Wider popularity came with Antiques Roadshow. “I was approached by Simon Shaw, the producer, as I’d worked with him on Home Front. Initially, I said I was too busy, but agreed to do one. After that, I was totally hooked and wanted to do as many as I could.” Her last episode was screened in October 2022. In 2006 the couple opened Miller's Academy of Arts and Science in London, offering lectures and debates to feed what Miller identified as middle-class intellectual hunger caused by the dearth of intelligent programs on television.

If you’d prefer to go down the traditional route, offline sales to antique dealers are also an option. It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that if you choose this option, it’s fairly unlikely you’ll get the same asking price you’d request at an auction listing. As a general rule of thumb, after some negotiation you’ll usually get at least 25 to 50 percent of the asking price. Generally speaking, you don’t have to do any research before you start searching for antiques. However, it can be useful to gather some prior knowledge, even if it’s just a few basics. The more knowledgeable you are, the more likely you’ll feel confident talking with antique experts, and the easier it will be to identify fakes or secure a bargain. The last thing you want as a beginner is to be misled by a fake antique. The value of an antique largely comes down to its authenticity, so it’s important to make sure that the item you’re interested in isn’t just a reproduction.Another plus is that, generally speaking, antique items are very well made. Rather than being mass-produced by machines in large quantities, antique items would have been handcrafted by someone who dedicated a great deal of time and care to their project. The fact that they’re still standing intact decades later is a sign of their quality. When you’re shopping for antiques, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and look beyond eye level. For example, in antique shops, take your search into the corners and to the top shelves of cabinets – this is often where you’ll come across hidden gems. Similarly, if you’re heading to a car boot sale, flea market, or fair, then make sure that you get there early because the best bargains usually don’t hang around for long. Equity release may involve a lifetime mortgage or a home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. Antiques can also teach us a lot about fashion, craftsmanship, and can also become special keepsakes to pass down through future generations. Plus, with so much variety – from furniture and kitchenware, to jewellery, coins, and art – there’s an antique to inspire everyone’s taste. Martin Miller was a charismatic entrepreneur and bon vivant, and after co-founding the bestselling antiques price guides that bear his name (and made his fortune) went on to become a successful hotelier.

Kooker, Naomi R. (29 August 2004). "Labor of Love". The Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company . Retrieved 10 March 2010. Some auction houses specialize in rare books, and you can view their catalogs and realized prices online. Swann and PBA Galleries allow you to see their realized prices for past sales.

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It’s important to remember that handmade antiques will often have irregularities. These aren’t necessarily flaws, but instead can be signs that the item was not machine-made – and therefore more likely to be an antique.