Featured RIP Michael Baggot - Silver Expert from England

Since my last two posts were in regards to British silver and since he has been on my mind I figured I’d make an RIP post for Michael. I know some of you were familiar with him, some likely not. He was a presenter on Antiques Roadshow and Flog It on the BBC. Possibly on other BBC programs. Michael Baggot was a highly regarded expert in the world of silver, buckles, and probably other adjacent areas. Mostly British and continental silver I think, but I’m sure his expertise spread further into the silver world. I believe he worked for Sothebys for a time. He had an excellent YouTube channel where he shared his expertise with us mere silver mortals. He was one of two experts in their respective antique fields that I looked forward to watching weekly. Michael stopped posting weekly videos suddenly. I had figured something had come up and that he’d be back soon. Weeks passed and when I looked into it I heard he had suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. After a prolonged stay in the hospital he died there from a heart attack at age 51. He was a giant, plump man so I suppose it was not a total shock, despite his relative youth. Along with his expertise he was an amazingly charming fellow. Quick wit, very sarcastic and self deprecating, not afraid at making playful jabs towards the establishment. He was a guy I would have loved to sit down and have a pint with. A total wiseass was the impression I got, which I relate to. I had looked forward to years of learning from him. It’s very sad his life was cut short and that all that knowledge was lost. If you weren’t familiar with him you should check him out on the programs he was featured on. If you like learning about the nitty gritty of British silver and the occasional laugh check out his YouTube channel. Just wanted to acknowledge him here and share the content he made. He also wrote a couple books, I haven’t read them yet.

RIP

https://youtube.com/@michaelbaggott-rk1lh?si=wNb8fI9fOkOPmhlU

 

I've never seen him before, but we need more silver gurus,not fewer. RIP sir.

 

I remember him ! I adore BBC roadshow even more than the USA version .He was amazingly knowledgeable .Sorry to hear of his passing.

 

RIP

 

RIP Michael-His YouTube channel's mighty good.He was only 51,stroke,then heart attack.
Ginormous nerd-sized knowledge,but combined w/ a great sense of humor,what a combo !

 

Never heard of him but I just watched his tea caddy spoon video on YouTube and then promptly went to eBay and bought a spoon.

 

I kind of prefer the British version as well. For those that don’t know, the Pluto app on your smart tv/phone has a 24/7 British roadshow channel, and a 24/7 American roadshow channel. It used to only have the British one but expanded to the American channel in the last year or so. Sometimes I try to put it on in the background while I’m working but I end up getting very little work done. Much to entertaining.

 

He was a swell fellow for sure. I thought he was hilarious.

 

I do think we have better more specialist experts.

mind you, I do shout at Bargain Hunt rather a lot. One of their “experts” said a piece of Doulton silicon ware wasn’t made in London. Arg. And when they start on glass….

 

RIP Michael - I liked him, he knew his stuff

lol bear

me too the Brits are always so calm, even if the value is sky high

 

Agreed because it seems y'all have experts who are hired for the task and are great showmen and women. Ours has a pit fight for what volunteer appraiser found a treasure. Also... You've got pretty much all the actual antiques. It's mostly vintage stuff on ours ho hum. We don't even pay to have a host anymore!

 

It is a cultural thing, and very Northern European. To us Americans are overly enthusiastic. But that comes with a certain warmth, so not bad, just different.

 

Our AR does tend to pick experts who are serious specialists in one field. Serrell on Worcester for example, McConnell the Mad on glass, John Sandon. Phillip Mould who knows more about old masters than anyone. And the lovely Geoffrey Munn who I would never let in my house, he’d raid the Hoard. The one I adored was David Barby. And Ronnie archer Morgan is astonishing on tribal arts and slave trade related items.

 

They're not just experts, though they are amazing for that of course, but they are good orators and interesting to watch. Lots of experts enjoy their research more than public speaking and most people don't do so well in front of a camera! I find them all charming and warm. Listening to them is like having nerdy friends over to look at your latest scores.

The repeat American appraisers we do have put me in the mind of game show hosts or hype men/women. I find them exhausting sometimes. But that's all American media. Everything has to be bombastic and exciting energy!!! So it comes across fake to me.

 

The American guy who does posters wears the crazy plaid suits and does it with enthusiasm. I'm not sure I'd want to live with him, but he's fun to watch.

I used to see David Barby on old Bargain Hunts etc. He was a total goofball, but you had to love him.

 

About half the time the Brit reply is “oh, as much as that?” Your painting is worth 2 million! “oh, as much as that?” If someone ever puts a gun to your head and asks you to predict what a Brit appearing on the show will say, you’ve got about a 50/50 shot of walking away with my advice.

 

I can’t seem to find it but there is a segment where he talks about the suits. Basically for years he couldn’t get on air doing to standard appraisals. So he decided to try the gimmick of wearing zany suits, and it worked! He is an entertaining guy.

 

Is mark whalberg (sp?) not doing it anymore?

 

See! Americans (suits) gotta be loud to get on TV. I feel like the people into antiques and history are gonna prefer feeling cozy and conversationist than zany and loud lol. I still like them both I just like uk style more.

They dumped him during COVID and started using an anonymous female voice over who sounds like an announcer on a theme park ride. That fakey customer service upbeat tone and rollercoaster rhythm imo. I'm not a fan. I like hearing history about the venues but tbh I skip them many times because I just don't enjoy the narration style.

 

The female voiceover thing was a big mistake. Not a mistake: I saw the coal engines in back of Mr Lowry. My late father would have taken one look and told me whose they had been and who built them. My reflex is still to reach for a camera.