$5 Antique Store Find Uncovers Jack Mitchell's 1950 Water-Skiing Photo

A $5 photograph purchased at a Florida antique store turned out to be a 1950 print by Jack Mitchell, the renowned photographer known for his portraits of cultural figures. The buyer, who had previously written about Mitchell, recognized the photographer's stamp on the back, which identified his New Smyrna Beach studio. Research in the Daytona Beach News-Journal archives revealed the image was published on March 19, 1950, depicting a water-skiing stunt. The newspaper article also identified one of the subjects as William David Toothaker, who later won the East Coast Water Skiing Championship in 1954. The buyer contacted Toothaker's son, David, now 75 and living in Grand Isle, Florida, who recalled his father mentioning Mitchell. David suggested the photo might have been taken at Venetian Gardens or on the river in New Smyrna or Daytona. The discovery provides insight into Mitchell's early career in Florida before he became famous for his portraits. The photograph, which had survived for 76 years, was reunited with its published context, and the buyer considers it a piece of Florida photography history. The story highlights the serendipity of antique hunting and the enduring legacy of Mitchell's work.