Antiques Roadshow viewers were left gobsmacked when a toy bear, passed down as a family treasure, was valued at an astonishing five-figure sum.
The ‘s beloved daytime show set its latest episode amidst the verdant splendour of Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, where antiques expert Marc Allum was on hand to greet a couple and their cherished stuffed bear.
Allum, visibly enthralled by the piece from the moment he presented it to the captivated crowd, expressed his excitement.
He revealed: “I’ve been working in the world of antiques for some 36 years and I’ve handled many amazing items in that time but I have never handled a black Steiff bear like this so this is a real honour for me to do this today.
“It’s an object that has a connection to Belfast too. What’s his name?”
Upon learning the bear’s name was Edward, Allum delved into its history: “So Edward, basically, made by Steiff, German company, was issued in 1912 for a very particular event and that was the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912.
“And that is why Edward is black, he’s a mourning bear in essence. So tell me your side of the story.”
Antiques Roadshow expert shares personal first is an honour as he gives bear major value (Image: BBC)
Antiques Roadshow guests were lost for words when their toy bear was valued for at least £10,000. (Image: BBC)
The owner then recounted: “He was given to my mother who was born in 1908 and all of her mother’s sisters had emigrated to Providence Rhode Island in the United States.
“So there were, of course, a lot of to-ing and fro-ing across the Atlantic at that time and we think associated with the bear.”
Expert Allum clarified that although the man’s relatives were not passengers on the Titanic, the bear from that era would have been given “reverence and respect” due to the association with the “great tragedy”.
Regarding the uniqueness of the Steiff bear, Allum said, “So when Steiff issued this bear, they sent perhaps 600 to Great Britain which is not a huge amount. They were expensive as well at the time.”
Curious about the bear’s accoutrement, Allum inquired: “His scarf isn’t original, who put the scarf on him? Do you know?”, to which the owner nonchalantly replied: “Don’t know. Probably mother.”
Jovially, the appraiser commented, “It kind of suits him, doesn’t it, I think”, before attesting to the unmistakable authenticity of the toy: “I can instantly tell he’s a Steiff. You can buy copies of this bear but you cannot basically copy this condition and this form of originality.
“As soon as you handed him to me, I knew he was spot on right. For a start, Steiff bears have a button in their ear, don’t they?
“But Edward hasn’t got a button in his ear but he has a big hole in his ear where the button went and in fact if you hold him up, you can see daylight through his ear.
“He’s filled with a material called excelsior or wood wool which is like wood shavings, strands basically.
Antiques Roadshow guests brought in a Steiff bear which had been made as a ‘mourning bear’ after the Titanic sunk in April 1912. (Image: BBC)
“And of course it’s broken down now and why has he been broken down? Because he’s been dragged around by his arm, hasn’t he? It’s kind of almost like that Christopher Robin sort of scenario.”
Allum mentioned distinct features of the bear such as “boot-button eyes” and felt pads on its paws which had succumbed to moth damage, deeming it a “major problem” for toys of this kind.
The expert went on to conclude: “So of course this is Antiques Roadshow, we have to talk about value and it’s a difficult one really.
“To be frank, these bears have made more at times. I think being honest with you at the moment, I think he’s worth £10,000 to £15,000 at auction.”
The bewildered guests were speechless, their expressions clear as they digested the staggering amount, while audience members audibly reacted to the revelation as the woman whispered in disbelief: “Oh my word.”
Allum continued: “It’s a significant amount of money but it’s a significant story locked up in this wonderful bear.”
Reflecting later in an interview, the owner cherished the bear’s narrative: “I think his history with the Titanic and the family history is really important and to try and preserve that for the next century would be lovely.”
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on One and iPlayer.