Unclaimed Baggage Center’s museum, which features unique items found in lost suitcases from airlines and other transportation industries, recently came to Chattanooga.
The treasure and thrift road show included a preserved alligator head, expensive jewelry, a West Point uniform from 1937, a pair of Google Glasses worth several hundred dollars, and more.
Located one hour and 15 minutes from Chattanooga in Scottsboro, Ala., Unclaimed Baggage Center is under contract with airlines and other transportation companies to purchase luggage that can’t be traced to the owners. After its long journey, the unclaimed luggage arrives at UBC and undergoes a complex sorting process. UBC experts, many with decades of pricing experience, research and price each individual item.
Some of the bought-in-bulk load not going to the retail space is “voted off the island.” UBC has learned over the years that some people will pack anything that fits in a bag – alive, dead, or illegal (including a live rattlesnake).
Other items are too rare or unusual to sell. These items are placed in the Unclaimed Baggage Museum, located within the store. Among these items are a certificate noting the ownership of 50 shares of the Titanic; a suit of armor from Asia; and a signed Cal Ripkin jersey.
To learn more or plan a day trip, visit unclaimedbaggage.com.
Source: Unclaimed Baggage Center