Hidden Treasures

Hidden Treasures on Long Island are one man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure—and nobody knows this better than Cosmo and Travis, the owners of VanGo Junk Removal. Over their decade serving Long Island communities from Montauk to Great Neck, they’ve uncovered some astonishing valuables hidden among what homeowners considered “just junk.”

The Attic Art Discovery: A $15,000 Surprise

When the Stevens family in Cold Spring Harbor hired VanGo to clear out their recently purchased historic home’s attic, they expected the usual assortment of forgotten holiday decorations and outdated furniture. What nobody anticipated was finding a small painting tucked between old window frames.

“It didn’t look like much—just a small landscape with some water and boats,” Travis recalls. “But something about the signature caught my eye.”

That painting, as it turned out, was an early work by a notable Long Island artist, valued at approximately $15,000. The Stevens family was astonished.

“We could have easily thrown it away, thinking it was just another old painting,” Mrs. Stevens shared. “VanGo’s attention to detail saved us from an expensive mistake. They could have kept it themselves, but they immediately brought it to our attention.”

The Coin Collection Concealed in Commack

During what appeared to be a standard garage cleanout in Commack, the VanGo team was moving what looked like ordinary tool boxes when they noticed something unusual about the weight.

“They were surprisingly heavy for their size,” Cosmo explains. “When we opened them with the homeowner present, we discovered they contained his father’s extensive coin collection that had been forgotten for years after his passing.”

The collection included several rare silver dollars and mint-condition commemorative coins worth over $5,000. The homeowner had no idea the collection existed.

“This happens more often than you’d think,” Travis adds. “Especially when clearing estates or helping adult children clean out their parents’ homes. Important items get tucked away and forgotten about.”

The Huntington Basement Baseball Cards

A Huntington family called VanGo when they needed to clear their basement after flooding. Among the water-damaged boxes was one that had remained dry on a high shelf—containing a baseball card collection from the 1960s and 70s.

“The homeowner almost told us to take everything without looking,” Cosmo remembers. “But our standard practice is to have clients review any boxes or containers before disposal.”

That collection contained several rookie cards of notable players, estimated to be worth nearly $3,000. The family was able to sell them to a local collector and offset a significant portion of their basement restoration costs.

The Jewelry Box Behind the Bookcase

During a living room renovation cleanout in Oyster Bay, the VanGo team was removing built-in bookshelves when they discovered something unusual.

“There was a small jewelry box that had fallen behind the bookcase, probably decades ago,” Travis explains. “When we showed it to the homeowner, she burst into tears. It contained her grandmother’s engagement ring that the family had been searching for since the 1990s.”

While the monetary value was significant, the sentimental value was priceless. The ring had been assumed lost forever—until VanGo’s thorough removal process uncovered it.

Common Valuables Hidden in “Junk”

After 10 years and thousands of junk removal jobs across Long Island, Cosmo and Travis have identified patterns in what valuable items typically get overlooked:

1. Collectibles and Memorabilia

• Sports cards and memorabilia
• Comic books (especially from the 1960s-1980s)
• Vintage toys still in packaging
• Movie posters and entertainment memorabilia

2. Jewelry and Precious Metals

• Watches tucked in dresser drawers
• Jewelry boxes in unexpected places
• Coins and currency in ordinary containers
• Sterling silver that’s been tarnished beyond recognition

3. Art and Antiques

• Unframed canvases
• Small sculptures mixed with ordinary décor
• Signed prints and limited editions
• Antique books among common paperbacks

4. Technology and Media

• Vintage video games and systems
• First-generation electronics (early Apple products, etc.)
• Vinyl record collections
• Limited-release media

5. Documents and Paper Items

• Stock certificates
• Savings bonds
• Original signed documents
• Historic newspapers and magazines

The VanGo Treasure Protection Process

With over 500 five-star reviews, VanGo has earned Long Island’s trust by developing protocols specifically designed to prevent valuable items from being inadvertently discarded:

1. The Container Rule

“We never dispose of closed containers without client inspection,” Cosmo explains. “Boxes, trunks, drawers, cases—all get verified before removal.”

2. The Methodical Approach

Rather than rushing through spaces, VanGo teams work systematically to ensure nothing is overlooked. This careful approach has paid dividends for many clients.

3. Owner Expertise

Both Cosmo and Travis have developed an eye for spotting potential valuables among ordinary items. Their hands-on approach means expert assessment at every job.

4. The Authentication Pause

When something appears potentially valuable, VanGo implements an “authentication pause” to consult with experts when necessary.

5. Documentation and Transparency

“We document everything unusual we find and immediately bring it to the client’s attention,” Travis emphasizes. “Our business is built on trust and integrity.”

When History and Value Collide: The Smithtown Time Capsule

Perhaps the most unusual discovery came during a shed demolition in Smithtown. What appeared to be an ordinary metal box buried beneath the shed floor turned out to be a time capsule from 1952.

“It contained newspapers, coins, photographs, and letters describing the property and community,” Cosmo shares. “The homeowners had purchased the house just two years earlier and had no idea this piece of history was literally beneath their feet.”

The Smithtown Historical Society was delighted to receive this unexpected window into the community’s past, and several local news outlets covered the story.

Beyond Monetary Value: Preserving Memories

Not all “treasures” have significant financial value, but their emotional importance can be immeasurable.

“We once found a box of handwritten recipes during a kitchen renovation in Northport,” Travis recalls. “The homeowner had been searching for her grandmother’s recipe collection for years. Seeing her reaction when we handed her that box—that’s why we take this approach so seriously.”

Similar stories include:

• Military service medals and honors
• Family photographs and albums
• Handwritten letters and journals
• Children’s artwork and school projects

The VanGo Philosophy: Respect Every Item

“Our business model could certainly be more profitable if we rushed through jobs without this level of care,” Cosmo acknowledges. “But that’s not who we are or how we operate. We treat every home as if it were our own family’s property.”

This philosophy has earned VanGo its reputation as Long Island’s most trusted junk removal service over the past decade.

What This Means For You

If you’re planning a junk removal project, these stories highlight the importance of choosing a service that prioritizes careful inspection and ethical practices.

“Many people are surprised by what they almost throw away,” Travis notes. “We’ve saved clients thousands of dollars simply by paying attention and asking the right questions before disposal.”

VanGo recommends these steps before any major cleanout:

1. Consider having valuable items appraised before cleaning begins
2. Take time to inspect containers and storage areas
3. Be especially careful with inherited properties and estates
4. Research the history of your home for potential hidden valuables
5. Partner with a junk removal service that prioritizes thorough inspection

With their decade of experience serving communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties, Cosmo and Travis have transformed VanGo from a simple junk hauling service into Long Island’s leading experts in responsible removal.

“Every home tells a story,” Cosmo reflects. “Sometimes the most valuable chapters are hidden in what appears to be just another pile of junk.”

Planning a cleanout? Choose VanGo Junk Removal—where we find the treasures hiding in your trash.