Gary Piattoni gives appraisal of Duke Kahanamoku photos
An Antiques Roadshow gasped upon discovering the astonishing value of her grandmother's book.
During an episode filmed at the Idaho Botanical Garden, the American edition of the beloved BBC show featured appraiser Gary Piattoni, who was presented with a family photo album steeped in sporting history.
The owner shared a touching story: "This was my grandmother's and grandfather's. They went to Hawaii in 1922, during that time, they met the Duke Kahanamoku and all of his brothers and they went surfing with him. My grandmother didn't want to leave so my grandfather married her there."
Piattoni was visibly impressed, remarking: "Wow. First of all, you've just got to love the cover, Hawaiian tapa cloth and then let's take a peak of some of these."
He proceeded to highlight several photographs, including one of the guest's grandmother with Duke, another capturing her surfing with one of his brothers, and a signed photo dedicated to her grandparents Rita and Al, reports the Mirror.
He further explained: "Duke Kahanamoku was really kind of discovered as a swimmer. He was a five-time medallist in the Olympics but he's known throughout the world as the father or maybe even grandfather of modern surfing.
"He introduced it to America but also New Zealand and Australia and from all accounts, a pretty great guy.
"This book is at an early stage in his career and right around this time, he moved to California. It offers an insight not only to Duke early in his career but also to your grandparents.
"Collectors like this, because maybe some of these larger photos may have been seen by other folks or may have been published but for sure, the snapshots with your grandmother, and kind of the candids that are out there, they have never been seen before.
"And with the rise of surfing as a sport in this country and all over the world, it has created huge fans of Duke and the early days of surfing."
He asked if the guest remembered seeing the book as a child, before she elaborated: "Whenever I go to my grandmother's and I ask her tales of Hawaii - she went often - she would always bring out this book."
It was then time for the appraisal: "If you ever were to sell it - you probably won't - but conservatively, at auction, such a book, with all the pictures of him, your grandmother, and his family members could easily bring $10,000 to $15,000."
Upon hearing the value, the guest gasped: "Whoa", with the expert stating: "It's pretty amazing."
"Unexpected! Wow. Wow. That's excellent", she continued.
Piattoni added: "It's amazing. And I was just floored to see it", with the guest holding back tears as he described it as a "special book".
Taking a deep breath, she concurred: "It is, it is very special. That's wonderful. My grandmother would be proud."
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
