🖊️ 15—Showbiz Legends
TREASURES
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✩ Legendary Treasures ✩
█ A-Z // Fortunes Found 🔗 - [ i ]
Showbiz, 15 Finds, $75 Million+
Hidden Treasures Found in Everyday Places
Some of the most astonishing treasures aren’t buried underground—they’re 'hidden' in plain sight. News reports have uncovered remarkable showbiz memorabilia in ordinary settings, from trash bags to garage boxes. By exploring the map, you can trace how different treasure eras, styles, and locations shaped these unexpected finds.
A few legendary examples from the list include:
- $1 million for a dress found in a trash bag
- $2 million for a comic discovered in a storage unit
- $3 Million for a prop uncovered in a garage box
Overlooked for years, these surprising discoveries reveal how valuable treasures can be—even when hiding in plain sight. Explore the full list below the ad ☟
14—Legendary Finds:
1. Ruby Rescue—$32 Million for 1939 Wizard of Oz Slippers Recovery
📽️ 📅 2024 Report: In Grand Rapids, Minnesota (USA), a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz—stolen in a 2005 museum heist—was recovered in an FBI sting. Estimated at over $3 million, the slippers later sold for $32 million (after this video was filmed), including fees. Originally on loan from a private collector, the iconic shoes were buried for years in a backyard plastic box. Full story in a six-minute video.
Video: 🔗 PBS NewsHour / YouTube
2. Trash to Treasure—$14 Million for ‘Citizen Kane’ Sled Saved from Studio Dump
📰 📅 2025 Report: In Los Angeles, California, USA, a rare sled from the 1941 film Citizen Kane—known as “Rosebud”—was rescued from a studio trash pile in 1984 and sold at auction for $14.75 million in 2025. Gifted to director Joe Dante during a Paramount lot clean-out, the screen-used prop is one of only a few ever made.
Story and images: 🔗 The Hollywood Reporter
3. Hofner Harmony—Priceless $12 Million Beatles Bass Bought with Beer in London
📽️ 📅 2024 Report: In London, UK, Paul McCartney's long-lost Hofner bass guitar—used during The Beatles' rise to fame—was recovered after 50 years. At the time, numerous news agencies valued the instrument at $12 million. Stolen in 1972, the priceless artifact was reportedly traced to a local pub, where it was said to have traded hands for 'a few quid' (a few bucks) and free beer, according to investigative journalists. Its rarity and historical significance are unmatched. Full story in a two-minute video.
Video: 🔗 NBC News / YouTube
4. Bullitt Mustang Marvel—$3.7 Million for Movie Car Once Bought for $3,500
📽️ 📅 2020 Report: An iconic 1968 Ford Mustang GT, featured in the film Bullitt, sold at auction in Florida, USA, for $3.74 million (including fees)—a record for the model. Originally bought in 1974 for $3,500 by a family in the northeastern United States, the car reportedly served as their daily driver for years. The family even declined a buyback offer from Steve McQueen. Full story in a one-minute video.Video: 🔗 CBS Mornings / YouTube
5. X-Wing Marvel—$3.1 Million for 'Star Wars' Model Found in Garage Box
📰 📅 2023 Report: In the US, a 'Star Wars' X-wing fighter model missing for decades was found in a box in a garage and fetched a record $3.1 million at auction—becoming the most expensive 'Star Wars' prop ever auctioned.
Story and images: 🔗 The Hollywood Reporter
6. Superman Surprise—$2.1 Million (£1.4M) for 1938 Comic Found in Storage Unit
📰 📅 2011 Report: A rare 1938 Action Comics No. 1 featuring Superman’s debut sold for $2.1 million (about £1.4 million at the time), setting a record at the time as the most valuable comic ever auctioned. Originally purchased for 10 cents, the pristine copy was recovered from a California storage unit after being reportedly stolen from actor Nicolas Cage in 2000. Only about 100 copies are known to exist.
Story and image: 🔗 BBC
7. Star Trek Stash—$1.7 Million for Shatner’s Phaser and Communicator Found in Box
📰 📅 2024 Report: A pair of iconic Star Trek props used by William Shatner was unveiled after being hidden for 50 years. The items—Shatner's phaser and communicator—were initially expected to fetch between $100,000 and $200,000 each. However, after this article was published, the phaser sold for $910,000, while the communicator brought $780,000—nearly $1.7 million combined. According to media reports, the props were found in a box by the descendants of the Hollywood prop veteran.
Story and images: 🔗 Barron's
8. Emerald Attire—$1.2 Million for 'Wizard of Oz' Dress Discovered in Trash Bag
📰 📅 2023 Report: In the US, a New York judge dismissed a lawsuit over a rare 'Wizard of Oz' dress found in a university trash bag. Valued at $800,000 to $1.2 million, the dress is now potentially clear for auction.
