Painting left at..Goodwill... $40,000

Do you know anyone that has cleaned out their attic recently?

Painting left at Md. Goodwill auctions for $40,000 

EASTON, Md. - An old painting dropped off at a rural Maryland Goodwill store turned out to be a work by a French Impressionist. And now, thanks to the sharp eye of a store employee, the charitable organization is $40,000 richer.

The Parisian street scene, left at the store in March along with daily donations of pots, pans, old clock radios and other items, turned out to be a work by Edouard-Leon Cortes, probably from the early 20th century.

The painting — called "Marche aux fleurs" or "Flower Market" — was sold for $40,600 at a Sotheby's auction a few weeks ago.

"It could have very easily ended up put in a pile, marked for $20," says Ursula Villar, marketing and development director for Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake Inc.

Here's the article. You have to copy and paste it. Cheers, Blenda

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080625/ap_on_fe_st/odd_goodwill_painting