A man buys a lamp for $5.99 at a thrift store and the value increases: “I was excited.”
A man went to a thrift store and ended up finding a lamp for just under $6, but its actual value was much higher.
Charles Lancelot Brochet, a sustainable food systems consultant, was browsing the Goodwill store on Beverly Boulevard with his girlfriend, Sarah, in search of a good deal. Just as they were browsing, an employee wheeled out a cart full of items ready to be placed on the shelves.
Brochet was instantly captivated by a bright orange lamp. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a label that read, “Made in Italy.” He immediately sensed it was more valuable than its price suggested.
Speaking with Newsweek, Brochet said he “was overwhelmed with excitement.” “My body was shaking and I couldn’t concentrate,” said Brochet adding that his girlfriend failed to comprehend what was happening as he was not even able to speak.
#designoftheday The Nesso table lamp, designed by Giancarlo Mattioliis, is part of the Artemide Modern Classics line. Nesso was a marvel of ABS thermoplastic injection-molding when first introduced in 1965. Mod never looked better. https://t.co/s3U2LAew9E pic.twitter.com/bw1uHx3cWk
— David Hill (@dwhilldesign) February 7, 2018
The true value of the lamp
Brochet immediately recognized the lamp’s distinctive design, which evoked a mid-century art movement. It was priced at just $5.99, and Brochet told Newsweek that he was so surprised because “it resembled pieces that [he] saw during an exhibition at the Pompidou museum in Paris.”
Worried that someone might realize the true value of the Goodwill find, he whispered to Sarah: “I bet this lamp is worth something.” He turned it over, as one does when inspecting plates for the maker’s mark, and saw that it was made in Italy. “I said out loud, ’Bingo!’” he recalled.
A quick Google search led him to information on the lamp’s true price, and he said he refused to put it in the cart, worried that a store worker or another patron would recognize the piece.
So, how much is the lamp really worth?
The lamp turned out to be an Artemide Nesso, an iconic mid-century piece originally designed by Giancarlo Mattioli in the 1960s. Known for its bold, futuristic silhouette and vibrant colors, the Nesso remains highly coveted by design enthusiasts. The current market value of the lamp sits around $375.
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