A Winnie the Pooh book bought for just 30p from a charity shop left its owner speechless after it was valued at £1,400 on BBC's Antiques Roadshow. The episode, filmed at Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey, saw antiquarian book expert Clive Farahar examine the copy of the first Winnie the Pooh book by A. A. Milne, originally published in 1926.
The guest revealed that her mother had purchased the book from a charity shop for around 20p to 30p, along with several others for her grandchildren. The book had remained in the house largely unnoticed until the guest's daughter received a Winnie the Pooh teddy, prompting a search that uncovered the valuable edition.
Farahar inspected the book, noting its 'beautiful green' colour and mostly intact dust wrapper, aside from a small tear. He also pointed out an inscription inside dated Christmas 1944, reading: 'To the lady of uncertain age from the same admirer'. The guest estimated the original cost at 20p to 30p, to which the expert replied: 'I can value it at £1,400'.
The stunned guest exclaimed: 'Seriously? £1,400? My mother would be over the moon, because she loved this program.' She added that it was 'lucky I didn't sell it'. The crowd gasped at the valuation, and Farahar smiled, thanking her for bringing the book in.
The find highlights the hidden treasures that can turn up in charity shops, with the book's first-edition status and decent condition driving its four-figure sum. Antiques Roadshow continues to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
