Kilmarnock collector gets plaques valued on Flog It

Jun 26 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

A KILMARNOCK collector is looking forward to her big moment on TV after she was chosen by the Flog It! team at Saturday’s valuation day.

Rita Thomson and her bronze Barbedienne plaques made a big impression on expert James Lewis and presenter Paul Martin at the Grand Hall event.

And now Rita and husband Alan will go to auction the pre-Raphaelite items – and be filmed by the BBC – at Glasgow’s Great Western auction rooms next month.

Said a delighted Rita: “The expert said the plaques were exquisite and gorgeous and then went on to tell me all about them, but I was so excited I could hardly tell you what he said.

“The only thing I remember is that Barbedienne, who made the plaques in the 19th century, started off as a wallpaper designer.

“They reckon I could get about £300 or more for them, so fingers crossed. I paid about £160 for them about five years ago, so that would be nice.

“After filming stopped we hung about for a while and when I passed the people in the queue couldn’t contain myself and just blurted out ‘I’m going to be on the telly’!”

The Thomsons could have been even more quids in if it hadn’t been for a slight mishap on the day.

Rita explained: “We had taken along a large ceramic bear to be valued as well and as Alan was putting it back in the bag, it’s front paws fell off.

“James the expert was keen on the bear and when he saw what happened he said, ‘that was worth £400’, and I nearly burst out crying. I’m still speaking to Alan though!”

Rita, who also collects powder compacts, said: “It was a great experience, seeing behind the scenes of the programme and meeting everyone.

“I can’t wait to get to the auction to see what happens there, it’s all very exciting.”