A Derbyshire 21-year-old may have just qualified as one of the youngest auctioneers in the country.
Daniel Armstrong, from near Burton, took to the rostrum at Hansons Auctioneers last week, ably juggling online bids from around the world with offers from would-be buyers in the sale room.
He said: “I had wanted to have a go at auctioneering for a while and it was great to finally to stand on the rostrum. I absolutely loved it.”
Daniel joined the Etwall-based auction house as a trainee in 2022, aged just 18, after his passion for antiques was sparked aged eight when he inherited a silver St Christopher pendant from his great grandfather.
By the age of 13 he was trading from his own stall at antiques fairs in his native Cumbria.
Since joining Hansons he was further honed his skills, taking part in home visits and valuation days around the county, and is now a part of the silver department.
His recent discoveries include three pieces of furniture by the Regency cabinet maker George Bullock one of which, a desk, went on to sell for £38,000.
With a colleague he also discovered a silver cigarette case by the legendary Russian maker Fabergé which went on to sell for £36,000.
He said: “The thing I love about antiques business is having the opportunity to handle such amazing pieces by the most incredible makers that I will likely never see again.”
Owner of the auction house, Charles Hanson, said: “I am so proud of my young colleague, Daniel, who took his first auction at 21 years of age. The future is tomorrow, and the next generation must learn and thrive doing what they enjoy in life and making the most of the opportunities presented to them.”
Like the rest 70-strong Hansons team, in Etwall, Bishton Hall and London, Daniel can be seen on the new TV series, Secret Life of the Auction House on Thursday evenings on Quest.
Daniel, who himself collects Arts and Crafts silver, said his dream find would be a collection of early silver from 1500s or 1600s, or a piece by the renowned 19th-century silversmith Paul Storr.
