{
  "id": 12020854,
  "title": "Man bought Goodwill painting for $3; it later sold for $190,000",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/man-bought-goodwill-painting-for-3-it-later-sold-for-190-000",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T22:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/a-south-carolina-man-bought-a-painting-at-goodwill-for-3-thinking-it-might-be-worth-a-few-hundred-dollars-it-turned-out-to-be-a-flemish-work-from-1650-and-sold-at-auction-in-2012-for-190000/articleshow/134659157.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A former antiques dealer named Leroy discovered a painting at a Goodwill store in South Carolina for just $3. Uncertain of the artwork's value, his daughter-in-law later brought it to the television show Antiques Roadshow, where experts estimated its worth at $20,000 to $30,000. The painting, created around 1650, was identified as a 17th-century Flemish work from the Netherlands. After the show's appraisal, the painting was auctioned off in Massachusetts in 2012 for a staggering $190,000, a price that is more than 63,000 times the initial purchase cost. This surprising thrift-store find highlights how valuable art can be overlooked, especially when hidden in plain sight. The story of Leroy's discovery serves as a reminder that the value of an object is not always apparent at first glance, and a keen eye can unearth treasures that others might miss.",
  "summary": "In a remarkable twist of fate, a former antiques dealer purchased a painting for just $3, suspecting it held greater value. Appraisers on Antiques Roadshow estimated its worth between $20,000 and $30,000, but the auction result astonished everyone, fetching $190,000. This stunning Flemish piece, dating back to around 1650, serves as a testament to the hidden gems that can be discovered in thrift…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}