VICTORIA McGILP

A painting bought for 50p at Glasgow's Barras is set to sell for as much as £50,000 at auction.

Its anonymous owner had no idea of its value when he found it buried behind a pile of worthless rubbish at Barrowland Market 30 years ago. He paid "10 bob" for it simply because he liked it.

Now he is expected to make between £30,000 and £50,000 when the painting, Chopping Logs Outside a Snow Covered Cabin by 19th century artist Cornellius David Krieghoff, goes on sale at Lyon and Turnball in Edinburgh later this month.

The retired owner, who now lives abroad, said he often browsed through the Barras in search of bargains, adding: "I am surprised and delighted that my find has turned out to be such a worthwhile investment."

Totally unaware that the painting was valuable, he added the Krieghoff to his collection and thought nothing more about it, until he began researching different artists and realised it was an original.

The collector took it to art experts, who valued it at between £30,000 to £50,000.

Krieghoff, who died in 1872 at the age of 56, is regarded as one of Canada's most accomplished artists.

The Dutch-born painter became the most popular of the 19th century after rising to fame with paintings of Canadian landscapes and life outdoors, particularly in the winter.

The painting is currently on show at Pollok House in Glasgow before it is sold at auction.

Nick Currow, of Lyon and Turnbull, said "It is the sort of find everybody dreams of. Krieghoff is one of Canada's most accomplished and important artists."

Robert Ferguson, group manager and curator of Pollok House, said that Edinburgh was the ideal place for the painting to be sold.

"Many Scots emigrated to Canada during periods of civil unrest, and there will be as many Scots and Canadians with a desire to purchase this piece."

The auction takes place on May 29.