When life gives you a lemon, keep it hidden for a few centuries and you may be able to earn a small fortune.
Bretells Auctions and Valuers in Newport, England, put the 285-year-old lemon tree up for auction on January 16th, and it sold for about $1,800.
The auction house originally discovered the 18th-century fruit, dating from 1739, hidden in a 19th-century cabinet. The cabinet was also put up for auction, but it only sold for about $40.
Readers can see photos of well-worn lemons on Bretells Auctioneers & Valuers’ Instagram page.
“I thought I’d have a little fun, [the lemon] It was sold at auction for an estimated price of £40 to £60,” auctioneer David Brettell said, The Sun reported. 60 British Pounds is equivalent to approximately 76 USD.
The fruit is dark brown but surprisingly intact. It was engraved with the words, “Presented to Miss E. Baxter by Mr. P. Lou Francini on November 4, 1739.”
The lemons may have come to Britain from India as a romantic gift, The Sun reported.
British media reported that there was a “bidding war” that saw the final price for the ancient fruit rise to £1,400, just shy of $1,800.
Lemon was four years older than Thomas Jefferson, who was born in 1743.
The French and Indian War, which preceded the American Revolution, did not begin for another 15 years after the lemons were harvested.
The Sun reported that the fruit sold for £1,100, but additional costs brought the total to £1,400.
It is extremely rare for food to survive three centuries. “I don’t think we’ll ever see an item like this at auction again,” Bretel was quoted as saying.
