Treasures of yesteryear keep antiques man

Hamish Walsh has honed his knowledge of collectibles over decades of dealing. He tells Helen Vause about the thrill of the chase – and having to prick a seller’s unrealistic dreams.

A couple of years ago, friends of Hamish Walsh decked out his beloved Ducati with flashing lights and rode it up the Devonport Yacht Club steps, right into his 60th birthday celebrations.

They figured the flamboyant antiques dealer and biker would love a bit of sparkle and drama on his big party night.

Today, he chuckles at the memories of that night, and others from his colourful life of treasure hunting, motorcycle riding and much more.

When the Flagstaff visits him at home in Calliope Rd, where he lives with extended family, Walsh is looking forward to blatting off to the South Island on the red 1973 Ducati and maybe checking out a few collectibles on the way.

Times have changed in the world of antique dealing since the days of large, fusty old shops, and dealers, ever hungry for stock, being the first to turn up at the weekend garage sales.

With decades in the business behind him, Walsh has amassed as much knowledge of this country’s precious bits and pieces as anyone.

From sideboards and chairs, to glass, brass, jewellery and oddities, such as operating-theatre lights, he’s learned a lot making a living from the extraordinary range of stuff out there in people’s homes and lock-ups.

These days, he taps into that extensive body of knowledge to write the catalogue notes for major high-end auctions.

Walsh became best known through television shows Auction House and Going, Going Gone Today, he makes house calls all over the country and still loves the thrill of the chase.

“My life is about jumping on planes, grabbing a car and driving anywhere there could be something fascinating to be found when someone opens the door to me.

“I suppose I deal with lots of widows. And older people. Inevitably I know I must disappoint some,” he says, noting that many people

Still on the lookout... Hamish Walsh is looking forward to checking out a few collectibles on an upcoming motorcycle trip to the South Island harbour false hopes for the value of things they’ve treasured.

Of course, sometimes both Walsh and the collector are delighted with his valuations. And when he knocks on someone’s door, he never quite knows who he will meet – will it be another person as interesting as the 78-year-old artist who went off to become a croupier in Macau?

After so long on the road, Walsh reputedly says he knows every place to eat and stay between Kaitaia and Bluff.

Walsh was born in Queenstown. His mother was a music teacher and his father a policeman, the latter meaning the family

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