Opposers of inheritance tax take heed: without the levy, the country's cultural heritage would lack punch.

I mean, Punch.

And Judy.

The nation's most famous – and dare I say beloved? – wife-beating criminal and his long-suffering spouse are the subject of a collection that has been acquired by London's majestic Victoria & Albert Museum.

With any luck, visitors will soon be able to view the books, scripts, music score covers, drawings, lantern slides and photographs that were the property of historian George Speaight until he died in 2005, at which time the government accepted the treasures in lieu of IHT.

That's the way to do it!

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