Painting bought for 50 cents in Indiana going up for auction

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - A southeastern Indiana man is hoping a worn painting of seven men playing pool he bought at a yard sale eight years for 50 cents will help get him out of debt and allow him to set up savings for his two young children.

Jesse Ronnebaum of Batesville, 65 miles southwest of Indianapolis, discovered recently that the painting he bought in nearby Oldenburg was done by seven artists. When he started asking art dealers about it, he received offers ranging from $500 to $1,500.

So now the 28 year old is planning on auctioning it off in May in Chicago. Indianapolis art dealer Curt Churchman estimates the painting could be worth $10,000. Ronnebaum says he will miss the painting, but will be looking at yard sales for a replacement.