TV antiques star Michael Baggott’s remarkable book collection is going under the hammer in a special timed sale over Christmas.
The library is a treasure trove of knowledge on 500 years of silver, silversmiths and hallmarks.
Other rare volumes cover master goldsmiths, jewellery, coins, watches, glass, ceramics and furniture in depth.
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Baggott, who appeared on the BBC daytime series Flog It!, died of a heart attack following a stroke in January aged 51.
He wrote a number of books on silver and antiques and shared his knowledge on social media, as reported by What’s The Jam.
“Michael was a good a friend and a wonderfully warm man and a master of the world of silver and antiques,” said auctioneer Richard Winterton.
“It was a privilege to have known him and when sought his help was always generously given to all.
“Michael really was a font of knowledge and his library reflects that, a treasure trove of information on silver and antiques ranging from Elizabethan times to the 20th century.
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“These are the books which buoyed Michael’s incredible encyclopaedic prowess and I think he would be delighted that his personal copies will go on to inspire and inform other experts and passionate enthusiasts alike.”
Highlights include volumes one, two and three of Silver Spoons And Hallmarks by Commander George Evelyn Paget How in collaboration with Jane Penrice How, privately printed London 1957, all three volumes of British And Continental Gold And Silver In The Ashmolean Museum by Timothy Schroder, specialist works dedicated to nutmeg graters, pomanders and spice boxes, miniatures, English porcelain, the designs of William de Morgan, and Lalique nx directories of gold and silversmiths plus yearbooks, journals and catalogues.
Michael Baggott’s interest in antiques began as a boy.
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He went on to work at Christie’s and then Sotheby’s before becoming a private consultant in antique silver.
His collection of antique furniture sold earlier in December.
The current auction by Richard Winterton Auctioneers, in Lichfield, Staffs runs from December 22 until January 2.
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