World's simplest Christmas tree becomes nostalgic treasure at auction

An unassuming Christmas tree with just 25 branches and a height of 78 centimeters became the unprecedented star of an auction, fetching an impressive sum of more than $4,000,

Billed as "the world's simplest Christmas tree," it far exceeded initial estimates, from $70-100 to a surprising several thousand.

A Christmas gem with history

The tree, which has sparked interest and captured the magic of Christmas, originally had a special owner - Dorothy Grant, reports Smithsonian Magazine . Bought in 1920 for the family home in Leicestershire, England, it was adorned with snow-like wadding, as globes were considered an 'extravagance' at the time. The tree remained in the Grant family's possession until 2014, when Dorothy Grant died at the age of 101, and was then inherited by her daughter, Shirley Hall.

A tribute to memory

Shirley Hall, who is 84, decided to say goodbye to the Christmas tree to honor her mother's memory and ensure her continued existence as a humble reminder of the 1920s. The auction sale was a way to keep alive the story and sentiment associated with this simple but meaningful tree.

A rarity among artificial trees

Although the tree is reminiscent of the mass-produced artificial trees sold in Woolworths stores, it is distinguished by the red paint on the wooden stand. This detail sets it apart from Woolworths products. In the 1920s, Woolworths was one of the first retailers to begin selling artificial trees en masse, marking a significant change in the Christmas tree tradition.

A treasure with the power of nostalgia

Charles Hanson, owner of the auction house, believes the unexpectedly high amount for this simple tree is due to the power of nostalgia. The unique element of the red paint and its long history in the Grant family turned this unassuming tree into a treasured treasure, illustrating how seemingly simple objects can carry a special emotional and historical charge.