Story and image: 🔗 CNBC
9. Jackson Gold—Million Dollar Tapes Found in California Storage Unit
📰 📅 2024 Report: A father in California, USA, discovered unreleased Michael Jackson recordings while sorting through an abandoned storage unit once owned by producer Bryan Loren. The tapes feature 12 tracks from 1989-1991, including rare collaborations and Jackson discussing his music. The estimated value is in the seven-digit range.
Story and images: 🔗 The Hollywood Reporter
10. Bond Car Bonanza—$997,000 for 007 Submarine Found in $100 Storage Unit
📰 📽️ 📅 2019 Report: In Long Island, New York, USA, a couple found an underwater car from a James Bond film in a storage unit bought for $100. This rare, film-used submarine car, was later sold to Elon Musk for $997,000. Its initial discovery and immense historical and cinematic value make it a priceless find.
Story, video, and images: 🔗 Popular Mechanics
11. Enterprise Enigma—$800,000 for 'Star Trek' Model Found in Storage Unit
📰 📅 2024 Report: In Van Nuys, California, a long-missing model of the U.S.S. Enterprise from the original Star Trek TV series was discovered in a storage locker purchased at auction. Reportedly valued at up to $800,000, an initial agreement was made to sell it for $500,000. Found by storage unit entrepreneurs who purchased the locker sight unseen, the model has sparked a legal battle over its ownership. This discovery highlights not only its immense cultural value and rarity but also how significant finds can, on occasion, lead to complex legal disputes.
Story and images: 🔗 Los Angeles Times
12. Monster Art Marvel—$600,000 for Rare 1931 Movie Poster Found at Yard Sale
📽️ 📅 2013 Report: In a stunning discovery of vintage poster art at a northern California, USA, tag sale, a buyer uncovered an original 1931 'Frankenstein' movie poster hidden inside a used briefcase. The briefcase, purchased as old luggage for a nominal fee, contained a priceless six-sheet poster—long thought nonexistent. This rare find, now considered the most valuable movie poster ever, underscores its unique historical significance. Experts later estimated the poster's value at over $600,000. Full story in a 10-minute video.
Video: 🔗 Amazing Treasures via Metropolis / YouTube
13. Dylan Drafts—$508,000 for 1965 Song Lyrics Rescued from Trash in New Jersey
📰 📅 2025 Report: In the USA, early typewritten drafts of Bob Dylan’s 1965 song Mr. Tambourine Man sold for $508,000 (£417,000) at auction. The drafts, featuring three versions of the lyrics with annotations, were discarded by Dylan in 1964 at journalist Al Aronowitz’s New Jersey home. Rescued from the trash, they became a music treasure.
Story and images: 🔗 The Guardian
14. Prized Puppets—$368,000 for Star TV Props Found in Attic
📽️ 📅 2021 Report: In the U.S., a pair of original puppets from the 1964 television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was discovered in an attic years earlier—proving to be a priceless find due to their rarity and iconic status. Initially estimated at $8,000-$10,000, they fetched $368,000 at auction after restoration and were eventually donated to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. Full story in a five-minute video.
Video: 🔗 PBS Antiques Roadshow / YouTube
15. Flea Market Find—£100K ($130,000) for £25 James Bond Watch
📰 📅 2013 Report: A watch purchased for just £25 (around $32) at a flea market, known in the UK as a car boot sale, was later auctioned for £103,875 (approximately $131,900 in 2024) after being identified as a unique Breitling worn by Sean Connery in the film 'Thunderball.' Originally valued at £30,000-£60,000, the watch, discovered in a bargain bin, was the first of its kind adapted by the Bond film's art department with a Geiger counter. This rare find from a casual sale highlights its priceless cinematic history.
Story and images: 🔗 Daily Mail
These inspiring discoveries reveal the untapped potential of everyday spaces as hidden treasure troves. Explore the top 40 finds below the ad ☟
█ A-Z // Top 40 Topics - [ i ]
Stuff & Spots: 120 Legends
- Antique
- Art
- Attic
- Auction
- Barn Find
- Basement
- Bizarre
- Book & Script
- Box & Trunk
- Camera & Photo
- Car & Motorcycle
- Closet & Cabinet
- Clothing & Fashion
- Coin & Banknote
- Collectible
- Comic
- Doll & Bear
- Drawer & Dresser
- Dumpster & Trash
- Electronic & Tech
- Estate Sale
- Flea Market
- Hidden in Plain Sight
- Jewelry, Gem, Watch
- Metal Detecting
- Music, Vinyl, Memorabilia
- Musical Instrument
- Online
- Pottery, Glass, Ceramic
- Random
- Shed & Garage
- Shelf & Mantel
- Shipwreck
- Showbiz
- Sports
- Storage Locker
- Thrifting
- Toy
- Video Game
- Yard Sale