Some years ago I read an absolutely fascinating paperback book about art discoveries. It told several tales of people finding old items that turned out be forgotten masterpieces. Someone would think “This is a work by…” and then proceed to prove it. Two I recall were a garden ornament that turned out to be a bronze by a famous European sculptor that was worth a fortune and a painting of an American revolutionary figure that turned out to be an original not a copy.
I loaned the book to a guy at work who had a nervous breakdown and never returned. Neither did the book. All that I am certain of is that the book was published in England.
Ring a bell?