Secrets of Picking Valuable Art At Thrift Stores

"All people deserve art"
We save beautiful art from dusty places: thrift stores, estate sales, friends' attics.
We use our expert eye to find original unschooled art, vintage, and limited edition prints. We see hundreds of pieces before we find one worthy to rescue.
We make sure your frames, backing, mat, and glass are in excellent condition.
We write Rescued Art Stories given birth by the circumstances of how works were rescued. To read a story, click on the book icon next to a specific work of art.
We join with the community of pickers to recycle beautiful art and save it from the landfill. Also, our packing materials are as earth friendly as possible: 99% are recyclable.
Visit: www.rescuedart... for more information
Share this video: • Secrets of Picking Val...

[@kaylakai]

Thank you for this wonderful video. I ❤ thrift stores and Im always on a time limit. I am planning to spend more time on thrifting as I am learning so much from the thrifting art community .

[@Echo-991]

Great video, will always be relevant for those looking to find a diamond in the rough. Its overwhelming as a beginner and having some key details to look for will definitely help. Thanks for making this so many years ago

[@RescuedArt]

Thanks Amit. Good luck in your hunt for art treasures!

[@athena1841]

I like that you added that the beautiful canvas "print" with shellac brush strokes was still worthy of hanging in your home -- and an affordable way to decorate.

[@RescuedArt]

Yes. And even these are getting to be more rare around the thrift store/garage sale world!

[@Laura-dw4yo]

So helpful! Thank you!

[@strawberriez9328]

Thank you for the video!

[@blaqpaks1808]

I've found some amazing and significant art by everyone Italian old masters to 1600s engravings to all kinds of more modern pieces. So many people don't know what they have and when you learn the clues, it's out there.

[@katiehale4411]

Thank you.

[@michelthor4117]

Your website isn't showing.

[@andrewtobeck2057]

I like collecting original oil paintings at thrift stores. What I buy probably idnt worth anything but I really love finding nice looking oil paintings. Its 1 of a kind I particularly love nature paintings

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Andrew, I enjoy saving original paintings that I call "unschooled art." Pieces that are unsophisticated yet attractive and simple. Take a look at this one called "Still LIfe: Red Pepper." www.rescuedart.net/product/e-auxier-original-still-life-red-pepper/

[@garysmith7760]

Par excellence performance and equally insightful recommendations. Thank you!

[@darylanncampbell3121]

Thank you, I learned something new today about the pencil signed and in the plate. :)

[@dsjpk55]

Don't bore us; get to the chorus.

[@worldbooks2003]

Mold is NOT foxing. Mold is MOLD. Foxing is caused by the iron content in paper that shows over time. Foxing does NOT appear on paintings. It appears on prints. There is so much wrong with what you are telling people it is scary

[@RescuedArt]

Thanks for the information, Sandy. I will incorporate these things into any future communications that I send out. "All people deserve art."

[@paulanull8731]

Thank you Sandy. I thought I was the only one scared of all the misinformation.

[@Miriam-fk9wr]

Thank you Sandy, I majored in Fine Arts and good to know this.

[@renamiller8555]

But how do you get rid of the MOLD? My daughter is so allergic to mold I cannot even have an old piece of art in my house!

[@Dan0rioN]

Maybe you should do a video for us! Please I need to know everything possible about picking art!!! I see so many original paintings everywhere with signatures I either can't read or can't find any info on.. Need help so bad!!!!

[@carlcox5718]

