Antiques Roadshow expert Stephen Lane left Fiona Bruce and the crowd speechless with the valuation of the iconic Joker suit
Antiques Roadshow host Fiona Bruce was taken aback at the estimated value of the original Joker suit donned by Jack Nicholson in the 1989 Batman movie directed by Tim Burton.
On the BBC One programme, memorabilia enthusiast Stephen Lane presented a trio of Batman-related items as the Antiques Roadshow made its visit to Wollaton Hall in Nottingham.
The grand Elizabethan mansion was a perfect setting for the appraisal, having featured as Wayne Manor in a number of Batman films. Lane brought out a distinctive Batman head cowl, accompanied by a belt worn by the caped crusader and the vibrant Joker suit.
Fiona engaged in a ‘Basic, Better and Best’ challenge with the items in an attempt to find out which held the highest value, with estimates ranging from £4,000 to £150,000.
Nevertheless, Fiona’s initial prediction was off-track as the Joker suit emerged as the priciest item, with its worth suggested to be between £100,000 and £150,000.
He clarified that the cowl was the least precious because it wasn’t actually used during filming for the Batman movie. The belt came next in value, which although significant to collectors, was described as “very, very niche”.
He added: “The suit wins through. It presents so well. It’s so colourful and the attribution to Jack Nicholson as well – he’s just a superstar.”
Fiona called it a “fantastic” discovery as the audience was left impressed after learning they were viewing the actual suit Nicholson sported in the hit film.
Fiona added: “There was a little intake of breath here. We all remember that, don’t we? He was amazing in that part.”
Explaining the significance of the colour choice, Lane responded: “Just perfect casting for the role. No doubt about it. These were made by a famous suit maker from the 60s. The colour purple is actually a particular shade of purple because it’s the colour of the LA Lakers, which was Jack Nicholson’s favourite basketball team.
“The costume was always destined to be purple – echoing what we saw in the original 60s series and the comic – but this specific shade was chosen for that reason.”
“This costume was worn by Jack Nicholson, so it has got some screen time to it.”
In another segment of the show, Antiques Roadshow expert Hilary Kay was taken aback by a unique discovery at Wollaton Hall: a collection of Elizabethan textiles, including a bedspread and two pillowcases crafted by Elizabeth I and her ladies-in-waiting, headlined by an ‘extremely rare’ ivory silk satin sleeve and sleeve support.
These items, which belonged to the family who erected Wollaton Hall in 1588, represented a significant find as no other sleeve supports were known to exist prior to this.
Hilary described the farthingale sleeve support as ‘exceptional’, noting its remarkable preservation alongside the satin sleeve it was designed to accompany.
