Memorabilia Found (or Almost Thrown Out!)
We’ve all had that moment when we dig through old boxes in the attic or basement, hoping to stumble upon a hidden treasure. But for some lucky folks, that dream came true in the most spectacular way possible! From items almost discarded to others discovered by pure chance, here are the most valuable pieces of celebrity and sports memorabilia ever found by accident. If this inspires you to hunt for your own hidden gems, Memorabilia Vault can help you add some intentional treasures to your collection!
7. The Original Superman Comic Found in a Wall – $175,000
In 2013, a contractor in Minnesota found something extraordinary while renovating an old house—a copy of Action Comics No. 1, the first-ever appearance of Superman. The comic was stuffed inside a wall for insulation (imagine almost throwing it away as junk!). Despite some damage, it sold for $175,000, proving that superhero origin stories can happen in real life too!
6. Michael Jordan’s Rookie Jersey – $52,500
In the late ‘80s, a ball boy for the Chicago Bulls was given a jersey by none other than Michael Jordan himself. It wasn’t until decades later that he realized it was one of Jordan’s rookie jerseys—an item collectors drool over. When he finally put it up for auction, it sold for $52,500. Not bad for a jersey he almost left hanging in his closet!
5. Joe DiMaggio’s Autographed Baseball Found at a Yard Sale – $1,500
Yard sales often turn up some unexpected finds, but a lucky collector couldn’t believe it when they spotted a baseball signed by legendary New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio. Purchased for just a couple of bucks, the ball turned out to be worth over $1,500. A small treasure, but a big win!
4. Honus Wagner T206 Card Found in a Junk Drawer – $2.1 Million
Talk about a find of a lifetime! A man discovered a Honus Wagner T206 baseball card, one of the rarest and most valuable sports cards, in a drawer of old family junk. After taking it to an appraiser, he found out it was worth a jaw-dropping $2.1 million. What was almost tossed aside became one of the most prized sports cards in history!
3. John Lennon’s Draft of "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" Found in a Piano Bench – $354,400
While cleaning out an old piano bench in 2014, a man found a handwritten draft of The Beatles' song Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! penned by John Lennon himself. What could have easily been thrown away turned out to be a piece of rock 'n' roll history, eventually selling for $354,400 at auction. Not a bad day’s work for spring cleaning!
2. Marilyn Monroe’s Lost Nude Calendar – $11,000
In the 1940s, a photographer’s forgotten pin-up calendar featuring Marilyn Monroe before she became a star was almost discarded during a house cleaning. Fortunately, it was rescued and years later fetched $11,000 at auction, becoming one of Monroe’s rarest memorabilia pieces. What almost got tossed became a hidden gem from one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars.
1. The Declaration of Independence Hidden Behind a Painting – $2.4 Million
While not sports or celebrity memorabilia in the traditional sense, this find is too incredible to leave out! In 1989, a man bought a painting at a flea market for $4. Behind the canvas, he discovered an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, one of just 24 known to exist. When it sold at auction, it fetched an unbelievable $2.4 million. Now that’s what we call a lucky find!