An Antiques Roadshow guest was given a stern warning by an expert as they valued a majorly historical item – Florence Nightingale’s toolkit.
The hit BBC show returned for another instalment on Sunday evening (July 23) with host Fiona Bruce back at the helm.
Antique specialist Hilary was delighted when a guest brought in a toolkit that was owned by none other than Florence Nightingale.
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According to the guest, her grandfather inherited the toolkit from the famous Victorian nurse, who was apparently his great aunt.
Admiring the item, Hilary said: “It’s not a professional one – I’d have said it’s a good amateur toolkit, used by a hobby carpenter.”
The guest showed Hilary a photograph in the toolkit and pointed out her grandfather in the snap, along with the face of Florence Nightingale.
“These are a group of her Nightingale nurses. And their matron from St Thomas’ Hospital,” the guest revealed.
Hilary 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.”
The expert then revealed that toolkit, which dated back to the 1800s, would normally be worth hundreds of pounds.
However, Hilary urged the guest to do some digging to find some evidence that it was related to Florence.
If she did, she couple bump up the price by a huge amount.
She explained: “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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Hilary added: “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 significant jump in valuation meant the owner of the toolkit would need solid proof of a Florence link.
She then 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. Go find it!”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
