BBC Bargain Hunt - Mark Stacey biography

http://www.markstacey.co.uk

Bargain Hunt Expert Mark Stacey is probably one of the most flamboyant characters on the BBC Bargain Hunt antiques show. 

The slow and clear vowels in his vocal delivery and strange (but unconnected) resemblance to another great bargain hunt expert David Barby have earned him the nicknames “Son of Barby” and “Wooooster.”

Mark Stacey was born in Neath, South Wales in 1964, where he grew up with his brother and two sisters. Later he moved to London where he started to work in the care profession.

However Marks interest in antiques began with his love for history where he found he had a passion for Blue and White transfer printed ceramics.

In London mark started his own successful antiques business before his expertise was noticed landing him a position in Bonhams Hove office in 1995. From here he moved to the auction houses of Sothebys specialising in ceramics and valuations for 5 years. 

(Mark has also been the Honorary Secretary of the “Friends of Blue”. The well known Ceramics collectors club).

Mark also worked for Hamptons/Dreweatt Neate Fine Art, where as well as being a successful valuer he was head of Decorative Arts, and was later made a Director.

But what of the man himself, I hear you ask?

Mark likes:

Ceramics, Lalique glass, theatre, and 50's and 60's collectables. He also has a passion for Spain where he likes to relax and read.

On his dislikes Mark has much to say!

There are so many but here are a few, BMW drivers, motorcycle riders who speed and push past you anywhere, rude people, bureaucracy, traffic lights that can always change to red when I get there, supermarket queues, my lottery numbers not coming up! . .

And on his resemblance to David Barby!

“He was a real "Father" figure to me when I filmed my first Flog It in Ipswich and no we are not related but he is an inspiration to us all.”

With over 20 years experience and his individual humour on Bargain Hunt, Flog it, Antiques Road trip and more recently Put your Money where your Mouth is Mark Stacey is a well known and high profile TV and Radio antiques expert.

For the last 15 years Mark has provided his services as an auctioneer and adviser to many charities within the UK and overseas, raising over £500,000 in the process.


Jackson's Hallmarks: English, Scottish, Irish Silver and Gold Marks from 1300 to the Present Day - Save £1.39 (20%) £5.56 from Amazon

This handy-sized guide is the most accurate and up to date on the market. and has been the bible for for scholars, dealers and collectors, selling in hundreds of thousands.

This edition contains complete cycles of silver marks for all the important Assay Offices, with variations shown for gold, platinum, Britannia Standard, import marks, etc, and has been updated to 1991 to include current assay marks.  See on Amazon UK

BBC Bargain Hunt - Charles Hanson biography

Charles Hanson has been on BBC's Bargain Hunt for 9 years, he has also been on two series of the Antiques Road Trip and appearances on Flog it!

He was born in Derby and has a younger brother and Sister John and Caroline.

His interest in antiques began quite young, firstly with general history and later with archaeology.

Charles enjoyed visiting National Trust properties in his teens and this was when his interest in antiques began to take hold.

When he was ten he went to a local jumble sale in aid of his primary school and bought a porcelain figure for 50 pence. Charles sold it at an auction where its sale price was £180!

During his school holidays and throughout his mid teens Charles became a tour guide at Kedleston Hall a neo-classical mansion near Quarndon in Derby.

Charles Hanson then went on to gain his MRICS and began his career at Christies the London auctioneers. During this period he worked in the European Ceramics and Glass Department.

He has since worked in fine art auction houses in Cheshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire as a general valuer and gaining valuable experience in his chosen field.  He is now the Director of Hansons Auctioneers in Derby.

Charles recently got married this year to Rebecca Ludlam in Mackworth, Derbyshire.


Jackson's Hallmarks: English, Scottish, Irish Silver and Gold Marks from 1300 to the Present Day - Save £1.39 (20%) £5.56 from Amazon

This handy-sized guide is the most accurate and up to date on the market. and has been the bible for for scholars, dealers and collectors, selling in hundreds of thousands.

This edition contains complete cycles of silver marks for all the important Assay Offices, with variations shown for gold, platinum, Britannia Standard, import marks, etc, and has been updated to 1991 to include current assay marks.  See on Amazon UK