Antiques Roadshow guest gasps at massive value of late husband's jewels
An Antiques Roadshow expert was left in awe at a woman's collection of Royal jewellery which had been passed down to her late husband.
An Antiques Roadshow guest admitted she "nearly didn't bother" attending the filming of the BBC series, shortly after her jewellery collection was revealed to be worth a small fortune.
In a 2008 episode filmed at Lichfield Cathedral, appraiser Geoffrey Munn came across a treasure trove of gems presented by a woman who had come into possession of the items through inheritance.
She recounted: "This jewellery came from my late husband's family and as far as I believe, my father-in-law's grandmother was nanny to Queen Alexandra and Edward II's children or Lord and Lady Nollie's children. Lady Charlotte Nollie was laid in wait to Queen Alexandra."
Impressed by her account, Munn responded with enthusiasm: "Well fantastic and there's plenty of evidence to back that up, isn't there?
"These magnificent little presentation brooches are sort of a little march through her career."
As he gestured toward a specific item, he continued: "This is the cipher of Queen Alexandra, the double A isn't it? Under the royal crown and so perhaps this was a Christmas present."
Positing on another gift, he mused: "Maybe that's a birthday present and yet another one and this nanny would wear them with enormous pride, I'm absolutely sure."
The expert directed his attention towards two standout pieces which he predicted would invoke immense pride.
Munn said: "Have you thought at all about the date 1902? Why that would be so special? It's the coronation of Edward VII.
"Certainly, this dear Mrs Martin, the nanny, would have shared in the great drama that surrounded the coronation of Edward VII.
"So I believe the people that went to that coronation would have been given a medal such as this.
"More intimate friends would have been given a brooch where the date 1902 is laid out very precisely in the lid."
The revelation of "stunning telegrams" captured the expert's interest immensely, evidencing their profound connection.
Upon examining a specific telegram, he states: "It says, handed in at Sandringham, 'Mrs Martin at Sir John Nollie's stable yard, St James' Palace' and it says, and I think this is full of drama, I really do: 'Poor dear baba and tiny mama miss nana very much.
"'Hope she is well and not too sad, signed Princess of Wales."
When the guest asked if the "sadness" was due to Queen Alexandra's death, he concurred: "That's absolutely right, isn't it. Of course living with them, you're going to get that. Absolutely marvellous.
"I'm sure it was a very, very exciting moment to receive that."
Looking at another telegram, Munn went on to say: "Similar excitement here. Fantastically exciting invitation. It says, at Sandringham, 'The Queen wishes to let nana know that she's expected here as usual for Christmas.'
"Fantastic, isn't it? Straight from the heart. My goodness."
She commented warmly on the whole discovery, noting it was "lovely" and highlighted "their closeness".
The expert probed the guest about her attachment to the pieces, eliciting the response: "I just love them. I feel as though I'd like to go back in time and be part of it.
"But I suppose in a way I am a part of it, because they have ended up in my care."
As appraisal time approached, the expert Geoffrey Munn was visibly uncomfortable with placing a price on such items: "So value. Goodness. Well this is almost vulgarity to value them. I don't know where to start."
He began by valuing an Edward VII coronation medallion at around £600, followed by a brooch from the same event at a surprising £1,250, causing the owner to gasp aloud with a stunned "Gosh".
Munn then examined a more intricate brooch, pricing it at approximately £1,750, and proceeded to reveal that a deceptively simple yet sophisticated watch could command an impressive £2,000, leaving the guest both shocked and delighted.
Highlighting another stunning item, Munn celebrated its elegance: "And then back here with more colour in translucent green enamel and white enamel and pearls.
"These aren't just masterpieces of ciphers and monograms; they're deliberate in their use of colour and texture, and boast a tangible three-dimensionality that renders them sculptures within boxes – worth around another £2,000.
"So heavens, I don't know what it all adds up to."
To wrap up the valuations, the guest chuckled heartily, admitting her near-miss: "I nearly didn't bother to come today."
Visibly surprised, he queried: "Did you not?", to which the owner responded: "Nearly stayed at home and decorated."
Grinning broadly, Munn expressed his relief: "Well I'm massively relieved you put the paintbrush down. You've really made my day and this is absolutely marvellous."
He continued: "I know you're going to take great care of them because you care about them, don't you?", and she affirmed her affection, saying she cares about them "very, very much".
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