In Fresno, California, a man made an extraordinary discovery at a garage sale when he bought a vintage photograph for just $2. This seemingly insignificant purchase turned out to be worth an astonishing $5 million.
What made the photo so valuable? It depicts the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid playing croquet. The photo's worth was confirmed earlier this month after Kagin’s Inc., a respected numismatics firm, authenticated the image. Measuring 4 inches by 5 inches, the tintype shows Billy the Kid and his gang, The Regulators, during the summer of 1878, possibly at a wedding.
David McCarthy, senior numismatist at Kagin’s, explained that the authentication process took over a year, involving a detailed examination by a team of experts. “This discovery is akin to finding the Holy Grail of Western Americana,” McCarthy said. “After extensive study, including on-site inspection, we now have overwhelming evidence supporting the image’s authenticity.”
This photo now stands alongside the only other known image of Billy the Kid, which was taken in 1880 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico and sold for $2.3 million in 2010.
Billy the Kid, also known as Henry McCarty or William H. Bonney, is a legendary figure in American folklore, famous for his life as a thief and gunfighter. Though folklore claims he was responsible for 21 killings, historical records suggest the true number was closer to nine. His life ended in 1881 when Sheriff Pat Garrett tracked him down and brought him to justice at Fort Sumner.
The discovery of this newly authenticated photo adds a fascinating chapter to the saga of one of the Wild West’s most iconic figures, transforming a simple garage sale find into a priceless piece of American history.
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