UPDATE: Renowned television auctioneer and antiques expert Charles Hanson is set to visit Torridge this month for urgent walk-in valuation sessions, inviting locals to uncover hidden treasures. The sessions will take place at the Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington on Wednesday, January 21, from 11am to 1pm, followed by another at Hatherleigh Community Centre from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.
Community members are encouraged to bring their antiques, jewellery, and collectibles, with no appointment necessary. This is a unique opportunity to potentially discover valuable items that have been tucked away for years.
Hanson, known for his appearances on popular shows like Bargain Hunt and Flog It!, expressed his excitement about exploring Devon’s local treasures. “I love Devon and can’t wait to discover all the treasures it has to offer,” he stated. He is particularly interested in highly collectible silverware bearing the Exeter assay mark, which is now rare due to the office’s closure in 1883.
In addition to antiques, Hanson highlighted the soaring prices of gold, noting, “With the price of gold being the highest it has been since the 1970s, jewellery tucked away in trinket boxes is currently selling for huge amounts.” He reminisced about the many times he has surprised owners with the high value of what they believed to be worthless costume jewellery.
Hanson is also on the lookout for items with unique connections to Devon’s maritime history, such as scrimshaw or distinctive oak furniture from the 16th to 18th centuries. “Every house has one great valuable squirreled away,” he said, adding that he derives immense pleasure from uncovering these hidden gems.
In a recent similar event in Birmingham, a blue and white Chinese pot, affectionately dubbed “Aunt Beryl’s vase,” astonishingly sold for £800,000. This serves as a reminder of the potential hidden value in everyday items.
Don’t miss this chance to meet Charles Hanson and learn the true value of your possessions. Just turn up with your hidden treasures, and you might discover you are sitting on a goldmine.
With the excitement building, residents are urged to spread the word and prepare for an extraordinary day of valuations. This is an unmissable opportunity for anyone in the area—who knows what treasures lie waiting to be discovered?