| ERIC KNOWLES - ANTIQUARIAN | ||||||||
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The big news of the month centered on what some consider to be the long overdue marriage of Charles and Camilla. Some celebrated, others admitted indifference, and most were simply glad that they had just got on with it.
However, a certain sector of the Great British public recognised the last minute change of the date just might prove to be something of an "earner" - as far as the misdated memorabilia might be concerned. As might be expected the media were not slow to see a story and the result proved to be an endless stream of phone calls to yours truly from journalists and radio stations keen to explore the "investment potential" of mugs, pens, badges and teatowels. I'm told that one Internet auction site has already recorded the sale of a single mug, initially priced at £15, to an American buyer for the princely sum (no pun intended) of £55. I only hope he or she enjoys looking at their investment over the forthcoming years. Given the choice I think that I would settle for shares in Marks and Spencer!
My one man stage show Antique Antics has seen me treading the boards in North Wales and the Home Counties and a good time was had by all despite nobody showing me the stuff that world cruises are made of. In truth I am happy to admit that what purports to be a night out for the audience is actually therapy for yours truly. Regrettably the poster that announces my forthcoming engagement is in desperate need of updating - Wot No Bow Tie! Wot No Moustache! Fortunately no refunds have been requested.
The BBC have unleashed the 20th Century Roadshow at long last and talking to dealers, collectors and my mother it would seem to have been well received - despite one newspaper questioning why a treasure such as Alan Titchmarsh should wish to surround himself in other peoples "tat" - and before you ask it wasn't the Yorkshire Post!
This same month also saw the release of Discovery Channels Home and Leisure's latest contribution to the world of antique 'infotainment' in the guise of Restoration Man copresented by restorer Alan Herd and my good self. The 15 part series chronicles our attempts to purchase tired and unloved old brown furniture at auction where upon Dr Alan works his magic touch explaining step by step how to transform his patients into objects of desire. The next step entails re-entering each transformation into a different auction in an attempt to see if we can make a profit. Without giving too much of the plot away what I can tell you is that we find ourselves in a 15 part game of swings and roundabouts.
I seem to spend a significant amount of my year passing through Birmingham, so much so that at one time I considered writing my autobiography with the proposed title of 'Bury my Heart in Spaghetti Junction' only to realise in the nick of time that nobody in their right mind would ever want to read about my childhood exploits and who really cares that I won 3rd prize in the under 12 category for one fruit loaf in the Nelson and Colne Horticultural Show for 1963.
All this leads me to my visit to the Antiques For Everyone Fair at the NEC where I chanced upon two of my 'guvnors' in the guise of Jo Bates and Charlotte Barber, both resident on the shared Collect it! and Period House stand.
The fair itself never fails to live up to its intended image, my only problem is getting around it without striking up a conversation every other minute with all the dealers and friends that I invariably run into, including the couple who have the nerve to admit to being my parents.
On top of all this I have been doing the odd Tuesday morning slot on ITV's This Morning with Phil and Fern. The programme goes out between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm and my role is to present Win the Lot when I show three antiques or collectables with a value of up to £5,000 and the viewers have to ring in to tell me which of the three is the most expensive. The computer then picks three viewers who got it right all of whom have the opportunity to offer a precise valuation and whoever is the nearest to the actual value wins not only the most expensive but also the other two pieces quite literally winning the lot.
At the time of writing we are about to feature silverware which meant a trip to The Silver Vaults in London's Chancery Lane where I called in at the Koopman Rare Art Gallery. The stock in this place is probably the best in the country with prices starting in the low hundreds and climbing up to close on seven figures. The gallery is owned by the ever helpful Lewis Smith and co Director Timo Koopman both of who are passionate about the merchandise they handle and were keen to share their excitement about an exhibition they are holding from the 14th June - 1st July 2005. Titled Royal Goldsmiths; The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797 - 1830 it is a loan exhibition of magnificent silver and gold works and all in support of The Prince's Trust.
If like me you are big on ogling then try and catch the accompanying catalogue by Christopher Hartop RRP: £19.95 (Tel: 020 7242 7624). It is a must for anyone interested in this premier firm of craftsmen. All fabulous stuff, but even if your numbers come up on the lottery the problem still remains: does the glitter look right against your curtains?
Originally published in Collect it! June 2005