Man's $3 Goodwill purchase leads to $190K profit

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WHDH) -- An art auction proved quite profitable for a Bay State native when a trip to goodwill turned up a valuable painting.

It all started with a $3 purchase.

With his new found fortune, the 81-year-old wants to keep his identity under wraps as much as possible, so he's only being identified by his middle name -- Leroy.

“It's that one thing you're always looking for,” he said. “’I'd like to get the big one, I'd like to get the big one.’ Well that was the big one. I can only thank Goodwill for that."

The former antiques dealer from Massachusetts says he is an avid thrift store shopper.

The majority of the items in his home were bought at second hand stores.

“I go to the Goodwill probably four times a week,” he said.

About a year and half ago, he came to the goodwill store on south main street in Anderson where he bought an oil painting for $3!

“I might not know exactly what it is worth, I just know whether it’s a good piece or it is not a good piece,” Leroy said. “And that's what happened with the painting; I figured it was 1800s, I didn't realize 1650 was the age of it. For that age -- great picture, great picture.”

A few weeks ago his daughter in law visited the Antiques Road Show and got an initial appraisal of $20,000 - $30,000. However at an auction house in Massachusetts, it brought in much more than that.

“$190,000 -- that's a lot of money,” Leroy said. “A lot of money.”

The still life painting was painted in Amsterdam 362 years ago.

“I haunt Goodwill a lot,” Leroy said. “Just a terrific place to buy, terrific prices if you know what you are looking for.”