WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow. An Antiques Roadshow expert confessed that he didn’t “have a clue” when it came to putting a price on an unusual object. The BBC series ventured to Aston Hall, Birmingham where expert Paul Atterbury met with a guest who had a love for all things to do with space which tied in with the item he brought in.
“Simple question, where were you in July 1969?” Atterbury first questioned. The guest replied: “I was in school, following the space programme along with lots of other children I’d imagine. But unlike most of the children from my generation, they grew out of space and I didn’t.
” Atterbury stated: “So that moment, that we all remember who are old enough, it changed your life”, with the guest stating that he had been “hooked ever since”. Referring to the item in front of them, the expert continued: “And this is the Fallen Astronaut and here’s in effect, the only work of art on the moon. How did you get it?” “Well I spotted it online, bid on it and thankfully nobody else did because they didn’t believe it was genuine," the guest commented with Atterbury replying: “So everybody thought it was a fake.
” The Antiques Roadshow expert went on to elaborate that the piece was created by Belgium sculptor Paul Van Hoeydonck after NASA in the 1970s wanted a memorial on the moon for the 14 astronauts and cosmonauts who died in the pursuit of space. The guest explained there were four editions of the piece, one on the moon, another with Van Hoeydonck, a third in a gallery and his piece. To verify it was original, the guest even visited Hoeydonck at his home who confirmed its authenticity and signed the box in which it came in.
But despite its rarity, Atterbury simply couldn’t put a value on the unusual item. “Space memorabilia is a booming market as you know”, he began. “Until there is some sort of market establishment, in a way, the only way you can establish a value of that is to sell it on the open market and then you’ll know what the world will pay for it.
The value is potentially huge but absolutely unprovable until that moment. “So you’ve either got to take that risk, because there isn’t going to be another one. This is the only one that can be sold.
And you’ll think I’m being evasive and cagey which I am, because I don’t know the value and whether we’re talking $1,000 or $50,000, I haven’t a clue and I’d rather be honest. “But potentially, it is a hugely valuable object with the work you’ve put into it.” The guest replied: “In the meantime, I’ll stick it back in the bank vault.
” Atterbury added: “It’s as close as I’ll ever get to the moon, I’ll tell you that for nothing.” Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer..
