Thrift Store Find Leads to Civil War-Era Discovery

Samantha Ramsdell, exploring an antique shop in Arundel, Maine, stumbled upon a noteworthy find. She bought a picture frame for $15, charmed by its antique look, intending to discard the photo inside. “I honestly just loved the frame,” Ramsdell shared with Newsweek, “The photo that was in it was a little freaky, but I really just wanted to buy it for the nice antique frame.”

Antiques continue to captivate consumers in the U.S. and Canada. A 2025 survey involving over 2,600 antique dealers and appraisers highlighted this persistent interest. Younger collectors are emerging as a significant demographic. Antiques attract people for different reasons. Some appreciate the uniqueness and nostalgia, others the craft and history absent from newer mass-produced items. Buying antiques also presents an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new goods.

Ramsdell quickly discovered an unexpected history tied to her purchase. She loved the frame’s look, but upon removing the backing at home, found a hidden photograph. To her surprise, it was a George Washington lithograph.

An avid collector, Ramsdell consulted fellow collectors and pursued online research. She learned the lithograph could be worth far more than the $15 she paid. “It’s an original lithograph of George Washington from 1864 during the Civil War,” Ramsdell explained. “From what I’ve seen, it could be worth more than $500.”

She speculated on how it ended up concealed. “Perhaps it was intentionally concealed,” she suggested. “I was thinking maybe the original owner had passed away and someone donated it without knowing what was behind it.”

Despite its potential value, Ramsdell is in no rush to sell. “Right now I’m keeping it. I’m sure it will go up in value over time as long as I keep it in good condition, unless someone wants to make me an offer,” she remarked.

In the meantime, Ramsdell contacted a local historical society to uncover more about the lithograph. She aims for her discovery to inspire more people to explore secondhand shopping. “You never know what might be hiding behind an old photo or tucked away in the pocket of a vintage jacket,” she noted.