There was a time when the world was a better place: a more genteel, elegant place, full of lace tablecloths, ironing boards and fish knives. In some places it still is. Skegness, for example, where we found this charming cup and saucer.

Now, it might look like a piece of tat purchased by a gullible, lonely old woman from The Radio Times, but don’t be fooled. This is actually part of a full set from the Regency period, somehow separated from its companions. Note the extra space on the saucer: it would be easy to assume this was used to hold foodstuffs such as petit fours and cucumber sandwiches. However, historians now believe this area was used for the preparation and temporary storage of hardcore drugs such as heroin, cocaine and ketamine during elegant tea parties held by members of the gentry.

Estimated value: £135,000 as part of a full set.