Wednesday 3 October
Vinyl records, old games consoles and childhood toys among the most valuable items tossed out, new research reveals
Industry expert tips David Bowie autographs, 70s skateboards and Olympic stars Usain Bolt and Mo Farah memorabilia as the collectibles to keep hold of
Survey commissioned by UKTVs Drama channel to celebrate TVs ultimate antiques and collectibles hunter Lovejoy, which is on every weekday, 5pm on Drama
Frustrated Brits estimate they have thrown out an average of £2,118 worth of possessions now considered valuable collectibles, with one in ten (11%) admitting they have discarded more than £5,000 worth of items - including vinyl records, old games consoles and childhood toys.
A new study to celebrate classic TV series Lovejoy - the ultimate antiques and collectables wheeler-dealer - reveals that Brits believe the single most expensive item binned could now be worth an average of £1,065.
Many simply failed to judge the potential value of a possession, with 32% saying they didnt realise their items would ever become valuable antiques. And incredibly, eight percent of Brits say their partner threw away a collectible without telling them - with one in ten men saying their girlfriend or wife was to blame.
The research was conducted by the UKTVs Drama channel to celebrate Lovejoy, the iconic series starring Ian McShane as the roguish antique dealer, which is on every weekday at 5pm.
Charlie Barnett, an antiques and collectibles expert, said:
Before Lovejoy it was a very highbrow subject, but the series changed all that, appealing to the opportunism in everyone, and bringing antiques and collectables into millions of ordinary peoples homes.
Charlie, who works at both Portwine Galleries in Londons famous Portobello Market and Minster House Antique Centre, in Leominster, Herefordshire, added: Everyone likes to collect something, and everyone has an inner child. The UKTV research reveals that millions of Brits regret throwing away things which are now highly collectible - and when looking for things likely to increase in value, you should always consider what the current 60-plus generation were into when they were growing up, because they have the money to buy it back now.
The Autograph market is currently growing in popularity, and someone like David Bowies autograph will surely rocket in value over the next 20 years. Other items Id be interested in right now include original 70s skateboards, while I can see Olympic heroes like Mo Farah and Usain Bolt, and anything to do with them, increasing in value over the next couple of decades.
The most valuable item Brits have thrown out depends on age. For those over 65 years old, it is a train set (10%) compared to a classic football (13%) shirt for those aged 18-24. Action figures such as Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Action Man (16%) were the highest value collectibles that 18-44 years olds have thrown out as opposed to vinyl records (25%) for 45-65 year olds.
One in ten (ten percent) confess they wish they hadnt got rid of their old uniforms - while a quarter (27%) of 18 to 24-year olds admit they wish they could once again cuddle up to their childhood teddy bear.
In addition, the average Brit says they have one item of NO real monetary value, such as a bottle cork from a special occasion, which holds such significance that it would take an offer of £388 before they would consider parting with it.
Women say they would demand the highest price, needing £447 on average compared to men who will settle for £324. However, it is the reverse when it comes to pricing up the collectibles we do own now. One in ten Brits (eight percent) even say they own collectibles worth a total of more than £5,000.
Emma Ayech, channel director for Drama, said:
Since he first appeared on our screens more than 30 years ago, Lovejoy has inspired a love of antiques.
The series still encourages people today to search for collectibles in their own homes and think carefully about which of our treasures to keep and which to throw away. We all become nostalgic for the things we loved as children so its no surprise that train sets and games consoles are the most valuable antiques.
Lovejoy is on every weekday at 5pm on Drama.
__
More press info: Howard Bowden, Generation, 07720 839 852.
Photos available.
Research commissioned by TV channel Drama/conducted by Mortar www.mortarlondon.com: 2,000 British adults surveyed, September 2018.
About Lovejoy The series concerns the adventures of the eponymous Lovejoy, played by Ian McShane, a roguish antiques dealer based in East Anglia. Within the trade, he has a reputation as a divvy, a person with almost unnatural powers of recognising exceptional items as well as distinguishing genuine antiques from fakes or forgeries. He is an irresistible rogue and part-time detective who scours the murky salerooms, auction halls and stately homes of Britain on the lookout for a find.
Lovejoy is on every weekday at 5pm on Drama.
About Drama
Freeview 20, Sky 158, Virgin 128, BT, TalkTalk 020 and on demand via UKTV Play
Drama is a channel that is passionate about bringing Britain the best in quality drama. From period through to contemporary and comedy, the channel is a treasure trove of classic and modern drama which showcases the greatest stories ever told. With programmes including favourites Call the Midwife, Pride and Prejudice, New Tricks and Silent Witness, and new offerings such as The White Princess, The Red Tent, The Brokenwood Mysteries and Mercy Street, viewers can indulge in a handpicked range of the nations most celebrated TV dramas.
drama.uktv.co.uk | @dramachannel
About UKTV
UKTV is a commercial broadcaster reaching over 40m viewers every month. The award-winning independent has eleven imaginative brands - UKTV Play, Dave, W, Gold, Alibi, Yesterd
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Wednesday 3 October 
