An Antiques Roadshow host once refused to value an item after realising its haunting backstory.
Known for uncovering the stories and monetary value behind treasures, the smash hit BBC TV show sometimes takes an unexpected turn as experts are handed items with a slightly more sinister backstory than most.
And one such item presented to expert Marc Allum had a history which meant its owner didn’t walk away with money, but with some valuable life lessons learned instead.
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The item was a World War II typewriter, and Allum told the owner: “Do you know, I took one look at this typewriter and really part of me initially thought the best thing that could happen to it were for it to be thrown in a skip.
“But this is a perfect example of how an object can be the catalyst and the momentum behind an incredible story.”
The owner went on to explain about the typewriter’s history.
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“During the Second World War, my grandparents used this - they were involved in the resistance movement in Nazi-occupied Poland," she explained.
The woman added: “My grandfather was an author and a journalist. He worked for the Underground Resistance Press and he was connected all over Europe.
“So I think this was exactly what they used to write about what was happening,” the owner explained to the expert.
Allum replied: “So, the remnants of the typewriter tell a story that is big."
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To which the owner shared: “The main thing that really hit me was that it was illegal to own anything like this in Poland during World War II.
"You would’ve been executed if they caught you with this but the fact my grandparents risked their lives to inform about what was going on, it really moves me,” she commented.
Allum then concluded the discussion by sharing his thoughts on whether it would sell at auction.
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“How do you value things like this?” the auctioneer asked, adding: “I’ll tell you, you don’t because what’s the point?
“As far as I’m concerned, this is valueless, but locked up in it is the most valuable story,” Allum continued.
“And for me, that’s what this rusty old typewriter is all about,” he concluded, thanking the woman for bringing the typewriter onto the show.
Previously, an item was presented to expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan when the show visited Cardiff, and the guest also left with a life lesson rather than a cash figure.
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Archer-Morgan is met by a woman who presents him with an object in the shape of a ring and the expert explained the history and the 'callous' links to the slave trade of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Looking more closely at the bangle, it has an inscription reading 'Prince Jemmy of Grandy'.
The bracelet and disc was created and used to act as an endorsement of the professional reputation of an African slave trader and has words such as 'honest fellow' also engraved.
Archer-Morgan slammed the original owner of the bracelet, noting: "I’d like to meet him and tell him how honest I think he is."
Topics: BBC, Film and TV, Money
Gregory Robinson