A FAMILY has told of how the found an incredible time capsule worth £6,000 hidden in their grandfather's old stuff.
And the personal post box - which was filled with unusual antiques - had a very famous owner.
The 140-year-old table letter box once belonged to Queen Victoria, and sat at Osborne House, her Isle of Wight holiday home.
The late 19th century curved wooden box features VR - Victoria Regina - the royal cypher of the Queen who reigned from 1837 until her death in 1901.
The family's grandfather loved antiques, and was thought to have had the post box in his possession since the 1940s.
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They are now choosing to sell the prized time capsule, which is expected to be snapped up for around £6,000.
The London-based seller, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "My grandfather collected amazing objects over the course of his life. He was fascinated by antiques and collectables.
"We think the post box may have been given as a festive gift as we found a Christmas card inside.
"It's hard to part with family heirlooms but this royal item deserves to be seen and enjoyed."
The antique will be auctioned off by Hansons London on January 28.
Chris Kirkham, the company's associate director, explained: "I discovered it during a routine home visit at a cottage in Surrey. I was called in to assess items gathered by a keen antiques collector over a lifetime.
"It was purchased decades ago by the seller's grandfather. He lived on the Isle of Wight.
"We understand he acquired it at a Carisbrooke sale which offered items relating to Osborne House in 1944 or 1945.
"The Isle of Wight is home to Carisbrooke Castle Museum. It was founded in 1898 by Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's youngest daughter.
"The Princess died in 1944 and a sale of items took place around that time."
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Charles Hanson, the owner of Hansons, added: "It's a first class find fit for a queen dating back to circa 1880.
"We can only imagine the tone and content of the notes the queen must have placed inside but one thing we can be certain of is that she enjoyed sending letters and cards.
"Most people still do but, sadly, postal strikes, high stamp prices and the cost-of-living crisis have curbed that simple pleasure.
"I wonder what Queen Victoria would have thought about postal costs rising from a penny in the 1800s to 95p for a first class stamp today.
"Her profile featured on the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp issued in 1840."
It comes after an antiques expert revealed Brits could have £2,000 hidden in their attic.
Experts believe the average UK home's storage hides valuables totalling a staggering £1,922, and around £33billion worth of “junk” lurks in our cupboards and drawers.
Another treasure hunter broke down how to spot items in your home that could be worth up to £1,000.
