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Yes, Someone Really Paid $1,350 For a Single Cornflake
- Madison
- Jun 24, 2024
- 2 min read
In the quirky annals of American pop culture, there are stories that defy logic and make us question the essence of value. One such tale unfolded in 2008 when a cornflake, remarkably resembling the state of Illinois, sold for an astonishing $1,350 on eBay. Yes, you read that right—a single, crispy piece of breakfast cereal fetched a sum that could cover a month’s rent in many cities. But what on earth could drive someone to fork out that kind of money for a cornflake?
The Curiosity of a Trivia Buff
Monty Kerr, the brains behind a trivia website, emerged as the unlikely bidder willing to pay such a hefty price for a cornflake. Kerr’s motivation wasn’t mere whimsy; he harbored grand ambitions of establishing a traveling museum dedicated to pop culture and Americana. For him, the cornflake wasn't just a quirky novelty; it was a vital piece of his envisioned exhibit. It seems, in the realm of Americana memorabilia, a cornflake can indeed be priceless.
The Discovery and Auction
The cornflake's journey to internet fame began innocently enough with two sisters from Virginia. They stumbled upon the Illinois-shaped cereal piece and decided to auction it on eBay. However, eBay's policies at the time prohibited the sale of food items, leading to an unexpected hiccup. Ingeniously, the sisters circumvented this obstacle by selling a coupon redeemable for the cornflake instead. Despite the unconventional sale method and concerns about the cornflake’s fragility during shipping—given Kerr's prior experience with a shattered "world’s largest cereal flake"—the transaction was a success.
A Trend is Born
The buzz generated by the sale of the Illinois cornflake didn't just end there. It ignited a flurry of similar listings, with other food items shaped like states hitting the virtual auction block. Soon, eBay saw the appearance of a Florida-shaped cornflake and even a potato chip mirroring the contours of Hawaii. The sisters, who initially listed the Illinois cornflake, enjoyed a well-deserved vacation with their unexpected windfall.
Cultural Impact and Merchandising
The $1,350 cornflake also spurred a mini-industry of commemorative merchandise. Spoons, milk cartons, t-shirts, and buttons celebrating the iconic sale became available, turning a simple cornflake into a symbol of novelty and nostalgia. This phenomenon underscores a peculiar aspect of human nature: our ability to find value and significance in the most mundane objects when they intersect with cultural identity and storytelling.
So, the next time you pour a bowl of cereal and notice a flake that looks oddly familiar, don’t dismiss it too quickly. You might just be staring at a potential piece of American history. This story of the $1,350 cornflake reminds us that value is often in the eye of the beholder and that even the most commonplace items can become treasures when imbued with a bit of imagination and a whole lot of serendipity.
In the ever-evolving marketplace of quirky collectibles, who knows? Your morning breakfast could turn into a lucrative investment, proving once again that truth is sometimes stranger—and more profitable—than fiction.
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