Lost and Found

Found in El Pollo Loco restaurant, Los Angeles, '11

 
"One man's trash is another man's treasure."

Found Magazine (www.foundmagazine.com) does exactly what is says on the tin. Created in 2001 by friends Davy Rothbart and Jason Bitner, the website features a collection of notes, photographs and drawings found by strangers. From prison mail and polaroids to homework and love letters, interesting items have been picked up from parked cars, left in library books and even discovered in the pockets of second-hand clothing.

Found in a photo album in Toronto, October '06

Found Magazine began when Davy Rothbart found a note mistakenly left on his windscreen in Chicago in 2001. Davy shared the note with Jason Bitner and began soliciting other 'found' items from their circle of friends. The pair transformed their volume of material into a magazine and have since published 10 editions and four books.

First Ever Found on Davy's car in Chicago, '01

In 2002, Davy and Jason quit their jobs to work full-time on the magazine and website, which is based in Michigan. Their favourite finds include birthday cards, napkin poetry and a hapless F.B.I agent's files. We've posted some of our favourites below.

Found on John's car, location unknown, '11

Found in a teacher's classroom in Texas, '11

Found in the snow in Massachusetts, '11