A woman who claimed to own the toolkit owned by Florence Nightingale was given a stern warning on Antiques Roadshow.
In an episode of the BBC One show, that first aired on May 6, expert Hilary Kay examined the item and gave her professional opinion.
She revealed it could worth as much as £7,000 or a mere £200 – and it all depended on having the paperwork.
The guest told her: “My grandfather inherited this toolkit from Florence Nightingale, who was his great aunt.”
Hilary said: “So let’s just think about Florence Nightingale herself.
“She was born in 1820 she was named Florence because she was born in Florence.
(Image: BBC)
“Girls at that time were not expected to have an education – Florence’s father was very forward-looking wasn’t he?
“She persuaded her father to allow her to go to Germany to study nursing, which she did.
“And then of course the Crimean War broke out in 1853 and Florence went up and gathered together a group of nurses.
“So we know Florence went to the Crimea in 1854. Does this is any way fit in with that date? The answer is yes.”
(Image: BBC)
Hilary said the brand of the toolkit would fit in with the era in which the guest said it came from.
The expert said: “I’ve got this image in my mind of Florence as she sets to in the hospital.
“She’s restoring this, gouging that, chiselling that with the equivalent of a 19th century toolkit.”
But Hilary then gave the guest some disappointing news.
“The family link is good. And the date is good. As it is, it’s going to be worth about £200.
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“If we can make a paper trail to Florence Nightingale, then we’re going to be talking about £5,000, £6,000 or £7,000 – who knows?”
The guest now had to get hold of paperwork to prove that the toolkit did indeed belong to Florence Nightingale.
Hilary commented: “It would be a major find – if you can find that bit of paper.
“So I would encourage you to go through those family records.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
