wow...

http://www.wsmv.com/story/15378337/robert-e-lee-tintype

A one-of-a-kind donation could bring in thousands of dollars for Goodwill.

Someone anonymously donated an antique tintype of Robert E. Lee to Goodwill store in Murfreesboro. The public now has a chance to purchase it at auction.

"The photograph itself is in very good condition. This will take care of a lot of employees for Goodwill," said Michelle Buster-Gouda of Goodwill.

A local expert confirmed the photograph dates back to the Civil War era.

"You have people who donate things on a daily basis, and you never know what's going to come in," said Buster-Gouda.

What an interesting story! I often wonder if these types of anonymous donations the donee even realizes what they have donated. In this area a local goodwill got an alter relic from a Catholic church. The goodwill contact the diocese and it was returned to the church.

I saw that on shopgoodwill.com yesterday...it was at $6,700 on the auction.

Somebody "cleaning out grandma's stuff". Didn't have a clue, likely.
I'm glad someone benefitted from it!

Jan in VA

I'm glad it went to a good cause.

bet the person who donates it wants it back now..

It's already up to $8,000! Someone had no idea what they had!

Or if they did know it was given to a good cause.

I worked for Goodwill years ago way before Ebay! I know some of the items that came though the store were worth a fortune but no way to certify them then. This was in Southern California and every so often an antique appraiser would come through the store and leave pictures of items he was looking for for his clients. Seeing all the old books coming through the store gave me the chance to study them and know which ones were rare or collectible. Some the binding is worth more then what the book is. I can find a book at a yard sale and know what it will sell to the book dealers on Ebay. I contact them, and don't bother with the bidding or listings.

you sometimes hear of someone disposing of an antique coin collection, a bit at a time, in the collection plate at church.