‘Amazing’ objects unearthed in Newcastle-under-Lyme have stunned antiques expert Charles Hanson.
Charles, a familiar face on TV’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, said: “I came along to a free valuation event at the New Vic Theatre in September and couldn’t believe my eyes. We unearthed a treasure trove of amazing finds.
“For example, a gentleman from Stoke brought along a cigar that belonging to former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. His great aunt, a cinema usherette, picked it up when Churchill dropped it during a trip to The Coliseum in London to see a film in 1953.
“Remarkably, she wrote to 10 Downing Street to get permission from Churchill to tell her friends about it and he said yes. Both the Downing Street letter and cigar have been perfectly preserved. Thanks to the splendid provenance I was able to give it an estimate of £4,000 to £6,000.
“We also discovered a wonderful Renaissance jug, believed to be Italian Deruta pottery dating back to the 1500s which makes it around 500 years old. It received an estimate of £100-£200.”
The owner of the jug, Angela James, a supermarket worker from Newcastle, said: “It was given to my late mother by an archaeologist. I don’t know how he came to own it but a piece of paper in the neck of the jug says ‘Deruta 1515’.
“My mother passed away 20 years ago at the age of 86. The ewer has been on my kitchen shelf ever since. I love old stuff because it’s been treasured. Years ago, I took it along to Hanley Museum and was advised to have it authenticated by Oxford University but I never took it further.”
Charles, who will be back at the New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, on October 10, with fellow antiques expert Ray Heath, said: “We also saw some fine Moorcroft and Wedgwood ceramics and some wonderful First World War militaria including a War Medal, Victory Medal, German Iron Cross from 1914 and a German mouth organ rescued from the trenches.
“In all, some £15,000 to £20,000 worth of items were consigned to auction that day and I very hope much we can deliver a windfall for our clients. I can’t wait to come back to Newcastle. We had such a warm welcome and the New Vic Theatre is a wonderful venue.”
Charles Hanson and Ray Heath will be at The New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, ST5 0JG, on Thursday, October 10, 10am-2pm. Free valuations are also available at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire ST17 0XN, every Thursday, 10am-4pm. To find out more, or to arrange a free home visit or no-obligation quote for house clearance or downsizing, email [email protected].
