Antiques Roadshow guest lost for words as old set of UNDERWEAR connected to British hero issued eye-watering valuation in ‘career first’ for BBC expert

An Antiques Roadshow guest was lost for words after a set of old underwear earned an eye-watering valuation, making a ‘career first’ for a BBC expert.

In a new episode that aired on Sunday, the roadshow returned to Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, where finds included a rare opal collection, a pair of 300-year-old long johns and an Albert Medal for gallantry.

Expert Chris Yeo met with a local man whose great great great grandfather owned a mill in Derbyshire and had an unlikely connection to British hero Florence Nightingale.

He brought in an old brown pair of long jonhs and the contract of purchase of the mill to get them valued.

Explaining the history behind the contract, the man said: ‘John Smedley was my great, great, great grandfather. 

‘He was a spinner of cotton in the mill in Derbyshire, which he rented from the Nightingales and in 1983 he bought the mill from the Nightingale family.’

Pointing out Florence Nightingale’s signature, the expert added: ‘And this is the actual deed here. If we work our way down, there we are, the lady herself Florence Nightingale, widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing.’  

Moving on to the long johns, the guest said: ‘These were made for the Emperor of Japan in 1916. These are vicuna long johns. Vicuna is a particularly fine wool, it comes from a llama-like animal.

‘We kept an example of everything we make, including these.’

Shocked at the unique item, Chris laughed: ‘Now, in my career, I’ve never been asked to value a pair of long johns before. 

‘I think probably £500. The deeds here, Florence Nightingale’s signature turns up from time to time and normally makes between £500 and £700.

‘The fact that it’s actually within these documents that are linked to the firm, I think puts it on a different level. I can see that fetching, I’m going to say £1,000 to £1,500.

‘Wow, yeah,’ responded the guest, seeming lost for words at the combined valuation.

It comes after another guest was left floored when they learned the truth behind their crown ‘fit for a king’ – as the BBC expert admitted ‘he’d buy one but can’t afford it’.

On Sunday’s instalment of the BBC show, the people of Cromford Mills in Derbyshire brought their hidden gems to the experts for valuation.

Chris Yeo’s face lit up when one guest presented him with a gold and red velvet crown which doubled as a trinket box from Chatsworth House.

The woman explained that it was given to her by her husband two years ago a Valentine’s Day gift, but had originally come from an attic sale at the famous estate back in 2010.

An excited Chris replied: ‘What it is is a crown fit for a King, you might say, or even a Duke.

‘Probably for storing trinkets. Victorian, with this gilt metal outline and a velvet inset.

Opening it up, the expert continued: ‘If you turn the crown, like that, then the top comes off and you have a velvet lined interior.

‘It’s a lovely, lovely thing. Extremely good quality. It’s something I would be delighted to have at home.’

Chris recalled wanting the item when he saw it, or one similar, at Chatsworth House during a visit but ‘couldn’t afford it’.

Revealing the value of the beautiful piece, he said: ‘Which brings us on to price. If that came to auction now, with Chatsworth province, I can see that fetching between £800 and £1,200.’

He asked the guest if she loved it even more now she knew the value, to which she replied: ‘I love it, I just love it.

‘I’m very happy. I think my husband will be really pleased. I think he’s just as intrigued as I am to find out a little bit more so yeah we’re very happy.’

Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer