The idea for this blog was a Eureka! moment for us. Night after night, week after week, we’ve been binge-watching old episodes of Antiques Roadshow UK. As history buffs (particularly British and militaria), we’re intrigued by the story behind many of the items’ previous owners and/or makers. Add to that a passion for genealogy, and you have three people who need 2+ hours to watch a one-hour show. “What was the name on that medal?” “What’s the date and name on that jug?” “That doesn’t sound right.” “Did he/she just say that the artist must be an amateur creating a one-off piece just because their name isn’t on the dealers’ preferred list?” On and on we go. Night after night. Until we just have to go to bed and leave it for another day.
Seems a shame to close those tabs down, though, without having a place to share our discoveries. This blog is the answer to our frustration. Now, we can share what we uncover about the people who owned or made all the little treasures we ooh and ah over. And the world will be a better place, since you can’t help but realize that “they were just people like you and me”. People have always been the same; they just change their clothes and hairstyles.
What a fabulous concept for a show. And the BBC has really gathered an amazingly fabulous cross-section of Specialists, who all seem more interested in the story or evocative nature of each item than the value. We hope you’ll enjoy “digging deeper” with us. Maybe you’ll even start digging on your own.