FINALLY SOME PEOPLE CAN RELATE TO WHAT IM GOING THRU! AS OF 4 MONTHS AGO I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT ART , UNTIL ONE DAY MY MOM BRINGS A OLD PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN HOLDING HER DAUGHTER, WITH A OLD ROTTED BUCKED BOARD NAILED TO THE BACK, HER BROTHER HAD GIVEN HER WHEN SHE WAS THERE VISITING,AFTER DOING A MONTHS RESEARCH AND LEARNING ABOUT THE LIFE AND WORKS OF VIGEE LEBRUN , HE TOLD MY MOM IT WASNT ANYTHING BUT A COPY, WELL HAHA WRONG HE WAS AS I NOTICED THE BEAUTIFUL BRUSH STROKES AND THE UNIQUE DELICATE TECHNIQUE SOMEONE USED WAS SO ELAGANT IT SEEMED AS IF THE PORTRAIT WAS ALIVE LIKE THEY WERE REAL AND IT WAS UNSIGNED AND TO MY DISSAPOINTMENT I REMOVED THE BACK PANEL WHAT I KNOW NOW IS CALLED A PRESERVATION BOARD AND IT REVIELED A NASTY UNEVEN BURLAP SACK LOOKING DARK BROWN TYPE OF CANVAS, AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT HOW YOU CAN NARROW DOWN THE AGE RANGE , BUT EVERYONE IVE SENT PICS TO SAYS ITS IN TO GOOD OF SHAPE, WELL WHEN I TOOK IT OUTSIDE FOR MORE PICTURES I FOUND AN INSCRIPTION ON THE BOTTOM AND DATE THATS BEEN HEAVILY OVER PAINTED BUT THANKSA TO SPECTRA IMAGING APP I DOWNLOAD FOR MY PHONE, I REVEAL TO MY BROTHERS MISTRESS, V.L BRUN JULIE 1789 PARIS, AND NO ONE WILL EVEN LOOK AT IT NOW, SINCE I PRESENTED IT WITHOUT A SIGNATURE BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED UP BY DIRT AND GRIME... BUT NOW KNOWING HOW TO SPOT AN OLD MASTER, FROM YOU TUBE AND RESEARCH, I PUT IT TO GOOD USE IN MY LOCAL ANTIQUE STORE, AND YOU THINK THE VIGEE LEBRUN MY MOTHER HAS IS A DOUSY TRY 50 PABLO PICOSSO PAINTINGS AND BABY SHOUSE PERSONAL AFFECTS OF PABLOS , THAT MARIE THERESA WALTER HAD AND PASSED DOWN TO HER KIDS AND SO ON, ENDED UP IN AN ESTATE SALE, OWNER UNDISCLOSED AND THE WHOLE CONTENTS OF WHO EVERS HOME THIS WAS, WAS FAMILY OR A LOVER OF MARIE THERESA WALTER AS ABOUT EVERYTHING IVE AQUIRED HAS LOVE NOTES, INSCRIPTIONS, BUT THE SCULPTURES, OMG THERE SO INTRICATLEY DETAILED WITH SO MANY FIGURES WHEN YOU TURN AND TWIST THEM CERTAIN WAYS, THEIRS CERAMICS, PLASTER BUSTS , AND IT ALL POINTS TO PICASSOS MUSE MARIE THERESA WALTER, WHO CAN HELP ME AS I HAVE A CREEPY CERAMIC APPLE AND WOODEN FRUIT WITH FACES AND FIGURES ALL OVER AND INITIALS, SOME IS SIGNED AND SOME ISNT I FOUND 8 NEEDLE POINTS, SKETCHES, ETCHINGS, AND A HUGE GIANT PIECE OF MELTED STAINED GLASS SIGNED AND DATED OUT OF 60 SOMETHING IN 1 OF THE CORNERS... ANY INFO WOULD BE GREAT

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Carl, It sounds like you are having a wonderful and frustrating time with your art treasures. Why don't you send along a few photographs, front and back, and I will try to help you with research. Send to [e-mail]. "All people deserve art" Rodney

[@gordonmusic97]

wats best way to get honest appraisal of two paintings they are old

[@gordonmusic97]

+RescuedArt ,can i send you pics of my two paintings,honest appraisal thx

[@jayreszy4398]

Carl Cox Why do you have to scream?? 🤦‍♂️

[@jamesandchante]

Thank you for this video! :)

[@Hambonezzt]

Thanks! Great info. Nice job with that frame also!

[@iyzx9]

I found an original Fred Slocombe 1888 today, it was an state sale, great frame too.

[@RescuedArt]

Hey Gabriela, that is a treasure. You might want to ask an appraiser about its value, just to make make sure what you have rescued there. There are many appraisers on line for cheap. Good eyes you got!

[@romcallis]

A lot of stores now hire people to sort out the good stuff so most of the art at thrift stores is junk

[@RescuedArt]

Yes. Goodwill has its own auction site for art! OK, as long as art is being saved and seen by people.

[@treasurehunter183hunter8]

That's what you think just like they hire people to sort out the good stuff they don't know everything. And that's where I come in it when it comes to art when I was little I guess you would say I was a little art connoisseur without buying the art of course end as an adult I still Marvel at how much I loved and know about art as well. Because an original painting by E D slipped through their hands.😎

[@dhawan167]

Today i qualified with your shared knowledge thanks

[@theroomnumber5210]

Hello, I found a painting of a famous artist, possibly a print. Can you help me analyze that?

[@realestatecoach8626]

I need help. I left a picture at at rental and it was taken. I don’t know how valuable it was. I staged my properties. I thought it was a Print. I think she knew something I didn’t. How can I figure out what it was worth when all I have is just a picture?

[@penelopekeys8911]

You cannot see your website, in the video where you are pointing.

[@Kim_Monique]

I have a 1955 painting from Marino. painted on wood when I tap it. old hanging wire behind it. how much is worth?

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Kim, Marino Marini? Is red the basic color? Could be worth several hundred dollars. Send a few photos to [e-mail]. I will do some research for you. "All people deserve art" Rodney

[@RescuedArt]

@@Kim_Monique Yes, yahoo.com.. You may have the real thing. Send along the photos. Rodney

[@michaelwerbick]

Not all thrift stores smell like mold!

