You won't believe how much this Aussie made from a $500 garage sign
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Sometimes, the most unassuming items tucked away in the corners of our homes can turn out to be hidden treasures.
This was precisely the case for one homeowner who made an astonishing profit from a garage sign that had been gathering dust for decades.
The sign, a century-old Shell motor oil relic, fetched a jaw-dropping $133,975 at an auction, setting a new Australian record and leaving the seller—and the auction world—absolutely stunned.
The story of this remarkable find begins in a remote property in Roma, Queensland, where the sign had been part of the garage scenery for about 35 years.
The owner, who had originally purchased it for a mere $500 from an old panel/painting business, could never have imagined the windfall that awaited him.
It was only after a call to Ashley Burns of Burns and Co Auctions in Victoria that the true value of this 'garagenalia' (garage memorabilia or collectibles) began to unfold.
Ashley Burns, an auctioneer with a decade of experience, recognised the potential of the blue enamel 'stick man' sign almost immediately.
After a 3,200km trek to collect the antique, a simple 'light' clean revealed the sign's pristine condition. The sign's value lay not just in its age but also in its rarity and condition.
The record-breaking memorabilia has made headlines online and in the auction world. Image source: Burns and Co
Measuring an impressive 1.8 metres tall and 2.7 metres wide, the sign is composed of three separate panels, each one a testament to the craftsmanship of a bygone era.
The auctioneer explained to Yahoo News Australia that the sign's value was boosted by several factors: its age, the original gloss that had stood the test of time, and its size.
But perhaps most importantly, the subject matter itself was a collector's dream. Pictorial, embossed enamel signs, especially those bearing the Shell brand, are highly sought after in the world of memorabilia.
As the auction date approached, anticipation built up, fueled by social media buzz and pre-bidding that commenced 20 days before the live event. By the time the auction was underway, the sign had already reached a bid of $75,000.
Collectors from far and wide engaged in a fierce bidding war, driving the price up until the final hammer sealed the deal at a record-breaking $133,975 also set by Burns and Co Auctions.
The new record holder’s value is 30 per cent higher than the previous one.
This sale not only made headlines but also highlighted the burgeoning market for garage memorabilia. According to Burns, the value of memorabilia related to the motor industry has tripled in the past five to seven years.
The trend was further accelerated by the rise of the 'man cave' phenomenon during COVID lockdowns when online auctions became a popular pastime for enthusiasts confined to their homes.
The success story of this Shell motor oil sign serves as a reminder to all of us to take a second look at the items we have stashed away. Who knows what treasures might be hiding in plain sight?
If you have a piece of history sitting in your garage, it might just be time to dust it off and find out its worth. Sometimes, the things we've held onto for years can have more than just sentimental value. They can be a goldmine.
Before you consider throwing out that old sign or piece of memorabilia, it might be worth having it valued. You never know, you could be sitting on the next record-breaking auction item.
Have you ever discovered a valuable item in your home that you initially thought was just clutter? Share your stories with us in the comments below, and let's celebrate the unexpected treasures that life can bring.
This was precisely the case for one homeowner who made an astonishing profit from a garage sign that had been gathering dust for decades.
The sign, a century-old Shell motor oil relic, fetched a jaw-dropping $133,975 at an auction, setting a new Australian record and leaving the seller—and the auction world—absolutely stunned.
The story of this remarkable find begins in a remote property in Roma, Queensland, where the sign had been part of the garage scenery for about 35 years.
The owner, who had originally purchased it for a mere $500 from an old panel/painting business, could never have imagined the windfall that awaited him.
It was only after a call to Ashley Burns of Burns and Co Auctions in Victoria that the true value of this 'garagenalia' (garage memorabilia or collectibles) began to unfold.
Ashley Burns, an auctioneer with a decade of experience, recognised the potential of the blue enamel 'stick man' sign almost immediately.
After a 3,200km trek to collect the antique, a simple 'light' clean revealed the sign's pristine condition. The sign's value lay not just in its age but also in its rarity and condition.
The record-breaking memorabilia has made headlines online and in the auction world. Image source: Burns and Co
Measuring an impressive 1.8 metres tall and 2.7 metres wide, the sign is composed of three separate panels, each one a testament to the craftsmanship of a bygone era.
The auctioneer explained to Yahoo News Australia that the sign's value was boosted by several factors: its age, the original gloss that had stood the test of time, and its size.
But perhaps most importantly, the subject matter itself was a collector's dream. Pictorial, embossed enamel signs, especially those bearing the Shell brand, are highly sought after in the world of memorabilia.
As the auction date approached, anticipation built up, fueled by social media buzz and pre-bidding that commenced 20 days before the live event. By the time the auction was underway, the sign had already reached a bid of $75,000.
Collectors from far and wide engaged in a fierce bidding war, driving the price up until the final hammer sealed the deal at a record-breaking $133,975 also set by Burns and Co Auctions.
The new record holder’s value is 30 per cent higher than the previous one.
This sale not only made headlines but also highlighted the burgeoning market for garage memorabilia. According to Burns, the value of memorabilia related to the motor industry has tripled in the past five to seven years.
The trend was further accelerated by the rise of the 'man cave' phenomenon during COVID lockdowns when online auctions became a popular pastime for enthusiasts confined to their homes.
The success story of this Shell motor oil sign serves as a reminder to all of us to take a second look at the items we have stashed away. Who knows what treasures might be hiding in plain sight?
If you have a piece of history sitting in your garage, it might just be time to dust it off and find out its worth. Sometimes, the things we've held onto for years can have more than just sentimental value. They can be a goldmine.
Before you consider throwing out that old sign or piece of memorabilia, it might be worth having it valued. You never know, you could be sitting on the next record-breaking auction item.
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