WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow. An Antiques Roadshow audience collectively gasped in amazement at the real value of a “tiny” but significant note. Expert Matthew Haley was on hand to meet with guests at the Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, where he came across a woman and a small framed letter, which he was thrilled to see.
Reading it out, Haley said: “‘Tomorrow, 7.45, no dress. OW.
’”, before turning to the visitor to ask: “What’s the story here?” She explained: “Well, this is a little note that was written by Oscar Wilde, inviting one of his chum’s round for supper. “He lives in Tite Street, which is where I used to live, so this was given to me by my husband.” Haley remarked: “Absolutely lovely.
I mean, Oscar Wilde is one of the greatest playwrights, as well as a poet and an author and a great letter writer and he lived in Tite Street in Chelsea in London between 18885 and 1895.” The guest commented that she thought he had a “great life while he lived it”, thanking him for the “witty things he said” which he used throughout his work. Haley shared a few, including “nothing succeeds like excess” and a reference to a “handbag” scene in The Importance of Being Earnest.
The expert continued: “He wrote The Picture Of Dorian Gray, A Woman Of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, these are super important works and Oscar Wilde’s letters are really quite valuable. “So even though it’s a tiny note, I would .
