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Meet Bargain Hunt expert Kate at free valuation day
22/09/2020
TV regular will offer advice and help identify potential items for an auction windfall
Popular TV auction expert Kate Bliss will be in Banbury on Wednesday. The Bargain Hunt regular will be giving advice at a free jewellery valuation at Holloways in Parsons Street.
Kate has appeared on the popular BBC1 daytime programme for over 20 years and she is hoping she can help people discover if their jewellery, silver or watches could deliver an auction windfall.
After completing her training, Kate was working in a junior role in a Hereford sale room when she was spotted by a TV production crew who were keen to add a female auctioneer to their cast. After initially featuring as an auctioneer Kate quickly moved to her now regular role as one of the show’s experts.
Kate said, “I can’t wait to meet the people of Banbury. I can value all manner of antique and vintage jewellery as well as silver. It’s a good time to sell. Gold prices have surged by 30% this year. In uncertain economic times investors put their money into tangible assets like gold, silver and other precious metals.
“Consequently, auction results for gold have been particularly strong in recent months. For example, gold sovereigns have been selling for more than £300 at auction compared to around £100 a year ago. Even broken gold sells well”.
Outside of her TV work, Kate is a consultant jewellery valuer for Hansons Auctioneers, which recently acquired Holloway’s. Items found by Kate recently at free valuation events include a late 19th century German, gilt-metal singing bird box which could fetch more than £1,000 at auction and an Art Deco gold cigarette case, guide price £1,600-£1,800.
She said, “I had one lady who came in and said ‘I’m on my way to a charity shop Kate but could you just check this over. I’m really sorry, I don’t want to waste your time’. And there at the bottom of the box, which was all costume jewellery, was a broach, set with diamonds, worth £3,000”.
Wednesday’s valuation at Holloways in Parsons Street will run with Kate between 10am and 3pm. This will be her first in a planned series of visits to Banbury, with future visits arranged for October 21st and November 25th.
You can listen again to our interview with Kate here:
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam