Shrunken Head

Ecuador and Peru

A found Gucci suitcase was filled with some unexpected ancient artifacts dating back to 1500 B.C.—the time of Moses. Its contents included an Egyptian burial mask and a preserved falcon—and all were auctioned at Christie’s.

1934 Newspaper

France

Print isn’t dead; it can survive a century of innovations and even the vortex of lost baggage. This 336-page, leather-bound,1934 issue of the French newspaper Noir et Blanc arrived at Unclaimed Baggage in 1998.

40.95-Carat Emerald

Colombia

Appraised for $25,000, this 40.95-carat emerald was found in lost luggage and sold for $17,000. While the origin of this jewel is unknown, Colombian emeralds are typically the most expensive per carat, followed by Brazilian and Zambian emeralds.

Space Shuttle Camera

Washington, D.C.

This modified Nikon F camera from NASA’s Space Shuttle program was found in the late 1980s. This specialized model was one of the earliest iterations of the digital camera—and one of only three made. Due to its rarity and historical significance, it was sent back to NASA Headquarters.

Hoggle Puppet

California

A piece of Hollywood history was found with the original, 4-foot-tall Hoggle puppet from the 1986 cult classic film, Labyrinth starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly.

Ceremonial Dung Chen Horn

Tibet

This 10-foot-long Tibetan traditional long horn is made from brass and sounds like an elephant’s call. For portability, it is broken down into sections, which was probably how it could fit into lost luggage.

This violin was made by a student of Antonio Stradivari, a world-renowned 17th-century luthier from Italy, considered to be the most distinguished craftsman of the instrument.

Whalebone Carving

Canada

This humpback whale vertebra carved with an Eskimo’s face belongs in a museum, not on the baggage carousel. While hunting for humpbacks is restricted due to its endangered species status, Indigenous peoples of Canada and northern Alaska continue to hunt them legally.

1814 Vintage Beethoven Sheet Music

Germany

One of the more priceless finds from 2020 was this 1814 vintage sheet music of Beethoven’s Symphony No.3.