I have my doubts about this photograph costing $2 in a “junk” shop. The image appears to be a tintype and anyone who deals with antiques should know that outdoor view tintypes with unusual subjects are worth some $$$$$. it is a desirable large size image and even if this were a group of nobody’s, that image could easily bring in the $100-200 range.
I think the backstory might be BS, kind of like the famous “watermelon” sword tale.
I was wondering, even with all you said, who looked at this picture and went.....yeah that’s someone famous. I’m gonna take it and have someone look at it.
If it had wound up in a box I bought I probably would’ve thought it was really cool and put it away so it wouldn’t be destroyed but wouldn’t have thought anything like that.