BBC Antiques Roadshow guest puts head in hands over staggering valuation of late father's medals
The latest episode of Antiques Roadshow, set against the stunning backdrop of Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing, West London, dazzled audiences with a selection of high-end valuations including an extraordinary engagement ring and a handwritten note by Oscar Wilde. Nevertheless, it was an Olympic medal from the 1930s that truly captured hearts.
Expert Marc Allum had the pleasure of imparting remarkable news to the daughter of Charles Holland, a significant figure in the world of cycling who participated in two Olympics and the Tour de France. As she shared memories of her father, she expressed: "He was a great cyclist. He was in two Olympic games and the Tour De France so he did everything. We've got loads of photos, medals and stacks of stuff."
Amidst a collection of Holland's personal memorabilia, including medals and his Olympic shirt, the daughter disclosed to Marc: "He was very modest about his success and we didn't see any of this for many years until we found a big suitcase after cleaning the house up when he died and we found all this stuff that he kept for years."
Clearly awestruck by the breadth of the collection, Marc praised its significance, noting: "I look at this and I'm astonished really to be honest with you. So what I've done is chosen some highlights from his career," reports Express.
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The expert then went on to examine the collection in detail, leaving his guests stunned as he revealed the price of their items.
He announced: "Right I'm going to try to put a price on this and it's really really difficult and you know what I think your collection is worth £15,000 to £20,000."
The valuation left the room stunned as she let out a gasp followed by an incredulous scream: "No" Marc reassured her: "Yes absolutely."
Marc asserted without a hint of doubt: "I don't think I have any hesitation putting that valuation on it."
Elated and addressing the camera, the guest expressed her amazement: "An amazing evaluation and you don't actually think what those medals are worth but you do realise how rare they are and £15,000-£20,000 is shocking to me. I'm absolutely shocked and wowed by it."
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.