Antiques Roadshow leaves viewers gobsmacked at value of 'extraordinary' human hair
Antiques Roadshow viewers were in shock when a guest produced some envelopes containing the hair of famous poets.
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Antiques Roadshow continued on BBC One at the weekend and it saw one guest showcase a collection of papers.
His collection also contained envelopes and pictures from a range of romantic poets, from Samuel Taylor Coleridge to Williams Wordsmith and Robert Southey.
The three envelopes contained strands of each poet’s hair and specialist Justin Croft was left intrigued.
The guest explained: "I got them because they were handed down by my father and grandfather.
"The hair was taken very often if the couple were going to be parting, they would take some hair as a sort of keepsake."
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He continued: "I presume that's how they all came together. They were sat in the bottom drawer at home for as long as I have known them."
Justin said he was "dying to have a look" at the hair, some of which dated back to the 1800s.
Some of the hair had been taken from Coleridge on his deathbed, which left the expert fascinated.
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"There it is, just a tiny scrap, a lock of dark, slightly wirey hair but clearly the hair of a young man," he said as he examined the first envelope.
"So that in itself, it's quite extraordinary just holding that, I have to say. It takes me very close to those great poets."
Looking at Coleridge's white hair, which was taken from him at the age of 62, the expert said it was "incredibly moving".
Regarding the value, Justin said: "If we want to talk value, with the picture and locks of hair, without a show of a doubt we’re looking at £30,000 to £40,000."
"I'll have to look after them a bit better," the guest laughed, with viewers left in shock.
David Brady declared on Twitter: "30 to 40 thousand quid for ancient hair cuttings #AntiquesRoadshow"
Another viewer proclaimed: "£30-£40k!” as someone else questioned: “Pubic hair?”
Antiques Roadshow airs on Sundays on BBC One