Long-lost portrait of Charles Dickens avoids the trash can

Classic-literature lovers had another reason to be grateful this past Thanksgiving: A long-lost portrait of Charles Dickens dodged the garbage can.

The Guardian reports that a South African man picking through his auction haul, for which he paid about $35, nearly tossed the moldy painting that was part of it.

But the portrait’s subject proved too compelling, and the buyer decided to research who it could possibly be.

With the help of experts, he was able to confirm it was Dickens, age thirty-one, as depicted by artist Margaret Gillies.

The Charles Dickens Museum in London hopes to acquire the painting, which is expected to run into the six figures.

Read more about the portrait’s origins and theorized journey to South Africa in the Guardian.