Antiques Roadshow expert ‘flabbergasted’ over valuation of Queen Victoria’s cake slices
Antiques Roadshow expert Marc Allum was left totally ‘flabbergasted’ by his guest’s unique collection of Queen Victoria memorabilia, because they weren’t just any old items. They were pieces of cake from landmark events during her reign as monarch in the 19th century.
I’m quite flabbergasted by this, it’s a collection of pieces of cake
Marc Allum
Welcoming his guest, he investigated the wooden box filled with pieces of cake, all individually wrapped in what looks like parchment with notes attached, detailing where the pieces originated from.
“I’m quite flabbergasted by this, it’s a collection of pieces of cake,” the BBC expert began.
“Now they’re royal pieces of cake aren’t they,” he noted before asking the owner how she had come across them.
“My mother lived in Windsor and she had a friend who had connections in Windsor Castle and that’s how I got them,” she smiled.
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Marc looked bewildered as he started to rifle carefully through the box of royal history.
“Well around them are some peripheral items and as I dug through, one of them being silk from Queen Victoria’s train!” he said excitedly.
“And apparently it becomes more exciting because as we dig in, if we take this piece out wrapped in cellophane here and read this, it says Queen Victoria’s 80th birthday cake, 1899.”
Utterly baffled to have come across such a unique finding, he continued to read the notes to find out what other hidden gems had been stowed away in the chest.
He began by explaining the traditions behind giving away cake: “We have a very strong tradition for giving cake away after weddings and birthdays, for people who may have been absent or just as a souvenir.
“We send them pieces of cake and here we have from the 19th century – I’m absolutely staggered because we have pieces of fruitcake here that are 120, 130, 140, 150 years old,” the BBC expert exclaimed, as his guest giggled.
“I’m staggered by all the royal connections going on in this little box,” he said, as he noticed all the little notes had been inscribed in the same handwriting.
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“It’s probably one of the most difficult things I’ve ever tried to value on Antiques Roadshow,” Marc sighed, before making his valuation recommendation that not only left him, but also the owner speechless.
“I’ve counted quickly in there and I’ve seen 16 pieces of fruitcake, with a casket of royal provenance and lots of peripheral items that have royal connection with Victoria.
“I really think this is worth between £3,000 and £5,000.”
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His guest looked taken aback: “I had no idea it would be anything like that,” she said, stunned at the revelation.
But she wasn’t the only one.
“I think I may have even surprised myself!” Marc laughed.
Antiques Roadshow continues Sunday at 8pm on BBC.
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