An Antiques Roadshow guest was left speechless after discovering the true value of a rare Led Zeppelin vinyl single that "shouldn't even exist" in the UK. The episode, aired on October 4, featured Fiona Bruce at the helm, taking viewers to Caerphilly Castle in south Wales.
Among the items brought by the public were a handwritten letter from Albert Einstein and three paintings by Nigerian artist Akinola Lasekan. The synopsis for the episode also mentioned an Egyptian scarab beetle necklace over 3,500 years old, a ballet-inspired Sèvres figurine, a Chinese silver tea set from the 1930s, and a rare piece of Swansea porcelain packed away for 50 years.
Rare vinyl discovery
The guest showed the 1969 single "Whole Lotta Love" to expert Marc Alum, who was also stunned. The band had never officially released the single in the UK, with rumours of only about 500 copies in existence. The guest explained he received it from a record shop rep in early 1970 while looking for records to start a disco.
Marc noted the single "should never have been released in the UK" and that it "shouldn't really exist." After spotting scratches and a fingerprint mark, he revealed the estimated auction value.
Value revealed
The guest, who admitted the record had not gone down well at discos, was stunned to learn it would be worth around £1,000. He joked, "Oh, erm, can we keep it a secret?" and told producers he had kept it for 55 years, planning to pass it to his daughters, adding, "I don't think I'll play it again, basically because it will devalue it."
Antiques Roadshow can also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
