Tutankhamun explorer suitcase found under bed

The suitcase was owned by Howard Carter, antiques expert David Harper said

A suitcase believed to have been owned by the explorer who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun has been found under a bed.

Antiques expert David Harper said the suitcase, bearing a unique design of Egyptologist Howard Carter's initials, was gifted to his colleague John Healey before he died.

When Mr Healey died in the early 1970s, the suitcase was kept under his son's bed in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Mr Harper said the item was "mind-boggling," adding: "These cases carried important documents including artefacts from Tutankhamun's tomb."

Carter and his team are credited with discovering the treasures of King Tut's tomb during a 1922 dig inside the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.

Mr Harper, from Barnard Castle, told BBC Radio Tees he was approached by the suitcase's owner - Mr Healey's son - because he wanted to sell it.

Mr Healey and Carter were "firm mates" as they worked together in Egypt in the 1930s, Mr Harper said.

The design of the initials monogrammed on the suitcase had been used by Howard Carter, Mr Harper said

Mr Harper said he was sure of the case's authenticity because of the unique design of the monogrammed initials 'HC' on it.

"Next to the H is a back-to-front C, so no matter what way the case comes off a boat, you can read 'HC'," he said.

"We know that Howard Carter ordered this suitcase probably in the 1920s and it's been living under a bed since 1970 to 2025."

The case goes up for auction on 27 February, with an estimate of £1,000 to £1,500.

Mr Harper did admit he was slightly worried about the curse associated with Tutankhamun's tomb, saying he "drove steadily" to the auction house while the case was in his car boot.

"He's [the owner] been sleeping on top of it for 50 years and he looks all right," Mr Harper added.