Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest says ‘it becomes a horrible problem’ after her painting gets appraised (marketrealist.com)
A “horrible problem” is what one lucky “Antiques Roadshow” guest called it after appraiser Hugh Scully gave a jaw-dropping valuation of her L.S. Lowry paintings. Scully, visibly delighted by the unexpected appearance of the artwork, estimated the collection could fetch over £100,000 (approximately $136,014) at auction.
The guest, who acquired the paintings from an elderly friend, watched in stunned silence as Scully meticulously examined the pieces. He admired their vibrant colors and dynamic street scenes, noting the distinctive style and impasto as hallmarks of Lowry’s work. While authentication by the Lowry Museum was deemed necessary, Scully expressed confidence in their authenticity.
Adding to the collection’s intrigue was a sketch on a cigarette packet. The guest recounted the story of how Lowry, a passenger in the same car as the packet’s original owner, sketched the image and nearly discarded it before signing it for her. Scully emphasized how this charming anecdote further enhanced the collection’s value, particularly as the sketch appears to be the study for one of the paintings.
When pressed for her own estimate, the guest admitted she had no idea of the collection’s worth. Scully then delivered the stunning six-figure appraisal, leaving the guest speechless, describing her good fortune as a “horrible problem”. While a more conservative estimate placed the value between £60,000 and £80,000, Scully believed the collection could easily surpass £100,000 at auction.