LEHIGHTON -- You may say a picture is worth a thousand words, but members of American Legion Post 314 in Lehighton hope one is worth a million dollars.
The oil painting by famed artist Franz Kline who grew up in Lehighton was painted at the legion in Carbon County back in 1948. But after years of sitting in the bar area, the painting has some wear and tear.
Now the legion is looking to sell the canvas.
"We'd like to see if we can find a new home for it where it can be maintained properly," explained Floyd Brown.
Legion members are hoping to hit the jackpot with a sale, considering some of Kline's other paintings have cost buyers big bucks.
"That one, I think of the Delaware Water Gap sold for like $40 million."
Members say if they do sell that painting, the money would go back into the legion and they would give some money back to the Lehighton community.
"We're building a new high school in Lehighton and we'd like to put a new art room in there under his name, Franz Kline art room."
Cornelius McHugh, age 93, grew up with Kline. He remembers drinking nickel beers with the artist.
"He was always broke, always flat broke."
He says Kline only painted the mural at the legion because he needed the cash.
"His paintings didn't go for a lot of money until he was dead! He was selling pictures for $4 and $5," McHugh said.
When legion members tried to restore the mural a few years ago estimates were over $30,000 just for a touch up. Legion members say it would be incredible to make a few million off the painting but they're also not holding their breath.
"As soon as someone comes up with a nice figure that everyone is happy with."
But so far, no million dollar bids on the Lehighton mural just yet.
