A remarkable discovery emerged on the latest edition of Antiques Roadshow when books and manuscripts specialist Matthew Haley encountered an artefact he had “never seen before” in his career.
The expert expressed genuine delight whilst examining an exceptionally rare newspaper bearing Winston Churchill’s signature.
The extraordinary find surfaced during filming at Bradford’s Lister Park and Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, where the BBC programme recorded episodes celebrating the city’s status as UK City of Culture 2025.
The item in question proved to be a government-published newspaper from May 1926, created during the General Strike.
BBC Antiques Roadshow: Matthew Haley was stunned by the Winston Churchill find
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BBC
What elevated the historical document beyond ordinary significance was the presence of Churchill’s autograph alongside that of Stanley Baldwin, who served as Prime Minister at the time.
The newspaper’s owner revealed that his father had rescued the document during an office clearout in the 1970s.
“It was something that was going to be thrown away and he sort of rescued it and brought it home,” the guest explained to Haley.
The British Gazette represented the government’s response to the information crisis when newspaper workers joined the widespread industrial action.
BBC Antiques Roadshow: The newspaper was from 1926
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BBC
Mr Haley described the historical context: “Picture the scene. It’s 1926. We’re in the middle of the general strike.
“The coal miners have gone on strike, other people have gone on strike to express sympathy for them and even newspaper printers have gone on strike.
“So what does the government do? It prints its own newspaper. How better to deal with an information vacuum?”
Churchill held the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer when he edited The British Gazette, which served as a propaganda tool for the administration.
Mr Haley characterised its tone as having a “keep calm and carry on” quality, noting how it portrayed the strike’s first day as “not so complete as hoped by its promoters.”
The publication ran for merely eight editions before declaring the industrial action concluded.
Beyond the historical figure’s signature, the document also featured the autograph of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, significantly enhancing its historical value.
Mr Haley’s assessment placed the newspaper’s auction value between £2,000 and £4,000, prompting an astonished response from the owner.
“Really? Wow. Well, it’s nice to know,” the guest responded to the valuation.
BBC Antiques Roadshow: The 1926 newspaper featured signatures from Winston Churchill and Stanley Baldwin
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BBC
The expert emphasised the document’s appeal to Churchill enthusiasts, describing it as “a fascinating moment in his career.”
He added: “It’s an amazing thing. I’ve never seen one before and I’m delighted to.”
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