A 500-YEAR-OLD German Renaissance print found at a dump has sold for £26,500 at auction in Lichfield.
The engraving, by Albrecht Dürer, was rescued from landfill by an 11-year-old boy more than a decade ago.
It went under the hammer at Rare Book Auctions where it surpassed the £10,000 to £20,000 guide price.
Director Jim Spencer said:
“The Dürer was purchased by a private collector in Germany, so this print is going home.
“It’s the most important print I’ve ever catalogued and offered for sale. It was pasted down on a mount, probably around 1900, which affected the value. In excellent, unmounted condition, this is a print that can command sums close to £200,000.”
It was discovered by Mat Winter when he spotted a lady throwing it away and asked if he could have it.
Now 24, Mat said:
“It’s been tucked away at home with all my other antique finds for the last 13 years.
“Recently, I decided to get it checked out to see if it was as special as it looked. I was amazed to find out it was.”
