Lottery of the antique trade

“Antiques Roadshow” — can’t get enough, can you?

In they go, with the ancient stuffed teddy bear or the painting that’s been at the back of the garage for 20 years or the old bedside table which Great Auntby Spindle gave their mother during the First World War, a quick chat to a man in a bow tie and half an hour later they’re millionaires.

It’s a bit like watching people winning the lottery really isn’t it? Or not. Depending on what they are told.

If they were expecting a huge number and don’t get it, then the disappointment on their faces is almost as great as if they had been handed the keys to Buckingham Palace and told the queen is moving out on account of how rich they are.

I’d love the BBC to do a follow up show called “Flogging the stuff they valued on AR and seeing if they really did get that much for it”.

The title may need a little refining but you get the idea.

“Antiques Roadshow” is one man’s opinion of how much something is worth, but I have watched enough daytime TV, first as an out of work actor and then as a breastfeeding mother, to tell you that you may think you have a treasure on your hands but it all depends on the very day you take your treasure to auction. It’s a lottery.

Maybe we could invent another show called “Absolutely no way, I couldn’t sell this for all the tea in China, it means too much to me and the family”.

Let’s follow that group of people and see how easy it was, once the recession hit, to hold on to their “beloved” family item.

Maybe we could give points to the one who held out on selling the item in question the longest.

I tell you I’d be the first out the door with my antique whatever it might be and straight to the auctioneers. I’m just not the sentimental type.

As far as I’m concerned, if it’s not what you like to look at or serve your tea out of or cuddle up to when you snuggle up in bed at night then put it up for sale.

A quick chat with a man wearing a bow tie may be all it takes.