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Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Bargain Hunt star's record-breaking win on £390k rare attic item that was left for 50 years
Bargain Hunt's Charles Hanson uncovered the show's most expensive ever find in an old teapot, which had been left rotting in a loft for half a century, with its owners unaware that it was one of only three in the world. One of Bargain Hunt's best ever finds had been collecting dust in a Derbyshire attic for years before it went on to sell for a staggering £390,000 at auction. Expert Charles Hanson uncovered a Chinese teapot that had been rotting away in a loft for half a century, branding it as 'the most important object' he has ever sold. The 18th century teapot was almost thrown out in a spring clean by its owners. Luckily, the rare Chinese wine ewer was rescued in time for it to make an appearance on the BBC show - and for viewers to discover it's one of only three similar pieces internationally known. The antique had originally been inherited from World War II serviceman Ronald Wadsworth, a Burma Star medal owner. However, it was almost donated to a charity episode before the 2023 episode of the BBC show identified it as playing an important role in Chinese Emperor Qianlong's court, the Express r eports. Antique expert Charles explained on the show: 'Emperor Qianlong who was that great Emperor of the Arts, he wanted his Beijing enamelist to make the very best. And the quality is simply out of this world. "This is one of only three known, one's in a museum in Taiwan, one's in the museum of Beijing, China, and out of humble Burton-Upon-Trent, voila – unbelievably we have another. "It's probably what Faberge is to Russians and what imperial enamel is to Chinese billionaires and this to me, is a must-have object for any important Chinese connoisseur wishing to buy the best of Emperor Qianlong's treasures. 'This object for me, is in its historical placement, the most important object I've ever sold.' He continued: 'Unbeknown to the owner, it had been in his house, in his loft, for over 50 years. "His grandfather, Ronald, was in Japan in the mid-early 1940s, and it came home and it just languished." Despite its tremendous value, the teapot did not immediately stand out as valuable. Explaining why this was to his co-star Natasha Raskin-Sharp, Charles said: ' It was sleepy, it took a while to wake up. "But because we thought, this is interesting, so we booked it in at a low estimate, [thinking] it might be worth £100 to £150." He added: 'And then, as we look at the objects and we begin to research, suddenly we increase that guide to between £20,000 and £40,000. "Now we're advising the market that this important ewer is probably going to be guided at between £100,000 and £150,000. But though, we're still not at boiling point – literally!' In the end, the rare piece made an eye watering £390,000 at auction, breaking a record for the show. BBC Bargain Hunt airs on BBC One at 12:15 and 13:15 through from Mondays to Thursdays each week.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Miner's George Cross bought by council at auction
A George Cross awarded to a miner for his gallantry in rescuing a man trapped underground at a colliery has been bought by a council at auction. Charles Smith was honoured for helping save Charles Liversedge when he was buried following a roof collapse at Askern Main Colliery, near Doncaster, on 3 January 1940. The medal was bought for £12,000 by City of Doncaster Council and is now set to go on display at the city's Danum Gallery, Library and Museum later this year. Mayor Ros Jones said: "As the daughter of a miner, I am delighted that this important medal recognising a life-saving achievement at a Doncaster pit, is coming back to the city." The medal was sold by a private collector in an auction at Noonans Mayfair on 14 May. The council said the purchase was made possible through a private donation. Jones added: "This is an important part of our heritage and even more so, given these are so rarely awarded. "I hope people come and see this medal and read its story." Oliver Pepys, auctioneer and medal specialist for Noonans, said only 319 miners received the original Edward Medal in bronze between 1907 and 1971. "Smith was one of just 30 miners who had received the Edward Medal in bronze to exchange his medal for the George Cross," said Mr Pepys. "Exchanging the medal makes it a much rarer award, which attracted substantial interest." Following his Edward Medal exploits, Mr Smith entered the military and served in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, during World War Two. For his wartime services he was awarded the 1939-45 Star; the Burma Star; the Defence Medal; and the War Medal 1939-45. Following demobilisation in 1945, he returned to the coal industry and was employed at Stargate Colliery in Ryton until 1961. He later worked in the coking industry at Derwenthaugh, County Durham until his retirement in 1973. He died at Blaydon, County Durham, on 25 October, 1987. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Miner's George Cross to be sold at auction City of Doncaster Council
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Almost half of Brit population joined in VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations smashing previous records
A RECORD 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this month. Almost half the country took part in some way, by attending street parties, parades or by observing the two-minute silence. Advertisement 8 A record 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this month Credit: Getty 8 Veteran George Durrant, 100, who received the Burma Star, proudly waves his flag as he receives kisses Credit: Getty 8 RAF veterans Kathleen Lawrence, 101, and husband Roy Lawrence, 100, at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire Credit: Getty 8 The Sun's Mike Ridley interviews veteran Bernard Morgan, 100 Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun 8 Jim Bowes dances with a member of staff at Erskine Veterans Home in Bishopton, Scotland Credit: Getty It smashed the record set by the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, when 16.8million people took part. Brendan Cox, whose Together Coalition helped promote the commemoration, said: 'The historic levels of participation tell us there is a desire to connect with our shared history and to celebrate shared values together. 'At a time when our politics is more fragmented than ever, it's all the more welcome our country is still able to come together to celebrate what we have in common.' The events marked Advertisement Read More on UK News A military parade past Thousands of A service was held in VE Day was a 'jolly' moment but work went on, 100-year-old former Wren says 8 King Charles with veteran Harry Richardson, 107, during the anniversary Credit: AFP Advertisement 8 Prince George and Kate meet veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace Credit: PA 8 Veterans pose for a picture at the National Memorial Arboretum Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Almost half of Brit population joined in VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations smashing previous records
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RECORD 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this month. Almost half the country took part in some way, by attending street parties, parades or by observing the two-minute silence. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 A record 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this month Credit: Getty 8 Veteran George Durrant, 100, who received the Burma Star, proudly waves his flag as he receives kisses Credit: Getty 8 RAF veterans Kathleen Lawrence, 101, and husband Roy Lawrence, 100, at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire Credit: Getty 8 The Sun's Mike Ridley interviews veteran Bernard Morgan, 100 Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun 8 Jim Bowes dances with a member of staff at Erskine Veterans Home in Bishopton, Scotland Credit: Getty It smashed the record set by the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, when 16.8million people took part. Brendan Cox, whose Together Coalition helped promote the commemoration, said: 'The historic levels of participation tell us there is a desire to connect with our shared history and to celebrate shared values together. 'At a time when our politics is more fragmented than ever, it's all the more welcome our country is still able to come together to celebrate what we have in common.' The events marked eight decades since the end of World War Two in Europe on May 8, 1945. A military parade past Buckingham Palace was watched by the Royal Family and veterans. Thousands of street parties were also set up across Britain. A service was held in Westminster Abbey and 10,000 people joined the King and Queen at a pop concert on Horse Guards Parade. VE Day was a 'jolly' moment but work went on, 100-year-old former Wren says 8 King Charles with veteran Harry Richardson, 107, during the anniversary Credit: AFP 8 Prince George and Kate meet veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace Credit: PA
