Viewers were moved when Welsh tennis star Elizabeth James appeared on tonight’s Antiques Roadshow.
The player was at Wimbledon a total of five times, first in 1967 and again in 1969 and 1971, and she brought along a few of her outfits for expert Hilary Kay to inspect.
Things started off cheekily when Hilary said: “They are made by the name that we think of with women’s tennis dresses – Teddy Tinling.
“He rose to fame in a rather flamboyant way in the 1940s when he created a dress for a tennis player which was quite short and had a pair of frilly lace knickers under it. And of course every time she moved, you could see the knickers.”
“She was known then as Gorgeous Gussy, wasn’t she?”
Elizabeth had also brought in a pair of said frilly knickers
As the valuation continued, Liz was becoming emotional.
At one point, Hilary said to her: “I mean, when you look at this, does it bring it all back?”
Clearly getting choked up, Liz replied: “I have to say, it has now,” before composing herself as Hilary said: “Well it should, it was a fabulous time!”
“It seems almost a crime to have to put a value on them,” Hilary continued before giving Liz her honest verdict.
“Look, the value of tennis dresses is not huge. I would have said the most valuable one is going to be the Prince of Wales feathers there. That we’re talking about perhaps £200 to £300.
“The rest of them, and including perhaps the ones we’re not looking at here, the three or four others that you brought, I would have thought we’re talking about perhaps £800 to £1,000… for everything. And it couldn’t be a better day,” Hilary added.
One viewer said online: “Those tennis dresses deserve to be in a museum #antiquesroadshow.”
A second fan quipped: “It all got rather emotional after she showed us her knickers #antiquesroadshow.”
Someone else tweeted: “Thought those tennis dresses may have been worth a few more bob than that #antiquesroadshow.”
Antiques Roadshow continues Sundays at 8pm on BBC One.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
