An Antiques Roadshow expert began crying as he valued a sailing boat with a remarkable history in literature and film.
Rupert Maas, an expert on the BBC One show, took a look at the boat Swallow from the film Swallows and Amazons, adapted from the book by spy-turned-author Arthur Ransome who lived through the Russian revolution.
Tears began to appear in Rupert’s eyes as he explained the history of the boat which was based on a real-life one much loved by the children’s author.
Rupert said he saw the film when he was just 14 years old and it meant a lot to him.
He told viewers: “It’s fair to say it got me into sailing just watching the romantic lives of these children in this wonderful summer.”
(Image: BBC)
“It never seemed to rain, the sun was always out and it was filmed and shot here,” he said, gesturing to the surrounding scenery in the Lake District where the book was set.
“One of these islands could have been the one they spent the night on,” he added.
The guest bought the boat at auction thanks to a crowdfunding campaign and said “about 85 of us chipped in to buy her”.
He said: “The group of us paid £5,500 or just under and our objective is to keep her in the public domain to take people out sailing.
(Image: BBC)
“I like to think she was made in about 1930 when the book was published. So that would be a nice coincidence.”
Rupert said boats similar in age, size, and condition to Swallow would only be worth between £2,000 and £3,000.
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Fortunately, it’s movie history means the Swallow’s value is multiplied by 10 and the little sailing boat could fetch up to £30,000 “without hesitation”, according to Rupert.
“That’s incredible!” said the guest as he burst out laughing.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
