Explore how everyday things left by celebrities become hidden treasures, fetching surprising amounts of money.
Ever heard the saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure”? Well, it seems that holds true even for the world of celebrities.
We all have our favorite stars, eagerly awaiting their latest movies, songs, or series. But what if I told you that you could actually get your hands on artifacts straight from the trash of your beloved celebrities?
Discard to Delight
CNN reports that original scripts from the iconic sitcom “Friends,” discovered in a trash can 25 years ago, are now hitting the auction house Hanson Ross.
Fans of the show can now bid online for scripts from two episodes that revolve around Ross’s wedding, both filmed in London.
The scripts in question, for “The One With Ross’s Wedding Part I and Part II,” were supposed to be destroyed after filming at Fountain Studios in Wembley to prevent spoilers.
However, an employee found them in the trash and stashed them away in a drawer.
Dating back to 1998, these scripts captured the memorable moments. The main characters traveled to England to witness Ross (David Schwimmer) tying the knot with Emily (Helen Baxendale).
Legacy of Laughter
According to The Independent, Auctioneers have set a guide price for the pair at £600 to £800, proving that even discarded treasures can fetch a pretty penny.
Amanda Butler, head of operations at auction house Hansons, remarks, “Friends’ final show aired 20 years ago in 2004 but it’s still watched and enjoyed by millions.”
The former studio employee, who stumbled upon these scripts, shared their story on the auctioneer’s site. They reminisced about the bustling atmosphere during the episode filming.
“I found them in a bin a couple of weeks after filming had finished,” they recall. “It wasn’t until I checked through the box a few months later that I found them. Recently I’ve been clearing my house ahead of a move and I came across them again.”
Interestingly, they admit they weren’t a big fan of the show, stating, “American humor is different to ours. These scripts deserve to be owned by a big Friends fan.”
Star-Studded Throwaways
The idea of auctioning off celebrity discards might sound bizarre, but it’s not a new trend.
Let’s take a look at some instances where seemingly insignificant items turned into lucrative collectibles:
Kurt Cobain’s Paper Plate
Julien’s Auctions recently sold a paper plate for an astonishing $22,400, and here’s the twist—it’s not just any plate.
As per CNBC, This humble item once held a slice of pizza eaten by Kurt Cobain, the Nirvana frontman, who also used it as his impromptu setlist during a 1990 performance.
Justin Timberlake’s Abandoned French Toast
Back in 2000, Justin Timberlake, still a member of ‘N Sync, made an unexpected splash on eBay after an interview on Z-100 radio in New York City.
During the chat, he was served French Toast, left untouched, which a station employee decided to auction.
Kathy Summers, a 19-year-old fan happily purchased the unique item for $1,025. Summers jokingly mentioned her plan to freeze-dry it and put it on her dresser.
As for the reason Timberlake left the French Toast unfinished, she quipped to Entertainment Weekly that it looked “a little bit on the burnt side.”
This quirky auction, according to reports, injected a playful note into Timberlake’s fan interactions.
Britney Spears’ Partially Eaten Food and Used Pregnancy Test
According to Today, In 2006, pop sensation Britney Spears and then-husband Kevin Federline found themselves unintentional eBay stars after a peculiar dining experience.
Supposedly munching on an egg salad sandwich and a corn dog at an undisclosed hotel affair, Spears left her sandwich unfinished. Federline, on the other hand, abandoned his corn dog.
Seizing the opportunity, a server placed these remnants on Australian eBay. The Golden Palace Casino emerged victorious in a bidding war, shelling out $520 for Spears’ uneaten food.
In a twist of fate, a year prior, Spears’ alleged used pregnancy test from a Los Angeles hotel ended up in the hands of an Ottawa radio station.
Again, the Golden Palace Casino triumphed in the bidding, this time forking over a hefty $5,001.
As per CNBC, the proceeds from these quirky auctions were directed towards charitable causes.
The funds benefited the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Easter Seal Society, respectively.
Elvis Presley’s Empty Quaalude Bottle
Even though Elvis Presley passed away 42 years ago, people are still making money from his stuff.
In 2016, they sold his empty pill bottle for $8,320 at Julien’s Auctions.
The prescription was from Dr. George C. Nichopoulos, also known as “Dr. Nick,” dated January 20, 1977.
It came from Dr. Elias Ghanem’s house in Las Vegas, who treated Elvis. His estate gave Julien’s Auctions a letter saying it’s real.
John Lennon’s Tooth
According to CNN, in 2011, Canadian dentist Michael Zuk purchased John Lennon’s tooth from the Omega Auction House for $31,200.
The rotten molar, extracted from the late Beatle’s mouth, found an unusual second life. Lennon handed it to his housekeeper, Dorothy “Dot” Jarlett, suggesting it as a souvenir for her Beatles-loving sister during a casual kitchen chat.
Passed down through the family, the tooth, too fragile for a DNA test, was authenticated by the auction house based on its origin from Lennon’s housekeeper.
So, the next time you think about throwing something away, remember, it might just be a future treasure for someone else.
Even celebrities’ cast-offs can find new life and value in the hands of eager collectors.
Banner photo via Instagram @friends.
