Ask Bargain Hunt transcript
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| This event took place Tuesday 2nd April, 2002 |
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Bargain Hunt
Kate Alcock and Philip Serrell, joined us for a Live Chat and answered your questions about how to shop for antiques, the show and lots more ...
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Question from Firaas: Why do people have such an interest in antiques?
Kate Alcock: I think it's the money. I think people think they can make a quick buck half the time. Secondly some people just love old things because of the history attached to them. They think they've got a piece of the past.
Question from Hurri: What makes something an antique, how old does it have to be?
Kate Alcock: Strictly it used to be 100 years but in today's world, antiques are being made every day really and peoples perceptions of antiques change. Also, auction houses have changed the concept as they've also put decorative arts in their sales, which gives things that aren't that old an antique flavour. I would still suggest that it would have to be a century old but I would have to say that my grandfather would be looked on as one and he's 85!
Question from Karen Clark: I bought a keresene teapot on a stand. It looks like it is made of brass and is very heavy, but I wondered what it would be used for?
Kate Alcock: If it looks like brass but it's very heavy, it could be gun metal. I would suggest it was for oil but without seeing it it's difficult to say.
Question from Firaas: Do you think that the antique "culture" will die out in the near future?
Kate Alcock: No I don't. I think it's going to get more popular. As things get rarer I think antiques will get more expensive.
Question from Lisa Fieldsend: What made you get into antiques?
Kate Alcock: My father was an auctioneer so from an early age I went and helped out at his auctions and then I shopped for antiques for my parents instead of fancy smellies and things. I suppose it's in the blood. Although having said that, I always prefer to buy something old rather than new. I look on them as an investment as well. It's definitely in the blood, it's a disease.
Question from Christopher: I collect trading cards. How collectable will they be in years to come - I have around 3,500?
Kate Alcock: Wow that's a big collection. Depends where you've got them from. Trading cards which have stories attached to them, they're always going to be saleable. Hold on to the collection!
Question from Davy Buntinx: I would like to ask Kate what a Hummel figurine is worth?
Kate Alcock: They are very popular at the moment. It depends on the model, they vary from £50 to hundreds of pounds. Condition is important too. It's difficult to give a specific value without knowing the model, but it could be anything from £50 to £200. Collectors have increased for them and the more collectors there are, the bigger the demand is.
Question from Andy Richards: What's the best thing for you, being in Bargain Hunt?
Kate Alcock: Hi Andy. It has to be the people I think. I've met some great people and been to some great sale rooms. I love the performance aspect of it and I love the buzz, particularly from the live TV. The best thing has to be the people and the contact with new faces. We've had lots of fun.
Question from Shaun Rye: Do you think that sometimes having the TV crew in the auction room affects the bidding?
Kate Alcock: Hello Shaun. I think it does. You can't ignore it, particularly in a small sale room. Having said that, the very presence of the BBC brings in buyers and spectators. Anybody who has come in to buy at an auction are used to it because that's the way auctions operate.
Question from Gilly Fraser: I recently found a Rockwood vase. It is a floral standard glaze and very typical early Rockwood. Who can help identify the actual piece?
Kate Alcock: Best to take it to a specialist department in an auction house, depending on where you live. Take it to a ceramic specialist. In the auction houses, there is also a search where you can look up specific things and see what recent Rockwood vases have made under the hammer, which is a great help in identifying and valuing your own piece. I'm sure they can help you.
Question from Hurri Antiques: These days seem to be associated with the elderly (for obvious reasons!) and the kids of this generation don't seem to want any antiques. Is it possible that antique collections may just eventually die off?
Kate Alcock: No, not at all. Young people are actually more interested, in my experience, in quite stylish pieces of the early 20th century and they're the antiques of the future. Although 18th century pieces aren't as popular at the moment, they are the classic antiques that will get rarer. They're picking out pieces that will be the antiques of the future and as time goes on, more and more are created.
Question from Phil: What qualifications do you need to become an auctioneer?
Kate Alcock: Hi Phil. Well, strictly you don't need any, and it has been said that anybody can get up and bang a hammer. I would suggest that you have an interest or a little bit of knowledge of what you're selling. If you know your buyers, you know where to look in the room for them. It's something that you can only learn by doing it, it's a bit of a seat of the pants thing! As an auctioneer and valuer, you would belong to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and those are the qualifications you would need if you wanted to belong to the professional body.
Question from Kerry Young: What can we expect, from our 21st Century homes, to be very collectable in the years to come?
Kate Alcock: That's a tricky one because I have lots of old stuff in my home. Anything with a bit of style. We have so many materials now that can be made into all sorts of fantastic designs. Who knows, in short. I would always go for something that's quality and has something about it, a little bit of style.
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