What Was the Biggest Profit on Antiques Road Trip?

By Michael Ferguson

Antiques Road Trip is a British television show that has been on the air since 2010. The show follows antiques experts as they travel across the UK in search of valuable and interesting items to sell at auction. The series has been a hit with viewers, thanks in part to the fascinating stories behind each item and the competitive nature of the experts as they try to make the biggest profit.

One of the most exciting aspects of Antiques Road Trip is seeing just how much money the experts can make with their finds. Over the years, there have been some truly impressive profits made on the show. But what was the biggest profit ever achieved on Antiques Road Trip?

The answer is an astounding £41,104! This incredible sum was made by expert David Barby during an episode filmed in 2012.

Barby managed to find a rare Chinese vase that he purchased for just £140. He later sold it at auction for an unbelievable £41,244, making a profit of over 29,000%.

How Did Barby Manage Such a Huge Profit?

Barby’s success on Antiques Road Trip wasn’t just down to luck – he was a highly experienced antiques expert who knew how to spot valuable items. In this case, he recognised that the vase he had found was a rare example from China’s Qianlong period (1736-1795).

The vase itself was decorated with intricate floral designs and featured a seal mark from the Qianlong emperor himself. These features are what made it so valuable and helped Barby achieve such an incredible profit at auction.

Other Impressive Profits on Antiques Road Trip

While Barby’s £41,104 profit is certainly impressive, there have been other notable profits made by experts on Antiques Road Trip over the years.

One such example is when Charles Hanson managed to make a profit of £3,200 on a set of 19th-century chairs that he purchased for just £50. The chairs were in poor condition when he first found them, but Hanson recognised their potential and was able to restore them to their former glory.

Another memorable moment from the show was when Philip Serrell made a profit of £1,450 on a collection of vintage toys that he purchased for just £60. The toys included rare examples from popular brands such as Dinky and Hornby, which helped to drive up their value at auction.

The Importance of Knowing Your Stuff

These examples demonstrate just how important it is for an antiques expert to have a good eye for valuable items. It’s not enough to simply stumble upon something old – you need to be able to recognise its potential and know how to make it more valuable.

If you’re interested in antiques and want to learn more about what makes certain items valuable, there are plenty of resources available online and in books. You can also attend auctions or visit antique shops and fairs to get a better sense of what’s out there.

Conclusion

Antiques Road Trip has provided some truly exciting moments over the years as experts battle it out to make the biggest profits on their finds. While David Barby’s incredible £41,104 profit may be the largest ever achieved on the show, there have been plenty of other impressive profits made by experts who knew how to spot valuable items.

If you’re interested in antiques, it pays to do your research and develop your eye for spotting hidden treasures. Who knows – you could be the next antiques expert making headlines with your impressive profits!