoming week. 
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