Eric Knowles and Alan Carter are antique royalty.
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So when they stepped into Morpeth Antique Centre last week there was a buzz in the air, and the smell of a challenge.
The two iconic antique experts are on an 18-day great Australia road trip between Sydney and Toowoomba to film their TV series Clash of the Collectables, which will air in April.
With $900 each to spend they hunted around Morpeth Antique Centre’s collection searching for items that would make them a profit at auction.
And they found a few. Mr Knowles bought an amethyst coloured vase, a brass trinket tray with a golfer in the middle and a one metre ruler.
Mr Carter secured a trinket box that was carved and made out of bone, a colonial brick, a 1920’s citron depression glass bowl and a depression glass jug as well as a brass plague.
Morpeth Antique Centre dealiers Frank Piotrowicz and Wendy Birt were chuffed to watch the filming unfold, as were the rest of the staff.
“Alan Carter is the king of the antiques world in Australia,” Kylie Richards said. “Everybody knows Eric Knowles from Antiques Roadshow – it’s so exciting to have them here in Morpeth.”
The pair also stopped in at Coliseum Antiques in Mayfield on Wednesday where they scooped up a few bargains.
The dealer who makes the most money from their items at the end of the trip will win the challenge.
Mr Knowles and Mr Carter became aware of the centre through Mr Cater’s daughters who publish Antiques and Collectables for Pleasure and Profit – the only Australian antiques magazine.
The centre had some of its items featured in the magazine, which pricked Mr Cater’s interest.
Mr Carter will soon be a familiar face at Morpeth Antiques Centre. He has agreed to become one of the elite dealers at the centre.
Centre owner Trevor Richards said the exposure through the show, and the addition of Mr Carter to the team, would entice more antique collectors to Morpeth.
He said there would be plenty of positive flow-on effects for the entire region.
“This television program is proving popular throughout Australia, thus putting Morpeth and the Hunter Valley firmly in the minds of collectors around Australia,” Mr Richards said.
“It’s also helping the Hunter to lift its image to visitors who are looking for an antique experience.”