The headline reads Undiscovered master piece sells for millions at Auction. The family was overjoyed to discover that a picture that had hung on their grandfathers wall for years attracted a six figure price at auction. Grandson and heir said The whole family knew he collected odds and ends but we never envisaged it would amount to anything.
Ok the above is fiction, but its whats at the back of the majority of collectors minds, especially those who collect art. Buy it cheap and sell it for squillions. Just dont rely on it as your retirement fund. In many respects it is a lottery, your betting your collection decision against that fickle beast, public opinion. The beauty of the art collecting lottery is you can hang the ticket on your wall. A win, win situation, your wall decorations are working for you and all your friends can admire your taste.
Now that can be scary, because 90 out of 100 people know damn all about art. If it isnt chocolate box pretty it isnt art, right. Wrong, have a look at the masters of art in your local museum or better still here on the internet and see how many pretty pictures you can find. Look at Picasso, Gauguin, Pollock, Matisse,...