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A haul of valuable treasure has been uncovered in an unassuming three-bed semi - sparking a global bidding frenzy and a £400,000 payout to a mystery daughter.
The seemingly ordinary property in South Eastern Road, Ramsgate, was the home of Alexander Thomson, a former BBC World Service East Africa and Far East editor, who died in September aged 71.
Unmarried and with no known next of kin or a will, his case was taken on by Finders International, which specialises in tracing heirs to estates.
In an unexpected discovery when looking through Mr Thomson's home, various rare and valuable pieces of art were uncovered as well as the deeds to a 60ft boat - the largest lifeboat in the world at the time of her launch in 1923.
Danny Curran, managing director of Finders International, says many of the items had an Asian influence and so they enlisted the help of Asian art expert Richard Harrison, of Dawsons Auctioneers and Valuers.
During a visit to the house, he spotted a vase, covered in dust and hidden from view, among the treasures strewn around the property.
A rare 19th century Straits China wedding footstool was also found under clothing and blankets, which is a significant item to potential collectors around the world.
When these were entered into Dawsons auction in March this year a global bidding frenzy erupted.
The 29cm vase sold for an astonishing £20,000, while the small footstool measuring just 33cm x 28cm fetched £2,200.
But with no record of Mr Thomson being married or having children, the hunt for relatives to inherit the estate was on.
Mr Curran said: "Only one of Alexander’s two sisters had children and at first glance the sizeable estate was destined to be inherited by his only niece and nephew.
"However, deeper and more forensic research by our team eventually revealed a young daughter in Asia."
It was established that Mr Thomson, who was born in Singapore, had had a religious marriage ceremony of sorts in Indonesia and, while this was not a legal marriage, that union had resulted in a daughter born in 2006.
His substantial estate, currently valued in excess of £400,000, including the property in Ramsgate, the historic boat moored in the harbour and the proceeds from the auction of the rare Chinese artefacts, is set to be inherited by his daughter in South East Asia.
"As a leading heir hunter one part of our job is to find relatives entitled to inherit an estate when the deceased has died intestate, with no will and with no known next of kin," said Mr Curran.
"We are thrilled that we traced Alexander’s daughter, who will rightly inherit his estate.
"We are sure that this is what Alexander would have wanted."
For more on Finders International see www.findersinternational.co.uk.
