A teenager, aged 17, found inspiration from a TV show similar to Storage Hunters to delve into buying abandoned storage lockers. His family began to take his hobby seriously when he acquired a unit for a little over £300 and uncovered a significant collection of valuable artworks inside.
Michael Haskell, hailing from New Jersey in the United States, utilizes a custom computer program developed with ChatGPT to pinpoint forgotten storage units that may have belonged to notable individuals in the past.
The pivotal moment that garnered his family’s attention was when he stumbled upon a storage unit previously owned by Andrew Crispo, a disgraced art dealer from New York. Purchased for $450 (around £330), the Brooklyn unit yielded valuable artworks, including a painting by surrealist pioneer Man Ray and drawings by Walt Kuhn, fetching an impressive $50,000 (close to £37,000) upon sale.
According to Michael, his family started taking his interest seriously following this episode. He operates an eBay store named Mike’s Unique Treasures, where he sells the majority of his discoveries, earning a monthly income of approximately $7,000 (just over £5,000).
Michael’s mother, Anna, highlighted his entrepreneurial spirit, recalling his ventures into buying and reselling books at book fairs, researching and trading discontinued LEGOs, and eventually being captivated by shows like Storage Wars.
Delving into the stories behind the abandoned lockers he encounters, Michael often uncovers poignant narratives. For instance, one locker previously owned by a New York socialite was filled with designer clothing, accessories, empty vodka bottles, and divorce papers.
Reflecting on the human aspect, Michael expressed his curiosity about the lives connected to these storage units, often indicative of financial instability or personal struggles. He acknowledged the potential for sadness in these forgotten stories.
The tale of Andrew Crispo, whose storage locker yielded Michael’s most lucrative discovery, carries a tragic undertone. Once a prominent figure in the art world, Crispo’s life took a dark turn, culminating in his passing in 2024 under destitute circumstances, allowing Michael to acquire the contents of his locker inexpensively.
In Michael’s words, Crispo’s life serves as a cautionary tale on how not to live, marked by his involvement in criminal activities and eventual downfall.
