Antiques Roadshow expert values mysterious portrait
An Antiques Roadshow guest appeared on the BBC show with an item that he thought was going to bring him some big money. Taking their hidden treasure to Stonor Park in Oxfordshire, one visitor presented a portrait from one guest with a deep familial connection to the experts.
Chris Yeo was intrigued by the item as he asked for extra information. He said: "You brought this in today. What can you tell me about it?"
The Antiques Roadshow guest replied: "My father recently passed away and we've been going through sorting out his house, under the stairs we found about 30 pictures, nearly all by people called Stead which is my surname! This chap particularly appealed to me."
Delving into the intricacies of the portrait, Yeo said: "Well if you look at the picture itself, it's an engraving and the gentleman in question is probably a minister, possibly a pastor, and holding what we imagine to be a bible or prayer book, possibly.
"We can date this picture absolutely accurately because it is dated, 1934, along with the signature, Leslie Stead. What relation was he to you?"
READ MORE Antiques Roadshow guest admits rescuing valuable cartoon from 'garbage can' [LATEST]
The guest responded: "He would've been my grandfather's brother so my great-uncle I believe." He added a bit more information about the painting as he said: "I know a little bit, Leslie Stead was an illustrator, he famously illustrated the Biggles books..."
But the expert interrupted as he asked: "So a big Biggles connection?" The guest continued: "Yes. And I just liked the picture, I thought it was interesting and thought someone else might like to see it."
Despite the guest being somewhat knowledgeable about the item, the valuation price came as a shock. When it came to speaking numbers, Chris said: "It's a great image. I mean, value-wise it isn't huge. What are we talking? £80 to £120, that sort of figure."
Don't miss...
Antiques Roadshow guest gobsmacked over inherited statue's staggering price tag [LATEST]
Antiques Roadshow guest teary-eyed as husband to ‘die’ upon pottery's big value [REACTION]
Antiques Road Trip's Natasha Raskin Sharp 'devastated' over loss [UPDATE]
The guest just nodded his head in agreement, as he looked somewhat disheartened. But the expert thought that the painting had more value than just the monetary price tag.
He added: "In so many ways, the real story here is who is this man? Is there anyone watching now who could perhaps help us identify him because there's a story to be told here and it would be lovely to know more." The guest replied: "Definitely".
Elsewhere on the show, guests brought ancient wooden carvings, an antique from Pearl Harbour and an LS Lowry painting to be examined by the experts.
