Antiques Roadshow expert highlights crucial missing detail in photo collection

Antiques Roadshow expert Mark Hill alerted a hopeful attendee about a missing detail in his collection that could knock thousands off the price if it can't be found.

The show's fan-favourite valuer was met by vintage enthusiast, Mike, who had the privilege of hiring The Rolling Stones prior to their worldwide fame. The band's music was unheard of in the early 1960s and they hadn't yet ascended the charts.

In the throwback episode, Mike was given the task of fundraising for a local social club in 1963 - a year before the renowned band shot to stardom. The venue was informed by the agent that there was a £95 fee for booking the band for the event.

Taking a leap on what we now consider one of the most formidable bands in history, Mike decided to invest nearly £100 to have them perform at his venue. Even though the band was relatively unknown back then, the event turned out to be profitable.

Mike showcased a string of items to the Antiques Roadshow guru, including photos he claimed to have taken personally, a poster, ticket stubs, and scrapbooks filled with information regarding the event's setup. Mike also admitted to turning a "nice little profit" from reselling tickets, having sold 2,000 at five shillings each.

After examining the items presented, expert Mark reckoned the collection could be worth a tidy sum, especially if Mike could provide a crucial missing piece. "What I'm most interested in, is the photos. Did you take them with your own camera?" Mark inquired. The owner confirmed, "I took them with my own camera yes.

"I think it was called a Sportsman camera. I was stood at the side of the stage and I thought I'd take a chance and take some photographs." Mark asked further, "Where are the negatives do we know? Do you still have them?"

"The negatives are in a draw, with thousands of other negatives of railways," Mike disclosed. Keen to secure a deal, Mark urged, "I want you to shake my hand and promise me that the first thing you do when you get home, even before making a cup of tea or a gin and tonic or whatever your tipple is, is to find those negatives."

Upon shaking hands, the photo owner committed, "I'll look for those negatives for you." Mark then highlighted the importance of the negatives: "I presume we have unpublished and candid shots of one of the earliest concerts that The Rolling Stones performed.

"So for all of these pieces and for me the most exciting and the most valuable parts of it are these candid photographs here, taken by you, never seen before and complete with copy-write with you."

The antique dealer emphasised to the event organiser the importance of obtaining the negatives for resale value, saying: "You have the negatives and that's what we've got to find.

"Then you can re-sell those with the copy-write and they can be reproduced or whatever it may be, so with the whole lot, negatives included, £2,000." Mike responded with gratitude, "Thank you very much indeed," yet he kept his cards close to his chest about whether he would sell.

Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One and is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.

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