ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Unclaimed Baggage's 2025 Found Report Reveals Samurai Sword, Meteorite, and Mysterious Robot Among Lost Items

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-09

Unclaimed Baggage, located in Scottsboro, Alabama, published its third annual Found Report for 2025, showcasing bizarre items discovered in lost luggage. Among the peculiar finds were a samurai sword, a meteorite fragment, a robot, an 1800s Japanese manuscript, a clarinet valued at $17,500, a bionic knee, a 1960s Ken doll, a Civil War saber, a nuclear radiation detector, and imitation human bones. One suitcase even contained rat poison. The store has been in operation for over 50 years, processing bags that remain unclaimed for 90 days, with a record of 209,986 shirts and other typical items. Established in 1970 by Doyle Owens, it spans 50,000 square feet and employs nearly 300 individuals. Past notable discoveries include a suit of armor and a NASA camera.

Key facts

  • Unclaimed Baggage released its third annual Found Report for 2025
  • Discoveries included a samurai sword, meteorite fragment, and mysterious robot
  • The store is located in Scottsboro, Alabama and has operated for over 50 years
  • Matt Owens is senior vice president of commercial strategy
  • Airlines send unclaimed bags after 90 days of unsuccessful owner location
  • 209,986 shirts and 128,722 pairs of pants were among commonly abandoned items in 2025
  • Founder Doyle Owens started the business in 1970 with a $300 investment
  • The store occupies 50,000 square feet and employs nearly 300 people

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Unclaimed Baggage
  • Smithsonian magazine
  • The Washington Post
  • Getty Images
  • USA Today
  • Bagable
  • NPR
  • Boston Globe
  • NASA
  • Space Shuttle program
  • Miss North Dakota USA

Locations

  • Scottsboro
  • Alabama
  • United States
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Japan
  • Greece
  • Egypt
  • China
  • Switzerland

Sources