[@aniphi7672]

Michael Werbick Exactly. I've been to some that are more well kept then a "high end retail" store but maybe the ones that he has gone too are all smelly. I go to every thrift store I pass by...every single one, and I can't lie, there's a few where it was so bad I was actually afraid to touch certain things....and I'm a picker, so you know it was bad lol

[@fabulouslifeinchrist1349]

The bigger ones like salvation army and goodwill can get pretty smelly; but, I think it smells because some people donate dirty clothing. I just donated some clean clothing. I would not want to make people go through my dirty laundry. I don't even know if they are allowed to wear gloves. I know people sometimes donate things with animal feces because they take them to the Dry Cleaners with that too. My local gw opens the front doors wide when it is warm to let air in and out.

[@mariatmorales2333]

How can you tell if it's the real painting from a copy

[@RescuedArt]

Hi Maria. In my realm, it is usually not an issue regarding original paintings. If I ever run into a painting with the signature "Pablo Picasso," it is worth money even as a forgery. If you by chance find what you suspect is an original, there are many on-line appraisers who can help you out for a small fee. I have sometimes taken art to an art historian at a local university and they appraise authenticity for free. Good luck!

[@waltevans4490]

Fun thing to do look for Hidden Treasures I did it for about 40 years during that time I found six Treasures but I had to do a lot of book breaking and research before I could get to that far

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Walt. You had deep experience of seeking treasures in dusty places! Over the 12 years of so that I have been rescuing art, the prices in thrift stores and the like have been going constantly up. They are beginning to be much more cognizant of arts' value. This is good and I am happy to have contributed just a smidgen to this evolution in the general culture to take a good look at old dusty pieces of art and see their worth.

[@waltevans4490]

@@RescuedArt thank you for your reply sir, I have done several thousand artworks myself over the years, and sometimes they show up in different places once a friend came by my home and said he had seen one of my artworks in a beautiful mansion and I said cool later on that day I went to a Goodwill and I seen one of my paintings for 25 bucks you never can get big head too soon! Occasionally I'll get a Gmail from somebody asking me am I the Walt Evans on an artwork they bought and am I important? I always laugh and say not until I'm dead one of my best deals was I found a piece I paid $45 for it and it was appraised a $2,000 another piece I paid 154 and it also was praised at 2000 or 3000, so yes it's fun to look for Treasures but you have to do your homework

[@handsometall28]

@@waltevans4490 What are the best sources or books for homework/research?

[@waltevans4490]

@@handsometall28 actually I had a huge library that I slowly bought over the years on the art and art history and not only the major ones but the second tier level in the third tier level but the best place to go to save your money is if you have a big library in your cities start with the art section of your library that has art history and you can go from there without spending a lot of money to make your own Library it requires a lot of time though, and once you're well informed when you hit Aries in your city where they have the best selection of second-hand shops second hand furniture shops etc etc good luck, what you do have to dedicate a lot of your time to the education, and you have to develop an eye you don't look for a Rembrandt you look for someone who is very successful and may get only thousands of dollars for their own rather than Millions, you'll find more people in that area then the ones that get millions have a wonderful weekend and good luck to you

[@handsometall28]

@@waltevans4490 Thank you Walt, notes taken; You have a great weekend as well.

[@florbe8715]

I have two frames with prints of Currier and Eve. The prints look yellow but are in good condition. I Found it in a thirty store. What price would it have?

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Florbe. Yes Currier and Ives prints are wonderful and often worth a few dollars if the frame and glass are original and the print is in good shape. Why not send along photos (front and back) and I will see if I can help you determine a value. Send to [e-mail]

[@santfournier]

This video is still online, the errors and amount of misinformation is tremendously harsh

[@garysmith7760]

What exactly is misinforming?? Do tell.

[@treasurehunter183hunter8]

Thank you very informative. But I never saw a website at the top every time you point at the top it was just black and plain no writing at all today is May 7th 2021 I just came across your video today thank you

[@RescuedArt]

Hi Shirley, Yes our web address used to be at the top of the screen and it has disappeared somehow. I will ask our web master. Thank you.

[@drundbro12]

I came across a painting that says SPIELMANN... maybe oskar but I’m unsure . Could you help ? The back frame is covered with paper to hide canvas & wedges...should i take that off ?

[@RescuedArt]

Oskar Spielman was a famous Swiss painter. Definitely take off the backing paper to see if it says anything. Send along a few photos and I will take a look. www.rescuedart.net

[@drundbro12]

RescuedArt what's the email?

[@RescuedArt]

[e-mail]

[@karenc5370]

How can I get some orientation with a print I got got ???

