BBC TV star joins estate agency’s arty auction arm

BBC TV antiques expert Nick Hall (main picture) has joined estate agency Henry Adam’s auction arm as Director of its Chichester Saleroom.

Hall has a wealth of experience in auctions across the UK and has appeared regularly as an expert on Bargain Hunt for more than 10 years and filmed with Flog It! for nearly 20 years.

WORKING LIFE

Hall says: “I’ve been involved in auctions all my working life. I began as a porter at a Worthing auction house, holding up the items that were going under the hammer.

“I had a thirst for knowledge about each piece. I love the way that such objects capture people in different ways – their history, rarity, value, or simply that people may just like the way something looks or the way it makes them feel.”

As a generalist, Hall assesses all types of items for their likely value at auction, whether they date from Cromwell or Conran.

His flair for auctioneering brought him to the attention of BBC’s Flog It! in 2005 when he was asked to be a guest host. This led to regular appearances and, later, to him joining the panel of experts for Bargain Hunt.

 He adds: “There’s great camaraderie with the BBC TV team, both onscreen and with the camera, lighting, and sound crews. They’re a really interesting bunch of people who I’ve got to know over the years. It’s almost like going to a big family get-together.”

UNDER THE HAMMER

Hall’s first auction at Henry Adams will be held today when he takes to the rostrum on  where more than 650 items lots will be going under the hammer.

Ian Wiggett, Chief Executive of Henry Adams, says: “We’re delighted to welcome Nick to the Henry Adams team.

“Our Saleroom has always been an integral part of the business since it was set up more than 30 years ago, so it’s great to have someone of Nick’s calibre leading our first-class team to drive it forward.

“We have every confidence it will be an even greater success.”