A top hat and cigar once owned by Sir Winston Churchill have been discovered at a rubbish tip.
The items, along with a cigar case and letters revealing details of the former prime minister’s daily life, have been valued at £10,000.
David Rose, who says he made the discovery at the dump where he works, showcased the collection on BBC show Antiques Roadshow on Sunday.
He presented the famous hat, a cigar, a cigar case and more than 200 letters from Sir Winston’s cook to her son, in which she gave an insight into the wartime leader’s life.
The top hat once belonging to Sir Winston Churchill. Pic: Anna Gordon/BBC
The items were gifts from Sir Winston for the cook, and included a signed photo of the politician himself.
Mr Rose said: “She used to write to her son every day about the daily goings of Winston Churchill, what he was getting up to, how he was feeling and just interesting stuff about him.”
Antiques expert Mark Smith said the authenticity of the items would be in doubt were it not for the detailed letters.
Sir Winston Churchill, pictured in 1946
He valued the whole collection at £10,000, which Mr Rose described as “crazy”.
Mr Rose declined to give the location of the dump, but said he had three sheds full of items discovered there.
“I’ve worked there for like 15 years and I get to pull out whatever I like, mostly antiques,” he said.
