An Antiques Roadshow guest was left gasping as she learned the eye-watering value of an ‘iconic and truly beautiful’ showbiz artefact from her late husband. 

Expert Stephen Lane was joined by a female guest on the most recent episode of the BBC One spin-off show, Unseen Treasures, as it took to Bedfordshire’s Shuttleworth House. 

He was left thrilled to see a piece of theatre history brought for valuation, that was said to have been worn by actor Michael Crawford during the Phantom of the Opera’s long-running stint on stage on London’s West End.  

The guest brought the prop, alongside a crew jacket and a script, to see how much it would be worth should she decided to part with it. 

She explained that her late husband had been a member of the original cast during the shows 1986 run, and was gifted the mask by Michale, 84, after he left the show. 

Expert Stephen said as he examined the piece of costume history: ‘So we can see that this has been used for many, many shows.

An Antiques Roadshow guest was left gasping as she learned the eye-watering value of an ‘iconic and truly beautiful’ showbiz artefact from her late husband

The guest brought the prop, alongside a crew jacket and a script, to see how much it would be worth should she decided to part with it

‘There’s some sort of a build-up of makeup, perhaps makeup residue here. So it looks like it’s had great heavy use.

‘To go to the next level, really what I want to do is research this in further depth and see if we can find a photo, a behind-the-scenes photo or a stage show shot of Michael wearing the mask.

‘Because as we look at the mask, there are a number of inherent details here and I’m just going to point to some of these. 

‘There’s some paint splashes the way that it’s been painted just along under the eye here and then there’s a little dent in the paintwork just in here as well.

‘So what’s really important to establish here is if this was a mask worn by Michael or by a stand-in and it really makes a difference in the value.

‘On one hand it’s going to be an interesting thing, it’s iconic in its own right, but if it’s worn by Michael Crawford it really elevates the value.

‘But as it stands today, I think it’s a highly desirable and collectible artefact.’

Stephen then confirmed the mammoth valuation for the item: I wouldn’t hesitate to put an estimate on it of about £5,000 to £10,000.

‘So really, really valuable. If we can do that further research, I think the likelihood is if we can match it up and that should be possible, then you’re going to double that I think £10,000 to £20,000.’

Expert Stephen Lane was joined by a female guest on the most recent episode of the BBC One spin-off show, Unseen Treasures, as it took to Bedfordshire’s Shuttleworth House

She explained that her late husband had been a member of the original cast during the shows 1986 run, and was gifted the mask by Michale, 84, after he left the show

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Antiques Roadshow guest in awe to learn eye-watering value of tiny trinket with ‘great history’

The guest was left gasping in shock, replying: ‘Wow!’ as Stephen concluded of the mask: ‘Truly beautiful.’

It comes after an Antiques Roadshow guest was amazed to learn the value of a tiny trinket with ‘great history attached to it’.

The BBC show paid a visit to Thirlestane Castle in the Scottish Borders to assess hidden treasures.

Antiques expert and journalist Marc Allum met a mother and son, who brought heirlooms connected to a Russian tsar.

These items included an imposing portrait, a small painting as well as a gold snuffbox. 

Marc was particularly taken by the snuffbox – with a handwritten note outlining the significance of its engraving and the fact it was gifted by a Russian tsar.

The guest revealed the box’s historical importance had always mattered more than potential financial value. 

Upon examining the item, Marc estimated the snuffbox to be worth between £20,000 to £30,000. 

Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer