A $2 Flea Market Find Turns into a $5 Million Discovery
Imagine spending just $2 at a flea market and stumbling upon an artifact worth millions. This incredible story belongs to Randy Guijarro, a collector whose seemingly ordinary purchase led to an extraordinary discovery. His find—a rare photograph of Billy the Kid playing croquet—captured not only a piece of history but also the attention of the world.
A Serendipitous Discovery
In 2010, Randy Guijarro, a telecommunications technician, was browsing Fulton’s Folly Antique Collective in Fresno, California. On his way home from work, he stumbled upon a merchant selling items from “trash boxes.” The merchant explained they were cleaning out a warehouse and wanted to offload the contents.
With just $2 in his pocket, Randy sifted through the items and selected three tintypes—small, metal photographic images. Among them was an image of people playing croquet. Intrigued by its composition, he had no idea at the time that he was holding a piece of Wild West history.
“It was the way the croquet players were positioned,” Randy later recalled. “I liked the composition, but I had no inkling it was anything more than a quirky old photo.”
It wasn’t until he examined the image under a microscope at home that he recognized a familiar face. There, leaning casually on a croquet mallet, was a man in a distinctive hat—Billy the Kid, the notorious outlaw.
Verifying the Impossible
Billy the Kid, also known as Henry McCarty, is one of the most infamous figures of the Wild West. He was said to have killed 21 men before being gunned down by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881 at the age of 21. Historians debate the accuracy of this number, but the legend of Billy the Kid endures.
The only confirmed photograph of Billy the Kid until Randy’s discovery was a tintype of the outlaw holding a Winchester rifle. That image sold at auction in 2011 for $2.3 million.
Realizing the potential significance of his find, Randy and his wife, Linda, embarked on a five-year journey to authenticate the photograph.
A Rigorous Authentication Process
The couple enlisted the help of forensic analysts, historians, and facial recognition experts. They meticulously examined the tintype to confirm the identities of the individuals depicted. The photograph showed Billy the Kid alongside members of his gang, the Regulators, in New Mexico in 1878.
The image was taken just weeks after the bloody Lincoln County War, a violent conflict over economic and political control in the region. In the photograph, Billy the Kid and his gang appear relaxed, playing croquet—a rare glimpse of leisure in a turbulent era.
The team also identified the schoolhouse in Chavez County, New Mexico, where the photograph was taken. Historical records and on-site investigations confirmed the location, solidifying the photograph’s authenticity.
A Multi-Million Dollar Treasure
The rare tintype is now insured for $5 million by Kagin’s Inc., a California-based numismatics company. The photograph’s value lies not only in its historical significance but also in its rarity; it is one of only two known photographs of Billy the Kid.
The Guijarros plan to sell the photograph, but they remain grounded despite their newfound fortune. “We don’t count our chickens before they hatch,” Randy said. “But there’s definitely interest.”
A Lifelong Passion for Treasure Hunting
Randy’s discovery is the culmination of a lifelong passion for collecting. He and Linda have spent years scouring flea markets and antique stores for unique finds. Their collection includes coins, sports memorabilia, and vintage photographs.
“This is about more than just the money,” Randy explained. “It’s the thrill of the hunt. The excitement of finding something forgotten, something lost to time.”
The couple has big plans for their windfall. They intend to pay off bills, help family and friends, and invest in future adventures. “We love exploring history,” Linda said. “This find inspires us to keep searching for those hidden treasures.”
A Lesson for Aspiring Treasure Hunters
Randy hopes his story encourages others to take a closer look at their own belongings. “There are so many treasures out there,” he said. “Check your attics, your trunks, your old photos. You never know what you might find.”
Preserving History for Future Generations
Beyond its monetary value, the photograph offers a rare glimpse into the life of Billy the Kid and the Wild West. It humanizes a man often depicted as a ruthless outlaw, showing him in a moment of camaraderie and playfulness.
For Randy and Linda, the photograph is more than a financial windfall—it’s a piece of history they helped preserve. “This isn’t just about the money,” Randy said. “It’s about uncovering the stories of the past and sharing them with the world.”
As the couple prepares to sell the photograph, they reflect on the journey that brought them here. From a $2 flea market find to a $5 million treasure, their story is a testament to the power of curiosity and the allure of history.
The Legacy of Billy the Kid
The discovery of this rare photograph adds a new chapter to the legend of Billy the Kid. It challenges the popular image of the outlaw as a cold-blooded killer and offers a more nuanced view of his life.
For Randy and Linda, the photograph is a reminder that history is all around us, waiting to be discovered. Their journey serves as an inspiration to treasure hunters everywhere: sometimes, the most extraordinary finds come from the most ordinary places.
