> I bet that flea market vendor is kicking themselves in the head. Who sells a 1788 first edition of any book for $7?<
There was a true story about a person who was “accidentally” sold a copy of the Declaration of the Independence in a flea market as well, so if it’s your day...
It could be that Janet Napolitano considers possession of such a book highly suspicious, like possesion of a pocket Constitution. Best to dispense of it quietly.
There was another one recently about a volunteer who noticed an original painting among the stuff at a thrift store. It was appraised and set for auction, possibly for over $100,000, which will go to the store. It happens.
As the generation gap divides elderly people who appreciated antiquities and young people who grew up on MTV, I think there will be a lot more unrealized treasures found in the Goodwill shop.