LONDON.- For the first time ever over 20 of Bonhams art and antiques specialists will be available at Bonhams, Knightsbridge to offer free valuations on Tuesday 3rd May 2011. Bonhams has over 57 specialist departments and Knightsbridge is the only saleroom which handles the whole range of fine and decorative arts and collectors’ items.

In addition to valuing silver, jewellery, works of art and paintings there will also be experts in the specialist fields of entertainment memorabilia, coins and medals, sporting guns, musical instruments, jewellery, clocks and vintage costumes.

The enduring appeal of TV programmes on antiques has alerted many people to the potential value of objects in their home, and offering free valuations at this special event there will be specialists who regularly appear on TV, including Eric Knowles and Jon Baddeley.

Bonhams Knightsbridge is the busiest auction house in Britain, holding 122 sales a year, and in the past seemingly inconspicuous items have gone on to fetch remarkable prices. Memorable items from past sales include the dress worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz which fetched an astounding £140,000 (over four times its pre-sale estimate), a 16th century helmet which made £14,400 and a Fred Yates painting which sold for £13,800 having been estimated at £3,000-5,000.

Jon Baddeley, Managing Director of Bonhams Knightsbridge says: "We are opening our doors for a first `Open House’ event to share our specialist expertise with the general public. If the day proves as successful as we hope, we might see queues as long as those on the Antiques Roadshow, so my advice would be to come early."

Timings: 9.30am-4pm
Location: Montpelier Street, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1HH