A man bought an old photo for just $2, but experts later revealed it is worth $5 million for capturing a famous figure.
Recently, Randy Guijarro, a collector from California, bought an old photo for just $2.
However, he didn’t know this simple purchase would lead to a shocking revelation about its true value.
The old photo turned out to be valued at $5 million.
The man discovered an old photo at an antique shop
The story began in 2010 when Guijarro visited an antique shop called Fulton’s Folly Antique Collective in Fresno.
While browsing, he came across three old photographs and decided to buy them.
Among these pictures was a black and white tintype that seemed unremarkable at first glance.
It showed a group of people playing croquet outside a barn.
After bringing the photo home, Guijarro took a closer look. To his amazement, he recognized someone in the image.
Who is in the picture?
The figure leaning on a croquet mallet was none other than the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid.
This discovery was significant because Billy the Kid, whose real name was William Bonney, is a legendary figure from American history.
He is known for his wild lifestyle and conflicts during the Wild West era.
The photograph was taken in 1878, capturing a rare moment of leisure just after a wedding.
In the picture, Billy the Kid is surrounded by members of his gang, known as the Regulators.
This was just a month after their involvement in the Lincoln County War, a violent conflict in New Mexico.
Randy Guijarro described the moment he realized who was in the photo.
He said, “You could put a Winchester rifle in his hands. It was the hat, the stance, him leaning on a croquet stick. I thought, my lord, it’s Billy the Kid.”
This moment marked the beginning of a long journey to authenticate the photo.
The man and experts spent 5 years verifying authenticity of the old photo
Guijarro spent five years working with experts to verify the photograph’s authenticity.
This process included using facial recognition technology and conducting historical research.
The discovery gained significant attention, and a National Geographic documentary narrated by Kevin Costner highlighted Guijarro’s journey.
The documentary looked at the cultural and historical importance of the photograph.
It showed how the picture reveals a gentler side of Billy the Kid.
Man stunned after discovering his $2 photo now worth $5M for capturing famous figure
After the experts authenticated the photo, Kagin’s Inc., a firm specializing in numismatics, insured it for $5 million.
This valuation not only reflects the photo’s historical importance but also its rarity in capturing an iconic figure in a casual setting.
Following the valuation, Randy and his wife, Linda, shared their plans for the future.
They expressed a desire to use the proceeds from the eventual sale of the photo to fund more adventures and treasure hunts.
Guijarro mentioned, “We could use a new vehicle. We’d really like to look for lost pieces of history, be it US or worldwide. We love to be adventurers.”
For Guijarro, this experience has been a reaffirmation of his passion for collecting and exploring history.
He hopes his story will encourage others to look through their attics and antique shops.
There might be hidden treasures waiting to be found.
“I hope this prompts others out there to look into trunks and attics because there are so many lost treasures out there,” he said.