There’s something magical about holding an object that has witnessed centuries of human history.
This morning on our show, we had the privilege of sitting down with one of the UK’s most beloved
auctioneers, Charles Hanson, to discuss not just antiques, but the stories,
memories, and unexpected treasures that make his world so fascinating.
From Shy Boy to TV Star
Charles’s journey into the world of antiques began in the most unexpected way. As he shared with us,
“I was very shy at school, Dave. I had no friends.” It’s hard to imagine the charismatic
television personality we see on Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip ever being
unpopular, but Charles admitted he was a “slow starter.”
What changed everything? A metal detector and a field behind his parents’ house.
At just 12 years old, Charles uncovered a Charles I silver shilling dated 1630.
“I said, ‘Hello, long time no see. How are you, mate?'” he recalled with a smile.
“Who lost you? Where are you going? Talk to me.” That moment sparked a lifelong passion
for connecting with the past through physical objects.
The Power of a Single Object
Charles’s stories about remarkable finds are the stuff of legend. Take the
Fabergé flowers discovered on a video cabinet – they were
valued at an incredible £500,000. Or the Chinese vase that had been
used as a doorstop for 36 years, which started with an estimate of £25,000 and ended up selling
for an astonishing £650,000 in December 2020.
Always go back to that. What dealers don’t know, and what you might just get lucky with.
Charles Hanson
Speaking of lucky finds, Charles recalled how a lady once called him into her house, and tucked
away on a video cabinet were two crystal flowers that turned out to be Fabergé – almost in pieces
and shoved at the back, yet they made half a million pounds. Another time, he visited a house in
Birmingham where two grandchildren greeted him at the door holding a Chinese vase. After examining
it, he told the vendor it was worth £25,000 – only to call back later and revise that to £500,000
after discovering it was made for the imperial market. The phone line went dead, but when he
finally got through, the stunned owner simply said, “Oh, go on then.”
A Royal Moment
When asked about the highlight of his career, Charles shared something truly special. In 2022,
just a month before her passing, he was invited to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen and auction
items for charity. He auctioned the handbag used in the famous Paddington Bear sketch –
“the one with the sandwich in it” – raising significant funds for St George’s Chapel roof.
I thought, like Double O Seven, life is to thrill. At your service, Ma’am. That was the high height of my career.
Charles Hanson
Fakes, Fortunes, and Family Feuds
Not every story has a happy ending. Charles shared cautionary tales of collectors who spent
£30,000 on what they believed were valuable miniature porcelain vials, only to discover they were
reproductions worth about £30 each.
“Buy for passion,” he urged. “Don’t buy simply because you think it’s going to make money.”
He also touched on the delicate situations that arise when families divide estates.
“Brother and sister might feel hard done by in a will – if he got the ring and she got the
Chinese vials. It’s amazing what people think can be worth money, but equally remarkable what
they miss in their homes.”
The Changing Face of Antiques
In a fascinating twist, Charles revealed that next month his auction house is hosting a
Pokémon sale. “All these children, nine years old, asking
me to buy their Pokémon cards in the playgrounds,” he laughed.
“The market’s changing a lot,” he acknowledged. “We’re losing connoisseurship in our
industry. There’s no school to go to in the UK to learn about antiques, and we want to make sure
that knowledge lives on.”
But there’s hope. “Out-of-fashion antiques are green, recyclable, carbon-neutral. Things are cyclical.”
Why Objects Matter
Perhaps Charles’s most profound observation came when he reflected on what drew him to this world:
We come and go, but these objects live on. I always say, if an object can talk, what can it tell us? Before we say going, going, gone – we come and go, but these objects live on.
— Charles Hanson
It’s a beautiful reminder that antiques aren’t just about monetary value. They’re about connection,
memory, and the human stories that echo through time.
As for his catchphrase? “Maker of memories,” Charles said simply. “That’s what I do.”
What treasures might be hiding in your attic? Perhaps it’s time to take a closer look – you never
know what story might be waiting to be discovered.
Follow our series for more conversations with fascinating people from all walks of life.