BBC Antiques Roadshow reveals surprising valuation for historic toy set thought to be worth £50

Daily Record

16-07-2025

Antiques Roadshow expert Hilary Kay was left asking one guest "really?" when she revealed the true value of her grandad's toy set that she had been left to play with.
A guest on Antiques Roadshow was left astounded by the unexpected valuation of her grandfather's vintage toy set. During the show's visit to Aston Hall in Birmingham, expert Hilary Kay was captivated by a vibrant toy set brought in by a guest.
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The toys depicted characters from a classic children's story. The expert couldn't hide her delight, exclaiming: "I feel as if I've stepped into a scene from The Wind and the Willows.
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"We've got all the characters there and we've got the caravan and the horse. It's absolutely charming. Where did it come from?".
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The guest shared an intriguing backstory, as reported by the Mirror. "The author Kenneth Grahame was a patient of my grandfather, who lived in Goring-on-Thames," she said.
Hilary connected the dots, remarking: "Which works very well, of course, because Kenneth Grahame, the author of The Wind and the Willows, lived in Cookham which is just down the road from Goring."
The conversation took a sentimental turn when the guest presented a cherished black and white photograph of her grandfather with her mother seated on his knee, drawing Kay's interest.
Hilary described the toys in detail: "They're flat cut wooden characters, beautifully painted and articulated with steel pins so they can move.
"And they are of a type which makes me think of a particular maker which is a company called Talford Toys. Talford Toys sounds like this massive enterprise. It was two sisters. Two sisters who lived in Talford Cottage in Reigate, set up Talford Toys."
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The guest then revealed a touching personal anecdote: "When Kenneth Grahame had this one made for my grandfather, he had one made for himself as well," she disclosed.
Hilary then spotted an unlikely addition amongst the collection, Winnie the Pooh. Grinning, she enquired: "Please tell me why Pooh Bear has muscled in to The Wind and the Willows?".
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The guest, laughing, explained: "Well apparently, Kenneth Grahame really liked Winnie the Pooh so he just added Winnie the Pooh."
Hilary playfully remarked: "And hoped that your grandfather would love him as much," to which the guest agreed. Gingerly handling the figure, Kay confessed: "I'm going to take my life in my hands and pick him up and hope I can put him down again.
"Winnie the Pooh here, we can see he's articulated. He can move his head, he can move his little arms, his legs."
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However, the BBC antiques expert delivered some disappointing news, noting: "I've checked on all the feet which is where the name would be written and there is no name. So no proof of Talford Toys but I do know that Talford Toys made a Pooh bear set.
"Of course, the characters in Pooh Bear were illustrations by Ernest Shepard, just as he was the illustrator of The Wind and the Willows. So there is a link there."
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The valuation continued: "There is quite a following as far as the collectibility of these toys are concerned. And the little figures can fetch £100, perhaps £200 a piece so my feeling is, including Pooh who is really enjoying his time by the river bank, I would put the estimate at perhaps £1,000 to £1,500."
The guest was completely stunned by the revelation, managing only to express her surprise with a simple: "Really?" Hilary showed appreciation for the guest's contribution of historical significance, saying: "So thank you for bringing to life that wonderful time in the 1920s and 1930s on the Thames in Berkshire."
The owner's face lit up with joy as she replied: "How exciting. Thank you Hilary." Later reflecting on the moment, the guest admitted: "I honestly thought it was going to be worth about £50, because I thought it was made by a local craftsman and it had been played with by my mother's family and me when I was little. So it's quite exciting."