Expert: Painting donated to thrift store an authentic John Lyman

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- An art expert said a painting donated to a Newfoundland thrift store appears to be an authentic John Lyman work valued between $6,600 and $14,300.

Elizabeth Scammell-Reynolds, an art expert and appraiser, said she was contacted by thrift store chain Value Village when an employee suspected a painting donated to a location in St. John's, Newfoundland, might be valuable, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Thursday.

"A guy from Value Village phoned me and said that they have a painting that they thought was something real -- and something good," Scammell-Reynolds said.

She told the CBC the painting appears to be an authentic oil painting of a landscape by U.S.-born Canadian modernist painter John Lyman, who died in 1967.

"It's the right age, it's from the right place ... the signature matches," Scammell-Reyolds said.

She said the painting would likely fetch between $6,600 and $14,300 at auction.

Value Village said valuable items like the painting are kept for a time before being sold, in case the former owner comes forward and says the donation was a mistake.