Tutankhamun explorer suitcase found in Bishop Auckland sells at auction

According to reports, a suitcase believed to have belonged to an explorer who discovered Tutankhamun's tomb was sold at auction for £12,000. The suitcase had previously been found hidden under a bed, attracting widespread attention and sparking considerable interest among collectors.

Antiques expert David Harper stated that the suitcase bears the distinctive monogram design of Egyptologist Howard Carter and was given to his colleague, John Healy, before his death. Following Mr. Healy's death in the early 1970s, the suitcase had been stored under his son's bed in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, remaining largely untouched for decades.

Mr. Harper said that he had previously estimated the suitcase's selling price to be between £1,000 and £1,500, so the final selling price made him feel that "this was a very special day." Carter and his team are famous for discovering the treasures of King Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt during excavations in 1922, a discovery that captivated the world.

David Elstob of Elstob Auctioneers, who was responsible for the auction, said he was "shocked" to discover the suitcase. He added: "We sell many unique items, but this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was really amazed." Mr. Elstob also added that it was difficult to put a value on the suitcase and believed that anything below £5,000 would have been too cheap, highlighting its historical significance.

Ultimately, the suitcase sold for £12,000, excluding the 30% buyer's premium. Mr. Harper told BBC Radio Tees: "It's been a very special day. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to call my client. He probably needed five minutes to recover from the shock." Mr. Harper added that he had received contact from people all over the world, including museums, so he "knew something exciting was going to happen." While the antiques expert does not know who the buyer is, he hopes they will contact him to learn more about the suitcase's future.