A star of the antiques world will be in Harrogate next week, signing copies of his book, Romp with the Georgians.
David Harper, who has been a resident expert on the BBC’s Antiques Road Trip and Bargain Hunt, will be spending the day on Montpellier Mews, filming in Antiques on High and interviewing some of the dealers who have cabinets or space within the store.
He has previously made promotional videos at the company’s other antique centres in Oxford, Sidmouth, Taunton and Bowness-on-Windermere.
Vincent Page, director of Antiques on High, said:
“I had an idea a while ago that we should try and find someone almost like a social media influencer to help us promote the brand, and David’s unique brand of fly-on-the-wall ‘film it as it is’ style of documentary works very well for us. He has such a relaxed way about him that just about anyone will talk to him, which all makes for very real, honest videos.”
Antiques on High opened in June, after it took over Montpellier Mews Antiques Market. It rents display cabinets to antiques traders, who must commit to working in the centre for three days a month. But they may also rent an additional cabinet in any of the company’s other centres for £10 a month, plus an extra day’s work. The business will transport their stock to whichever centre it is to be sold in.
Mr Page added:
“As the centre is set to expand its stock list, a watch dealer moves in later this month and confirmed dealers taking up cabinets include a coin dealer, model car dealer and book dealer, with more to follow. The opportunity to have their stock transported to any one of the four other stores within the company, including the popular Bowness-on-Windermere store, at subsidised rates only goes to reinforce the potential for dealers.”
David Harper’s book, Romp with the Georgians, takes a lighthearted look at the Georgians, unearthing some weird and wonderful facts about the period, which started in 1714 and ended in 1837.
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Celebrity antiques expert David Harper to host new game show in Ripon
Celebrity antiques expert David Harper is joining forces with a Ripon auction house for a new antiques game show.
The show will be filmed at Elstob & Elstob‘s saleroom at Ripon Business Park and broadcast online.
Members of the public are invited to join in either as contestants or as part of the audience.
Mr Harper, who has presented programmes such as Antiques Road Trip, Flog It, Cash in the Attic and Bargain Hunt and appeared on numerous other programmes, has own YouTube channel, which will host the new show.
He will work alongside David Elstob, who opened Elstob & Elstob at Ripon three years ago.
Outside Elstob & Elstob in Ripon.
Mr Harper said:
“Much of my career to date has been spent on TV and radio but I am now keen to take the familiar game show format online, for a faster, more informal and interactive feel that will reach even wider audiences.
“I wanted to base the show within an auction house setting and as I already had an excellent working relationship with Elstob & Elstob they were an obvious choice for a media partner.
“They also have a very innovative approach to buying and selling antiques and are always looking to try new things, which is very important for an experimental project such as this.”
Two contestants will attempt to describe items brought in by the audience before antiques expert Mr Elstob awards points based on how accurate they are.
Whoever gets the most points will be invited to choose a prize from the auction house’s collection.
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- Hot Seat: the Ripon auctioneer bringing a modern edge to antiques
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The show’s first six-part series will be shot over three days at Elstob & Elstob on September 15, October 5 and October 19 from 10am to 3pm.
Anyone interested in watching can just turn up on the day at anytime between those hours. You don’t need to book.
Mr Elstob said:
“We hope to welcome as many people to the auction house as possible on the filming days.
“I am sure it will be hugely enjoyable for everyone involved. Just come along and join in the fun.”
Anyone interested in taking part as a contestant is asked to get in touch in advance with the auction house on 01765 699200 for more information or email: info@elstobandelstob.co.uk.
The first series will be screened weekly from Friday 7 October at 7pm and can be viewed here.