BBC Antiques Roadshow guest speechless over value of 'unique and special' item

Sunday's edition of Antiques Roadshow took viewers away to Ealing, where a variety of intriguing heirlooms surfaced for expert evaluation.

The latest episode of the BBC show served up a real treat for expert Matthew Haley who encountered a highly unusual keepsake.

During the episode, which was set against the backdrop of Ealing's Pitzhanger Manor, it presented an array of fascinating objects for assessment.

However, it was one object which caught the attention of Antiques Roadshow expert Matthew Haley who was blown away by the rare find.

One woman had brought a rather odd looking photobook to get valued by the expert. Ahead of looking inside, Matthew admitted: "I've been in this business for about 20 years and I had never seen one of these before until about a month ago. This is the third one I've seen in the past month."

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Eager to delve into the history and function of the photobook, the BBC star told the owner that it was known as a Harlequinade, characterised by flippable pages that join together to disclose a continuous tale.

By flipping the top part of each page, it fashions a fresh image while keeping the bottom section constant. Curious, the BBC expert was keen to discover how the women came into its possession.

She replied: "It's my partners. He was left it by a friend of his about two years ago and we know nothing about it at all."

Intrigued by the creation, the expert couldn't help but reveal his fascination even before thoroughly examining the photobook.

He added: "It's really, really curious. It starts with the story of Adam and Eve. It's done in manuscript in ink, handmade and water coloured."

Matthew, while leafing through the book on Antiques Roadshow, showed how a single flap could change the image completely, turning Eve into a mermaid and even depicting a lion in a crown.

The book's pages continued to surprise with a watercolour image of a man by a large house and a final page featuring a skeleton.

Matthew remarked: "I mean, it's really weird, isn't it!?". To which the owner agreed, adding: "I didn't know what to make of it if I'm honest."

He queried her guess on the book's age, and she speculated it was from the 18th century.

Matthew confirmed her suspicion before revealing how much it could potentially earn her should it go up for auction.

The BBC star added: "Now, having said that this is the third one of these that I've seen in a month, they are still quite rate. Obviously, each one is unique and special. At auction, I think you'd expect it to make at least £1,000."

The owner was clearly astounded as she replied: "Wow! I didn't think it was going to be that much, thank you! Thank you very much."

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.