The surprising treasures hiding in Madrid’s lost property are now up for auction

More than 5,600 items that were lost in Madrid and never claimed by their owners are going under the hammer, with luxury fashion, gaming equipment and rare collectables among the unusual finds.

The annual auction began on Monday, October 5, and will remain open until 8pm on Tuesday, October 13. The items have spent more than two years in the Madrid City Council’s lost property system without being reclaimed and can now legally be sold.

Luxury brands among the forgotten belongings

Some of the most eye-catching lots are a long way from the everyday items normally associated with a lost property office.

A Louis Vuitton suitcase is included in the auction with an estimated value of €1,300, while a Piaget Altiplano rose-gold watch is valued at more than €5,100.

There are also handbags and accessories from well-known names including Gucci and Celine, alongside jewellery from brands such as Bulgari, Hermès, Swarovski, Dior, Pandora, Tous, Lotus, Uno de 50 and Viceroy.

Other lots include a gold-coloured crown decorated with green and white stones and a selection of luxury pens and watches.

The variety reflects the sheer volume of belongings handled by Madrid’s municipal lost property service. During 2025 alone, more than 78,000 objects were received by the office.

A Star Wars poster dating back to 1977

For collectors, however, some of the most interesting lots are not necessarily the most expensive.

An original Star Wars poster from 1977 is among the items being offered, with a valuation of around €1,200. There is also a limited-edition Superplastic figure and a vintage Hermès Baby typewriter.

One particularly unusual piece has a connection to maritime history. The auction includes a section of window from the RMS Olympic, the sister ship of the Titanic. It comes with a certificate and a handwritten letter documenting the item.

Music and photography enthusiasts also have plenty to browse, with vinyl records, musical instruments, cameras and other specialist equipment included in the catalogue.

Nintendo, phones and vintage cameras

The auction could also appeal to gamers and technology collectors.

Several Nintendo Switch models and special editions are available, including versions themed around Fortnite Wildcat and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

A PSP Street with 13 games is another notable lot, while the wider catalogue includes drones, tablets and mobile phones from different generations. Some technology items are reportedly still in their original packaging.

Photography equipment ranges from modern devices to older cameras, including a Nikkormat FT with a Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f/1.4 lens, a Nikon L35AF and a Canon 814 XL Super 8 video camera.

Why are these items being sold?

Madrid’s lost property system, which has various outlets for those travelling round the city, gives owners a significant period to recover their belongings.

Under the city’s rules, items remain in the municipal system for two years. If they are not claimed by their owners, or by the people who found them where applicable, they can eventually pass into municipal ownership following the required legal procedure. Items that cannot be put to use by the council can then be sold at auction.

The process is intended to give suitable objects a second life rather than leaving them permanently in storage.

Hermes Capital Europa is responsible for tasks including valuing, cleaning, cataloguing and photographing the lots, as well as organising the auction.

How to view the Madrid auction items

People interested in bidding can view the full catalogue and individual photographs and descriptions through the auction platform.

There is also an opportunity to inspect the items in person. Viewing is available on October 5, 6 and 7 at the premises on Calle Nieremberg 7 in Madrid, from 9am to 2pm and again from 5pm to 9pm.

The auction runs until 8pm on October 13, giving bargain hunters and collectors several days to discover what could be one of the more unusual collections of forgotten belongings to appear for sale in Madrid this year.

Money raised from the auction will go into the Madrid City Council treasury and contribute to the municipal budget.