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Image courtesy: BBC via The Sun
As any Antiques Roadshow fan can attest, viewers tune in to see the treasures of other vintage collectors and for the suspense and surprise of discovering that a painting or piece of décor is far more valuable than the owner might have realized. For example, this fan had such an experience recently on the US version of the show when experts at the North Carolina Museum of Art valued a painting she got for free on Facebook Marketplace at approximately $6,000.
However, an episode of the show’s UK version aired that was a departure from the regular format. And viewers were not happy. The episode aired in February 2023 but was re-broadcast on Sunday, May 6, 2024. Host Fiona Bruce announced at the top of the show that the subject would be the history of nursing in the National Health Service, and they filmed on location at two historically relevant hospitals in London.
She stated during the show’s introduction, “Given the emotional and often moving testimony you’ll hear tonight, our experts won’t be providing any valuations. But the most humble items will reveal powerful stories.”
Some more fervent show fans took to social media, expressing their disappointment in the decision. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) decried the episode’s lack of vintage valuations, even for a noble topic like nursing, including one who said, “No valuations…oh come on, that’s not fair, nursing or not #antiquesroadshow.”
While the valuations are why many watch the show each week, there were also positive comments for the show since it highlighted the contribution of thousands of nurses across the UK. The show featured a segment on the Florence Nightingale Museum, which houses many historical items from Nurse Nightingale’s career.
The most moving story was about British World War I nurse Edith Cavell, who treated soldiers regardless of nationality in 1915 when she served in German-occupied Brussels.
She openly admitted she helped smuggle injured soldiers to Holland so they could return to England. The German military authorities executed her at dawn on October 12, 1915. A relative of Cavell shared a photograph and a letter from her, and host Fiona Bruce was visibly moved at hearing about the sacrifice Nurse Cavell made.
Collectors are fond of their treasures and eagerly anticipate their valuation on the show. However, discussing the wartime nurses and the British nurses’ history is a serious topic that the producers wanted to highlight. But viewers, don’t worry, the show will continue to feature valuations in most episodes, so collectors should stay tuned.
Brenda Kelley Kim lives in the Boston area. She is the author of Sink or Swim: Tales From the Deep End of Everywhere and writes a weekly syndicated column for The Marblehead Weekly News/Essex Media Group. When not writing or walking her snorty pug, Penny, she enjoys yard sales, flea markets, and badminton.
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