Unexpected Treasure
A 285-year-old lemon has proven to be a surprising find as it sold for an impressive £1,400 at an auction. What started as a lighthearted addition to the auction turned into a fierce bidding war.
Hidden Discovery
The lemon was discovered in the back of a cabinet during a house clearance. The sellers, while going through their uncle's possessions, stumbled upon a chest from the 19th century that they thought might hold some value. They decided to bring it to an auctioneer for appraisal.
An Unusual Find
During the process of photographing the cabinet for the sale, the auctioneer made an unexpected discovery – a 2-inch dried, brown citrus fruit hidden in the back of the drawer. The lemon had an inscription on the peel that read: "Given by Mr P Lu Franchini Nov 4 1739 to Miss E Baxter." It is believed to have been brought to England from colonial India as a romantic gift.
A Surprising Auction Result
The auctioneer, David Brettell, decided to have some fun and included the lemon in the auction with an estimated price of £40-£60. However, to everyone's astonishment, the lemon sold for a staggering £1,100 in Newport, Shrops. With fees included, the total amount paid for the lemon reached £1,416. In contrast, the cabinet itself only sold for £32.
A One-of-a-Kind Item
Mr. Brettell believes that the lemon fetched such a high price because of its uniqueness. He stated, "You'll never see an object like this at auction again." The lemon's age, history, and the romantic story behind it likely contributed to its high value.
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