Antiques Roadshow fans were left gobsmacked this week as a pair of Queen Victoria’s old knickers appeared on the show – and received an eye-watering valuation.
Expert Hilary Kay was tasked with evaluating what she cheekily dubbed “Victoria’s secret”, with her guest explaining: “We are looking at a very fine pair of Queen Victoria’s knickers.”
Hilary then added: “They are a fabulous pair of what is known as open drawers. It’s an extraordinary rarity, I have to say.”
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Speaking of how she first accumulated the undies, the guest explained: “Back in the family several generations there was a baronetcy who clearly worked with titled individuals.
“My great granny was given these by one of the maids of the bedchamber.”
(Image: BBC)
Expert Hilary said: “Of course, Queen Victoria gave away her intimate apparel as tokens of friendship, really. They’re a very fine linen, incredibly fine.”
But the valuation was what had fans gobsmacked, as she revealed that the last pair of bloomers had sold for an incredible £16,000.
Leaving the guest in hysterical laughter, Hilary said: “I’d have no hesitation in valuing these at around that figure. I’m going to go a little bit below, maybe £12,000 to £16,000.
“It’s a huge sum of money but it really is a reflection of the regard with which Victoria is held today.”
Later in the show, the BBC programme made history with one of its most valuable items ever.
Expert Frances Christie was on hand to evaluate a full sheet of penny black stamps showing Queen Victoria.
She explained: “There has never been a full sheet like this that has ever come up onto the open market. It’s never going to come up, but if it were to ever come up… this is multiples of millions.
“You could see it going into eight figures. It really is a very, very special thing.”
(Image: BBC)
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She added: “I actually think this could be one of the most valuable things we’ve ever had on the Antiques Roadshow.”
Unfortunately, the sheet wasn’t for sale – but fans were left gobsmacked nonetheless.
One penned: “Penny Black, almost full sheet, EIGHT figures!”
“Tonight’s #antiquesroadshow is brilliant! A full page of penny blacks,” another fan agreed.
As someone else was more distracted by the knickers, writing on Twitter: “Anybody else completely befuddled that so far the valuations have Queen Victoria’s knickers more valuable than anything else including jewels etc?”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
