The fanciest items LEAVED IN AIPORT LUGGAGE entered the market through specialist sellers

What do a Chanel blazer, a 66-piece sterling silver service and a handpan have in common?

They are all expensive items left in unclaimed baggage. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, airlines handled nearly 393 million bags in 2021, including 2 million pieces of luggage that were lost.

The Alabama-based company, which comes to the rescue of “truly orphaned” items, Unclaimed baggage. The company buys bags from domestic US airlines and other travel agencies after a three-month search for the owners.

Employees say it’s a complete lottery what they find in the bags, but sometimes the contents can be surprising.

A pair of Givenchy leather ankle boots ($1,496.99) and a crystal-embellished black Prada mini dress ($2,400.99)

A Louise Vuitton roller case recently sold for $2,000, but there’s still a Tom Ford case for $1,999.99

The Unclaimed Baggage website has a spread of different categories, including mobile phones, musical instruments, pet products, and sporting goods.

There are, of course, many clothes to choose from.

Currently, some of the prize pieces include a tweed Chanel jacket ($6,599.99), a crystal-embellished black mini dress from Prada ($2,400.99), and a men’s leather bomber jacket from Givenchy ($4,500.99).

In terms of footwear, the most expensive offering for women is a pair of Givenchy leather ankle boots ($1,496.99).

While for the men, Unclaimed Baggage serves up a pair of neon green Louis Vuitton sneakers ($1,130).

Unsurprisingly, there’s a good selection of luggage on offer, ranging from low-end to luxury.

A Louise Vuitton roller case recently sold for $2,000, but there’s still a Tom Ford briefcase for $1,999.99 and a Tumi duffle bag for $836.99.

Women’s handbags are also often left by accident, the company says, and right now a limited edition velvet Chanel bag is up for grabs with a price tag of $3,120.99.

When it comes to the highest priced item on the website, a diamond and gold bracelet is listed for $9,123.99.

When it comes to the highest priced item on the website, there is a diamond and gold bracelet listed for $9,123.99

A limited edition Chanel velvet bag up for grabs with a price tag of $3,120.99 and a pair of neon green Louis Vuitton sneakers ($1,130)

A Versace men’s watch on sale for just over $1,000 and a unique green glass vase made in France ($409.99)

Some of the more unusual items currently on sale include an antique 66-piece sterling silver dinnerware set ($1,900.99)

Unclaimed Baggage began in 1970 when entrepreneur Doyle Owens ventured to Washington DC and bought his first load of unclaimed luggage from Trailways Bus Line

Discarded designer watches also fetch a pretty penny, and a Versace men’s watch can be had for just over $1,000.

In addition to standard fashion and electronic products, Unclaimed Luggage says some suitcases contain some pretty bizarre stuff.

Some of the more unusual items currently on sale include an antique 66-piece sterling silver dinnerware set ($1,900.99), a 13-note hand pan ($1,049.99), and a one-of-a-kind green glass vase made in France ($409). .99).

But these items seem rather tame compared to some of Unclaimed Baggage’s previous finds.

A section on the website describes some of the “extraordinary” things that have been recovered.

The company once received a “terrible-smelling” bear skin packed in salt before departure, and in 2002 a ten-foot-long Tibetan dung—a ceremonial horn commonly used in religious rituals—arrived at the sorting center.

Stranger still, the company says it’s gotten several shrunken heads over the years, including one that served as a decoration on a medicine man’s stick.

Not sure where this bizarre item came from, but notes: ‘Headhunting has only been documented in the northwestern region of the Amazon rainforest (Ecuador and Peru).

“Tribes such as the Aguaruna, Huambisa, Achuar and Shuar are known for shrinking and collecting human heads.”

Unclaimed Baggage began in 1970 when entrepreneur Doyle Owens ventured to Washington DC and purchased his first load of unclaimed luggage from Trailways Bus Line.

He then sold the contents on card tables in an old rental house and the venture was an instant success. Owens forged close relationships with airlines and expanded the business.

Today, the business is still family-owned and customers can purchase goods online or in-store, with a café and a ‘Museum of Found Treasures’ among other popular attractions.

Any items not sold will be donated to charity or recycled.