Those are the best finds. Had a similar experience recently. Small odd mixed media type painting, bought it in a box lot at an estate auction for $5 about 6 months ago. Signed and dated 1960. I've picked it up a couple times never found the artist name anywhere. Something about it tells me not to let it go, also it's small enough that it's not taking up space. Had a 'picker' friend over recently and he saw it and said "there's something interesting about this. You should research it". So, I look at it again, google it a bit and find something by the same artist on Ruby Lane for $8500. Dug a little deeper and found some other works at auctions over the last few years, some substantially more although much larger paintings. Took it to a professional and he estimates that we could probably get anywhere from $3000 to $8000 for it.
