BBC’s Antiques Roadshow made for surprising viewing on Sunday evening after expert Fuchsia Voremberg valued a mountaineer’s expedition tools at £70,000.
The family of the famous mountaineer Theodore Howard Somervell appeared on the show to see how much some of his tools and paintings would be worth.
Sitting next to Theodore’s grandson and great-grandson, Fuchsia was initially stunned to see the number of tools that were bought onto the show.
She said: “So I took the train up to Birmingham this morning, and I was completely surrounded by hikers on their way to the peak district.
“They never had any kit that looked like this, though, can you tell me a little bit about these incredible objects that you have bought along?”
(Image: BBC)
Somervell’s grandson replied: “Well, they all belonged to my grandfather, I’m the grandson, and these two boys are great-grandsons.”
Adding more insight, Fuchsia then said: “And your grandfather is Theodore Howard Somervell, it is so unreal and a really famous name in the history of mountaineering.
“He was on the 1922 and the 1924 British Everest expedition?”
Showing Fuchsia a picture, he replied: “Correct, and this photograph was taken at 27,000 feet in 1924 at the time, it was the highest photograph ever taken by mankind.”
(Image: BBC)
Appearing impressed, the expert said: “I mean, it is hard to know where to begin, he had so many eyes in the fire, and we could do a whole programme on him.”
After discussing the mountaineer in great detail, including the incredible paintings he made, Fuchsia got down to business.
She said: “There is a lot of stuff here, and giving a collection like this a valuation is pretty complicated.
(Image: BBC)
“But I can have a guess, so when you take into account the paintings, the climbing aids, the sketchbooks, it would be something in the region of £70,000.”
Astonished by the discovery, Theodore’s grandson exclaimed: “Man, you’re joking!” whilst the rest of the family were appeared to be rather speechless as they turned and giggled at each other.
Fuchsia then went on to ask the woman who was with them: “Does that change the way you feel about these items?”
Startled by the revelation, she replied: “Amazing, I have always known he was amazing.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
