Nashville Antiques Roadshow guest is amazed at the value of her rare copy of William Shakespeare’s sonnets

By Noa Halff for Dailymail.Com

17:22 July 14, 2024, updated 17:44 July 14, 2024

A Nashville woman was amazed at the value of her rare copy of William Shakespeare’s Sonnets on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow.

The guests, who had inherited the book from their father, initially thought it might be worth a modest $300 to $400. But expert Martin Gammon had a stunning revelation in store.

The estimated value of the rare copy of William Shakespeare’s sonnets was a whopping $5,000 to $7,000, and the recommended insurance value is $10,000.

The book in question was an 1899 edition of The Sonnets of Shakespeare published by Roycroft Press – but it is not just any old copy.

This treasure is one of only 12 copies printed on parchment made from cow or pig skin, making it an extremely rare collector’s item.

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“This is probably the most beautiful highlight of the Roycroft Press,” said Gammon, leaving the owner visibly shocked.

“It is a very important American printing house, inspired by the Kelmscott Press in England to produce a series of limited editions of literature and other categories. The publisher is Elbert Hubbard.”

It survived the Great Depression, when the guest’s grandfather, an antiquarian, was forced to sell much of his collection.

“My father was born in Brooklyn and owned a used bookstore…he collected rare books, but unfortunately we only have a few of them left because my father’s father had to sell a lot of them during the Depression,” the guest said.

“Oh my God. But that’s one of the survivors who made it,” Gammon replied.

This literary treasure is characterized by rare craftsmanship, including intricate processing of Moroccan leather and the prestigious Roycroft bookbinding stamp, the appraiser explained.

“It’s really exciting,” Gammon said.

The guest replied, “My father would be so happy.” … “I’m so glad they kept it and didn’t throw it down the stairs after the Depression.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t the one they had to sell,” she added.