Antiques Roadshow - TV review
It doesn't matter where you are or what time it might be, as soon as you hear the opening bars of the theme tune for Antiques Roadshow you're transported straight back to Sunday evenings at home, getting ready for school and work the following day.
It doesn't matter where you are or what time it might be, as soon as you hear the opening bars of the theme tune for Antiques Roadshow you're transported straight back to Sunday evenings at home, getting ready for school and work the following day.
The programme fits perfectly with that Sunday evening mood, not too long or too taxing and perfect viewing for all the family.
Last night saw the experts return to Birmingham University. In the 'city of a thousand trades', it was inevitable that there would be a focus on two of the industries it is most famous for – cars and jewellery.
Some old headlamps are produced that have been restored by a specialist company in the Jewellery Quarter at a cost of £10,000. The owner is pleased to find that the restoration was a good enough job that they were now worth what he spent on it.
Another couple bring in albums featuring around 5,000 meticulous drawings and paintings of jewellery designs, which nowadays would only be attempted with the help of a computer programme, and are worth around £10,000.
Another man has some items of jewellery once owned by Princess Margaret.
He paid £19,000 for them and is told that they are worth no more than that but he seems delighted just to be able to show them off.
Expert David Battie is then called upon to value some giant Chinese vases.
Presenter Fiona Bruce , with a naughty giggle and that eyebrow raised even further than usual, tells us that he actually valued them 20 years ago at £10,000 but will he recognise them?
Of course he doesn't . Countless other far more remarkable items have been scrutinised by him in the meantime.
Next is a sewing box from 1790. The owner won't part with it but is pleased to know it's worth £600.
A table worth £1,500 that an owner has allowed her dogs to chew, damaging it to the tune of, you guessed it, £1,500, follows. And an original Sex Pistols T-shirt, with original sweat stains, is worth around £200.
Apparently struggling to provide viewers with a wow factor, and the trick on David Battie not really as exciting as Fiona would have us believe, we are treated to a rerun of a previous visit to Birmingham in which a piece of pottery is found to be worth at least £50,000.
The owners come forward one by one, asking the experts if they can 'tell me anything about it' when it is clear that what they (and we) really want to know is how much is it worth. Somehow they seem to think it would be vulgar to ask this outright or to express too much delight that they are sitting on a small fortune.
But every now and again something comes in for which value is irrelevant.
Last night it was an album of photographs and letters from troops serving in the Second World War.
The pictures were taken as part of a YMCA scheme whereby soldiers would request images of family members and amateur photographers would take them and forward them on.
It is something most people would never have heard of but gives an insight into the life of the soldiers on the frontline.
In true Antiques Roadshow tradition, the best is saved 'til last. Last night it was a travelling set in a wooden box. Inside are silver boxes, manicure items, an ivory brush set and even candle holders.
In perfect condition, it dates back to 1844 and was made by the Royal goldsmith to Queen Victoria. The owner paid £35,000 for it at auction in 1998 and he is happy to find it is now worth at least £100,000.
But this is clearly no surprise for him and there is none for the viewer. Just an hour's distraction and mild entertainment before the working week begins.
Sally-Anne Youll
