Woman walks into charity shop and can’t believe what she finds as some say it’s ‘worth £1m’
A lucky American woman is being encouraged to cash in after she stumbled upon a unique piece of Oscars history in a thrift shop discovery. Self-proclaimed Star Wars geek, Libbers, was on the hunt for figurines based on the space saga when she found much more than she bargained for.
She excitedly took to TikTok: “I found some action figures and a Jurassic Park VHS tape which I thought was super cool, and then I saw a China cabinet containing things I didn’t think were for sale because inside of it was a whole bunch of Muppets memorabilia that looked like it came from a producer.” After receiving the go-ahead from a member of staff to investigate further, Libbers quickly unearthed the programme for the 1980 Academy Awards, where The Muppet Movie had secured two nominations.
She continued: “Inside was a letter to [Muppets creator] Jim Henson, [puppeteer and filmmaker] Frank Oz and [executive producer] David Lazer as well as a note wishing David good luck.” The discoveries didn’t end there, however, with Libbers revelling in “the more impressive of the two” items she picked up.
WARNING – explicit language in TikTok video below, viewer discretion advised
Her second find left her nearly speechless: an original draft of The Dark Crystal, the ’82 cult classic helm by both Henson and Oz. She couldn’t contain her shock, adding: “This is the fourth draft so not everything in here is even in the movie, which is insane to me,” before commenting, “I’m trying so hard not to scream and jump up and down.”
Upon opening the original script, Libbers was thrilled to see it had been signed and dated by Lazer, the producer. She gushed: “This is actually crazy. This is going to be my prized possession – I will have to put it on display. My Muppet-loving heart is going crazy.”
But the excitement didn’t stop there for Libbers as she revealed the “best part” of her discovery: “I got it for free,” she said with delight. “My mum had just bought $80 [£59] worth of stuff from the thrift shop and I was going to pay $40 [£29.50]. But after I bought the action figures and the VHS, the lady said, ‘Don’t worry about it – you’re good’.”
She concluded with sheer joy: “I am ecstatic right now! This is crazy. It’s The Dark Crystal. Like The Dark Crystal.”
The clip subsequently went viral, with TikTok users expressing their amazement and offering advice to Libbers on what she should do next. One cautioned: “Please get a lawyer if anyone tries to contact you, like for real… do not accept any offer if it’s under 1 million.”
Another admitted their envy at the find, adding: “Jealousy is not even a strong enough word. Also as a 45 year old it makes me happy when younger people still love Muppets and The Dark Crystal.” A third person advised: “Disney is closing Jim Henson’s final legacy piece in Hollywood Studios, you better not sell it to them.”
Whilst a fourth simply suggested: “I’m sure you’re on it already, but get them appraised and insured.” And a fifth emotionally exclaimed: “I would actually start sobbing if I was in your position. The Dark Crystal means so much to me. it’s one of my favourite movies as a kid and one of the reasons why I make puppets today. I’m so glad that it’s in hands that will cherish and take care of it.”
When faced with numerous questions, Libbers further elaborated in the comments section: “For everyone wondering, it was just a regular local thrift store, not a specialty one. David Lazer the producer of The Dark Crystal happened to live in my town upon his passing and the thrift store some how ended up with some of his belongings.”
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