Hidden Treasures Found in the Attic

The attic can be an intriguing place for unearthing long lost treasures, and whilst for many of us that usually means old board games with more sentimental value than anything, now and again you hear stories of some truly incredible finds. So, here's a list of 3 of the most valuable objects discovered in the attic. Because you never know what's tucked away in the dust-filled, cobwebbed upper corners of the house.

The Discovery of Superman

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Everybody knows that Superman, aka Son of Jor-El, aka Clarke Kent, was found when he was just a few minutes old; amongst the burning wreckage of his space-pod, which had crash-landed somewhere on the rural outskirts of Metropolis. Well, most people know this. What you probably don't know is that more than 70 years later, he was rediscovered in the attic of a dilapidated house in South America. Not the actual Superman, obviously, but his first official appearance in print; Action Comics #1, and eventually went on to sell at auction for $175,000. It may not have been the most valuable item on this list, but it did provide the property owners with the funds to transform a fixer-upper into their dream home. That's what we like to call a super story!

Unloved Van Gogh

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Vincent Van Gogh was as much renowned for his reclusive nature as he was for his artistic talent. In 1991, a previously unknown landscape by the Dutch painter was discovered in an attic in Norway, after what is said to be more than 100 years in hiding. The painting, The Sunset At Montmajour, was first thought to be a fake upon its discovery because it was unsigned and - much like Van Gogh himself - went unappreciated and unloved for quite some time. It wasn't until nearly two decades later that it was eventually authenticated and valued at more than $1 million.

Toy with Doll-ar Value

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Stashed away in a New York attic for more than 70 years, this Faberge figurine was discovered by a museum curator who realised the historical significance of the piece. It was commissioned by Russian Czar Nicholas II, for his wife Empress Alexandra - one of only 50 of its kind to be crafted in the early 20th century. How it ended up in somebody's attic on the other side of the world is uncertain. Some have suggested it might have been stolen or smuggled out of the country during the revolution of 1914. Regardless, the doll was authenticated and valued at $500,000 to $800,000, and eventually went on to sell at auction for $5.2 million.