Antiques Roadshow fans baffled as plaque with 'crap lyrics' gets jaw-dropping valuation

dailystar.co.uk:

Antiques Roadshow viewers were gobsmacked when an expert gave an £80,000 valuation to a terracotta plaque with "crap old lyrics" about a drunk man.The guest performed the song and said she believed that the lyrics were written by Henry Purcell."This came from my grandfather and he had it before his mother before him and she was the daughter of a landlord of a pub in Bristol — The Trout in Stokes Croft," she said."When he moved on, he presumably took this with him because he had bought it with the pub I guess."Expert Marc Allum was astonished to know that this rare late 18th century plaque came from a pub and said it could be of "national importance".He said:: "The ceramic plaque here is actually a terracotta plaque."It has the title 'Topeing Jack', which is what you've just sung, with all the musical notation and lyrics."Now topeing is drinking, so Topeing Jack is all about a cuckolded chap who's been drinking a lot — typical theme of a Purcell catch like this."The fact that this is in a pub in Bristol, leads me to think that as an English Delft plaque, it could well be a Bristol plaque."Marc quickly connected the item to the name of a famous plaque maker, Joseph Flower."One thing I will say to you is that I think this item is of national importance — it's unique," he told the guest, adding that the plaque would be highly sought after by English Delft collectors and museums."I genuinely think if this comes up at auction tomorrow, it would make £40,000 to £60,000.

Valuing things like this and of this importance and rarity, who knows?"I even feel that it could make £80,000."The guest looked at her sibling and giggled as one of them said: "He said £50." "Oh my God!" the guest gasped while her brother added: "Goodness me!".