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Karen. Send along a few photographs of your find and I will take a look. [e-mail]

[@IDVDalot]

theres no link that you talked about

[@RescuedArt]

Say Chris: just go to www.rescuedart.net

[@monicagoodall9529]

i bought a 3 paintings with the name on the front that read point mugu and another purdy basin one more. point pleasant. how would i know if its worth anything

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Monica, Please send along photos of the front and back of your pieces. I will take a look and see what I can find. Thanks for watching. "All people deserve art" [e-mail]

[@garysmith7760]

Monica Goodall, How pathetic is this? Can't you do some research on your own...people please...

[@nancywelch1]

Oh thank you so much..I found a something, can't figure out if it is print or litho signed with a line under the name and a date. It is in a frame but I do not want to touch the paper that it is on it is very old.It was under a stack of other artwork in a Thrift/antique store and it is a very popular artist..Either way it is beautiful..I am going to have to have it checked out for authenticity for insurance reasons..even if I find out that it is a fake, I love it..

[@RescuedArt]

Hello NN. It sounds as if you have rescued a treasure. If you would like, send along a couple photos (front and back) and I will see if I can help with more information. [e-mail]

[@colust]

I have been looking into this. How much are those pieces of art worth approximately. Are valuable pieces of art rare?

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Colust, Thank you for watching our video and for sharing it with others. We have been rescuing art from dusty places for about 5 years. It is a wonderful mission. We enhance the value of the pieces we find in thrift stores,etc., by reworking them back into excellent condition and writing stories about them. The art on out four web-based market places is priced between $22 and $160. We see thousands of pieces of art every year in thrift stores. Yes, it is extremely rare to come upon a very high market value piece. If you enter into this area of saving art from thrift stores, it would be best if do it for the joy of the saving, not making money on a single precious find. "Everybody Deserves Art" Rodney

[@colust]

RescuedArt Thanks, KingHuman made a video a few days ago about how he resells lithographs for good profit.

[@garysmith7760]

GManAffiliateMarketing, Money..money.. go and search. Plenty of engines out there.

[@treasurehunter183hunter8]

@@garysmith7760 I know what you mean when you say money money because when I found the Edgar Degas I thought I would just shout it to the world. Then after it was confirmed what I had I immediately called Sotheby's

[@Yourlocalcat21]

Thank you for saving art!

[@dianaashton3317]

Unfortunately we do not get to actually view what he is talking about. There should be a way to view it close up.

[@colust]

Thanks, I did see a beautiful painting today. It was around $6 dollars. I tried to read the name but just couldn't read who it was buy. How do you learn what paintings to buy and what they are worth? I wish I had the knowledge.

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Colust, Do you have a smart phone? Try Google goggles. Take a picture of the art and it will tell you the artist, name, etc., if it is in their library. For us at Rescued Art it is important that a piece shows well in a photograph for he internet. Also, I need to be sure I can rework the presentation to bring it back to excellent condition. It is rare to save something that does not need repair. One simple thing, in regard to prints, is to look for the artist's pencil signing, i.e., there will be two signatures on the piece, and look for numbers like this 33/300. That means it is limited edition and thus rarer and more valuable. All People Deserve Art Rodney

[@colust]

RescuedArt Brilliant thanks. What if I see an oil painting but cant read the name?

[@garysmith7760]

Gman..., Genius aren't you? Research, study, learn...don't wish, do it.

[@diversegardener392]

Are you the guy from silence of the lambs.

[@phyllismoynihan8183]

I would have like to have know the present value of these rescued art.

[@gordonmusic97]

ive got two paintings,need to find out worth,ones 1937,other is original or painted copy of petunias by manet

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Gordon, Please send along photos, front and back, to [e-mail]. I will take a look. Thanks for watching our video. Rodney

[@josmith8233]

Need to show close ups of each picture.

[@RescuedArt]

Good idea, Joe.. I am afraid my tech was very low eight years ago. But, for my next video (following a piece from rescue to sale) I will remember the need to see the art up close. Thanks

[@janetyoung903]

just so you know you are boxed in your veiwing above your head you can not see anything....

[@MegaTrivial]

This video is about the value of originality of a picture; whether let's say a painting is original, or a copy... The value of art is different, but among other artistic values; it's also depending on the originality of the artist. You may recognize it, when you see that the art works aren't looking like anyone's art you have seen before; and they leave an impression on you, trigger an emotion and curiosity, or stimulate your thinking and dreaming.

[@terimarx9420]

Could I you some photos of an old painting been in my family at least 60 years

[@terimarx9420]

Ve

[@RescuedArt]

Hello Teri. Yes, please send along photographs of the painting. Front and back and closeups of signatures and other good information. I will help if I can. Send to [e-mail]

[@suzannekosic4088]

Ruff-age cultures? What in the world are you talking about?