‘I’m an Antiques Roadshow expert – this is the most expensive thing I’ve ever appraised’

US Antiques Roadshow expert Gary Sohmers has revealed what the most expensive item he has ever appraised – and the answer left fans gobsmacked. The BBC antiques weekend show is loved up and down the country and quickly became a mainstay following its debut in 1979. The show has since spawned several versions of the programme across the globe, including America and Australia.

Now, the pop culture expert has given fans an insight into his what it is like to work on the show on PBS across the pond. He has also lifted the lid on some of the impressive items he has appraised across 13 seasons on the programme.

Taking to Reddit, the 72-year-old presenter – who is known for his signature ponytail and Hawaiian shirts, invited fans ask their burning questions about the long-running show.

On the online forum, one user asked: “What is the most valuable item you have ever appraised?” Sohmers revealed: “On TV I appraised a collection of Charles Schulz art (Peanuts) for $450,000 [£339,200], but privately I have appraised collections in the millions.”

The expert first laid eyes on the staggering collection back in 2009 when the show paid a visit to Phoenix, Arizona. The proud guest revealed that she first began her collection of Peanuts comic strips back in the 1990s because of her son’s love for the cartoon.

Her collection included a daily and Sunday comic strips dating back to 1952, and even included Schultz’ coverage of Halley’s Comet. She paid between $400 and $500 [£300 and £375] for them.

Speaking about her collection, Gary admitted at the time: “These are one-of-a-kind. What Charles Schulz would do is make a daily [comic strip], and then they’d make copies to send of to the syndicators, the newspapers that would be running them.

“And then, he would have the originals and give them away. And he gave most of them away.” After a deep dive into her collection, the star valued them at $450,000 [£39,200]."

It is understood that the proud owner decided not to sell her impressive collection, instead growing it further with her son in her free time.

Antiques Roadshow airs on Sundays from 7pm on BBC One or catch up on BBC iPlayer.