BBC Antiques Roadshow treasures in your loft - from childhood toys to old lamps
14.01.2024 - 15:53
/ ok.co.uk
Antiques Roadshow is a much loved show that is, literally, part of the British furniture.
The BBC first broadcast it back in 1979, and over the years, the many different presenters have uncovered the "fascinating stories behind valuable personal items." Granted, not every belonging featured on the show amasses a fortune similar to the 1996 Only Fools and Horses episode, 'Time On Our Hands,' where Del Boy and Rodney finally become millionaires after they auction off an old pocket watch at Sotheby's. However, sometimes, certain people strike lucky, and learn that their family heirloom or childhood toy is worth way more than they would have ever expected.
Take a guest who appeared on the US edition of the show, who brought in their old Barbie doll to find out how much it would go for. Upon examination, the vintage doll expert Billye Harris revealed that this particular Barbie could fetch a whopping $600 to $850, despite the owner revealing she initially purchased it for under $5.
The original American Girl Barbie was made in 1965 by Mattel and was still in its case.
Plus, she was complete with her bathing suit and three other outfits. So, if you have any original Barbies in perfect condition lying around in your loft, now's your sign to dust off the cobwebs and find out how much she could be worth.
Elsewhere on the show, two sisters were stunned to find that their mother's Tiffany lamp had massively increased in value. According to the owners, their mother purchased it in the late 1960s for $125, but over five decades later, it's now worth a huge $80,000 to $120,000.
Aside from these two items, our UK version has also seen a vast amount of valuables pass through its doors. For example, in 2018, Charlotte Bronte's mourning
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