In Pictures: The most expensive items and priceless treasures discovered on Antiques Roadshow
Across 47 remarkable seasons, Antiques Roadshow has unearthed some of the most astonishing treasures imaginable.
From dusty heirlooms to movie props and priceless first-edition books, the show has appraised items so rare they've left experts – and viewers – speechless.
Stream episodes of Antiques Roadshow for free on 9Now.
On 26 November 2024, 9Now launched a 24/7 fast channel airing episodes of Antiques Roadshow – so what better way to celebrate than a trip down memory lane?
Scroll through to discover just some of the most expensive and unforgettable finds to date...
A vase gifted from an ex-boyfriend
This Antiques Roadshow guest got the shock of her life when she came on to get a vase gifted by an old ex-boyfriend valued.
The elderly woman explained she came to be the owner of the vase through an ex when they were dating in the late 1950s.
She said: "My then boyfriend was at photography college with a friend of Hans Coper. We got invited to tea at the house and Hans Coper was there. My boyfriend expressed an interest in his work and Hans Coper gifted him this.
"Well my boyfriend walked out with it but when we split, he left me with a pot."
When the host revealed exactly how much the vase was worth all these decades later, the guest couldn't believe her ears...
A vase gifted from an ex-boyfriend
While the vase might've appeared unassuming the host explained it was actually he most exceptional piece of Hans Coper pottery.
Hans Coper was an influential potter who lived from 1920 to 1981.
The host explained this case could sell for up to £60,000 (AU$118,000).
"People really love [Hans Coper's] work. I know that its sibling was offered for sale in America about 18 months ago. It carried a pre sale auction estimate of $20,000 – $30,000 US dollars. It sold for £60,000 dollars," he said.
He added: "With your story and first hand provenance, I think this would comfortably carry an estimate in the UK of £40,000 – £60,000."
The guest's jaw dropped after the valuation as she said: "Good heavens. That's amazing. I never thought it would be that much."
An important reminder to always ask for gifts from your ex back after the break up – you never know how much they could be worth.
A children's book
Antiques expert Justin Croft was used to seeing old books. But this book wasn't old at all.
Beloved children's book 'Guess How Much I Love You' by Sam McBratney was first published in 1994.
In fact, millions of copies of have been sold worldwide. Why was this copy so valuable?
A children's book
This copy was owned by the late author's wife.
With it, came a scrapbook filled with McBratney's original notes, drafts and illustrations.
"It's amazing to see," Croft exclaimed.
"It's very difficult to value this book. There are millions of copies of it all over the place."
Even the first edition there would be "thousands" still in existence.
A children's book
"In months, the first million was sold," the owner revealed.
And while the phrase 'I love you to the moon and back' is commonly heard, it was first coined by her husband in this book here.
If sold together, Croft speculated an incredible value of £3,000 to £4,000 (upwards of $7,974).
A legendary autograph
When antiques expert Raj Bisram was presented with three autographs, he recognised them instantly.
"Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell," Bisram revealed.
"The three of them were the Jimi Hendrix experience," he explained. "Jimi was one of the greatest musicians that ever lived."
The owner had a friend who was a huge Hendrix fan and scored them backstage passes for a festival held on Jimi Hendrix's 25th birthday.
The three band members signed the back of their tickets.
A legendary autograph
"Obviously Jimi Hendrix is the one that's the most valuable," Bisram explained.
"But putting them all three together, if these went to auction they would make somewhere between £5,000 to £7,000 (up to $13,954).
A legendary autograph
"What? You're joking," said the owner as her jaw dropped.
"That's crazy. Crazy!"
A Shakespeare notebook
In 2017, books expert Matthew Haley was presented with a tiny book worth an "astonishing" amount.
The small notebook was titled 'Shakespeare: Comedyes & Tradgedyes' and was believed to be passed down by the owners "five times great grandfather".
Featuring 17th century handwriting, the personal notebook was a collection of quotes and thoughts on Shakespeare's original plays.
While small in size, its value will stun you.
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