A WOMAN who found a rare painting in a thrift store for $2.90 sold it for up to $34,800 – but only after a small plaque massively upped the price.
The incredible incident happened purely by luck, as the lucky thrift store shopper noticed it just as she was leaving.
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Marisa Alcorn, 27, and her fiance Aaron Headlee, 28, were on their way home when they decided to go into a charity shop.
The Oakwood, Ohio native is a photographer, but it was only as the owner brought out new items that she snapped up the deal of a lifetime.
This happened just as the pair were leaving.
It was the gold frame that caught Marisa’e eye, and she purchased it for only $2.90.
But then everything changed, and Marissa had truly struck gold.
She told What’s The Jam: “When we got in the car, I realized it had a little plaque at the bottom with the name Johann Berthelsen.
“I automatically assumed it was probably a local painter.
“But after Googling the name, I quickly realized the painting was from a famous artist.”
According to Marisa, Berthelsen’s paintings can range from $1,890 to $34,784.
She said: “I immediately started contacting appraisers and found a group on Facebook [that] went wild for the painting.
“And made it very clear that it should have never been in a thrift store.
“We had multiple online authentications done.”
The photographer has shared her story in a TikTok that has since gained over 240,000 views.
Marisa got in contact with the Caza Sikes Art Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio, who also authenticated the art and appraised it around $1,890 to $3,024.
She allowed them to list the painting in their February auction and it sold for $2,267.
Marisa has already decided on what the money will go to.
Marisa added: “We plan to put the money that we receive from the auction towards our 2026 wedding.
“Looking back at the whole experience it’s honestly kind of crazy.
“The fact that this beautiful famous painting was sitting on the bottom of a cart in a not-so-great thrift store and has now been shipped to its new owner who will cherish it is a great ending.”
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The video posted to social media has left social media users shocked with 10,000 likes and hundreds of comments.
One person said: “That’s beautiful, I would have kept it!”
Abigail added: “Just looked up the artist and his works are gorgeous! I would have kept it. Quite a few of his works seem to be up for auction, I’d rather see them in a museum.”
Sandy added: “I love this for you, but I’m waiting for the day it happens to me since I would actually keep it and hang it on my walls.”
Vetty said: “That’s a crazy good find!”
Rose said: “Why can’t this happen to me.”
Another fan added: “This is an absolute dream.”
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