An original statuette of the falcon used in the film, "The Maltese Falcon," missing for 50 years, has turned up as a flea market bargain and will be auctioned at Christie's gallery June 19, it was announced.

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The 18-inch cast resin falcon could fetch as much as $30,000 to $50,000, according to Christie's.A Christie's spokesman said the five-pound figurine was purchased at an outdoor flea market in Pennsylvania for $8 on March 13 by Ara Chekmayan, a filmmaker who had seen the film many times.

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