An Antiques Roadshow guest was stunned to find out that his gruesome family heirloom, a collection of items belonging to the executed 7th Earl of Derby, was worth a staggering five-figure sum. The items, inherited by the guest’s ancestor William Prescott, were brought to the show by a descendant of Prescott, who was present at the Earl’s execution. Despite the estimated worth of £18,000 to £22,000, the owner felt it would be a ‘travesty’ to sell the items, which included a skull cap, suede gloves, and a portrait attributed to Cornelius Johnson.
The guest explained that William Prescott was a close friend of the 7th Earl of Derby and accompanied him to the scaffold where he was executed for high treason. The antiques expert on the show described the items as powerful and highlighted the local connection to the Earl’s execution site in Bolton, just 20 miles away. The portrait of William Prescott, estimated at £10,000 to £15,000, along with other items, could fetch a significant amount at auction. However, despite the tempting value, the guest was resolute in his decision not to sell the collection.
In another episode of Antiques Roadshow, a retired signwriter was surprised to learn that his two 60-year-old pencil drawings of The Beatles’ original logo, created for Ringo Starr’s drum in 1962, were worth £15,000. The logo, which was ultimately rejected in favor of the band’s definitive design, was a unique piece of memorabilia from their early days. The owner, who had known John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison before they signed their first record deal, had fond memories of creating the logo, even though he was never paid for his work.
Despite the rejection of his logo design, The Beatles’ creator held no hard feelings towards the band as they achieved success with their debut single, Love Me Do. An antiques expert on the show estimated that the drawings, as the earliest logos for The Beatles, could fetch around £15,000 at auction. However, the owner expressed a reluctance to sell them at the moment, but remained open to the possibility in the future. The unique and historically significant drawings provided a glimpse into the early days of the iconic band’s career.
Antiques Roadshow has seen a resurgence in popularity, with viewership surpassing that of soap operas and other popular programs. The show, now in its 45th year, has attracted nearly 5 million viewers per episode, making it one of the top programs on television. The success of the show has been attributed to its focus on people’s stories and history, rather than fast-paced action or drama. Host Fiona Bruce expressed her delight at the audience figures and emphasized that the show is more than just assessing monetary value, but also about sharing common history and human stories.
Overall, the recent episodes of Antiques Roadshow have showcased the surprising and valuable antiques that everyday people can possess. From the gruesome relics of an executed Earl to the early logo designs of a legendary band, the show continues to uncover hidden treasures and fascinating stories. The combination of historical significance, personal connections, and unexpected values has made Antiques Roadshow a beloved program that offers a unique look into the past and the lives of those who owned these remarkable items.
