Barn Sale Bargain Turns Out to Be Canadian Art Treasure

A dusty barn sale in the Hamptons is not where most people expect to find a significant work of Canadian art. Yet, that's exactly where New York-based art dealer Allen Treibitz discovered a painting that would eventually sell for hundreds of thousands of Canadian dollars.

Treibitz bought the canvas, signed by Emily Carr, for just $50 while browsing the sale. Initially unfamiliar with Carr or her work, he became intrigued by the painting's unique qualities and began researching it online.

He contacted Heffel Fine Art Auction House in Vancouver, who confirmed that the painting was an authentic 1912 work by Emily Carr. The discovery turned out to be a remarkable bargain find, selling for $349,250 at auction.