Antiques Roadshow expert praises 'amazing' Olympic cycling collection

Expert Marc Allum remarked that there was a 'very interesting story' surrounding the Olympics memorabilia.

Charlotte Colombo
·Contributor
Updated ·3-min read
Marc Allum was thrilled with the Olympic heirlooms brought to him. (BBC screen grab)
Marc Allum was thrilled with the Olympic heirlooms brought to him. (BBC screen grab)

Antiques Roadshow expert Marc Allum was left "astonished" by an "amazing" Olympic cycling collection.

As appraiser Marc Allum put it, “When you see those five intertwining rings, you know that there’s going to be a really interesting story behind it.” And that’s exactly what happened in the latest episode of Antiques Roadshow, which saw the Roadshow return to Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery.

A woman arrived with a range of memorabilia belonging to her father, Charles Holland: a decorated cyclist who competed in both the Olympics and Tour De France.

“He was very modest about his success as a cyclist,” she explained. “We just had a load of cups in the house, and we didn't see any of this for many years, until we found a big suitcase after cleaning the house out after he died, and we found all this stuff that he kept for years and years and years.”

The collection was owned by Charles Holland (pictured).
The collection was owned by Charles Holland (pictured). (BBC screen grab)

This “stuff,” in turn, consisted of a wide range of memorabilia, including 40-50 medals, numerous photographs, and a British and Olympic shirt.

“I look at this [collection], and I'm quite astonished, really, to be honest with you,” Allum said of the extensive collection. “So what I've done is selected a few highlights from his career, in essence.”

Carl Holland competed in both the 1932 and 1936 Olympics. (BBC screen grab)
Carl Holland competed in both the 1932 and 1936 Olympics. (BBC screen grab)

Describing the collection as “absolutely amazing,” Allum highlighted display items like a bronze medal from the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics pursuit cycling event, competitor medallions from both the 1932 and 1936 Olympics, and a photograph from the 1936 Olympics, where Holland served as team captain.

Read More: Antiques Roadshow

Allum also gave further insight into Holland’s illustrious career, explaining how he started off as a road racer before later becoming a track/pursuit racer. However, his daughter added that Holland’s career was “interrupted” by the war, with the medal collection also demonstrating how he was a decorated soldier.

Carl Holland's collection included 40-50 medals. (BBC screen grab)
Carl Holland's collection included 40-50 medals. (BBC screen grab)

Ultimately, the collection was valued at £15,000-20,000. "I don't think I have any hesitation in putting that value on it,” Allum said. “It's amazing.”

There was a diverse crop of items in the latest addition to Antiques Roadshow, including a Rod Stewart Gold Disc valued between £1,500 and £2,500, two signed Harry Potter books brought in by different owners, and a note written by Oscar Wilde.

The box was accompanied with a note from the palace of Alexander I. (BBC screen grab)
The box was accompanied with a note from the palace of Alexander I. (BBC screen grab)

However, it was another one of the most valuable antiques of the evening that attracted the most attention: a heirloom left by Russian Tsar Alexander Fraser.

While there was a vast array of items included in the collection, including a full-sized portrait, a miniature portrait, and a snuffbox, which was gifted to Fraser by Alexander I of Russia.

The gold and red box, which included an inscription and annotation, was valued at £20,000-£30,000.

Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One at 8pm on Sundays.

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