Antiques Roadshow expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan made a strong stand when he refused to value an item linked to the slave trade. In the episode, a woman brought him an ivory bangle engraved with the words “Prince Jemmy of Grandy,” connected to the 17th and 18th-century slave trade.
A clear stance against the ivory trade
Archer-Morgan addressed the woman, saying, “I want to make it absolutely clear that both I and The Antiques Roadshow disapprove of the ivory trade.” He noted the disturbing inscriptions on the bracelet, which included the phrase “honest fellow.” Reacting to this, he commented, “I’d like to meet him and tell him how honest I think he is.”
Refusing to place a value on painful history
Though Archer-Morgan acknowledged the item as “amazing,” he also described it as one of the hardest pieces he’d ever discussed. When it came time for the valuation, he chose not to price it, saying, “I just don’t want to value it. I don’t want to put a price on something that signifies such an awful business.”
Instead, he emphasised that the bangle’s value lay in the historical lessons it offers. He thanked the woman for sharing it, adding, “The value is in researching this and understanding the past. Thank you for bringing it in and for making me so sad.”
Audience praise for Archer-Morgan’s response
Viewers quickly praised Archer-Morgan’s thoughtful response. One wrote, “Every word out of his mouth was a historical lesson for me. Thank you.” Another commented, “Wow, this was amazing and such an eloquent description of the dark but important history of this item.” A third added, “Well done! People should no longer profit from slavery.”
