Clarke Auctions, now in a new location on Boston Post Road in the Village of Larchmont, Westchester County, New York, had a few surprises in its Sept. 12 to 13 sales.

One hot lot was a small Seymour Thomas oil painting, in poor condition, originally estimated at $100-150. It sold to a Texas art dealer for $35,250.

The painting was identified by Clarke as the earliest work by Thomas to ever appear at auction, an 1885 scene of the Alamo. The local consignor, who had been thinking of selling it at a tag sale, was in the audience and was wobbled by the news, not fully understanding that his modest painting just set a world record for the artist.

Read more about the auction here.