The couple first spotted the two cat paintings while walking their dog along a Pembrokeshire beach. They scooped them out of a skip, assuming one might make a quirky gift for the daughter‑in‑law who adored cats.
Years later, a quick online search revealed the distinctive style was unmistakable: it was Louis Wain, the artist whose cats walked upright, wore hats, and gained national fame in the early 20th century.
They took the works to Rogers Jones Auctioneers. Auctioneer Charles Hampshire authenticated the pieces as genuine Wain paintings. Lot 43, 'Blue Cat among the Flowers', was listed with a £3,000‑£5,000 estimate; Lot 44, the double‑sided 'Psychedelic Cats' & 'Deer in an Idyllic Landscape', had a £4,000‑£6,000 estimate.
At the May 21, 2026 sale, the former fell into the hands of a buyer for £6,600, while the double‑sided work fetched £9,400. Together they brought in £16,000, surpassing the upper end of the combined estimate and ranking as two of the house's top ten lots that month.
The story underscores how ordinary objects can hide extraordinary value. The couple, who began by rescuing a discarded painting for a pet lover, now hold a prized piece of British art history.