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The Bly family have been dealers in Tring, Hertfordshire, since the beginning of the 19 th century. An ancient letterhead proclaimed “John Bly – Antique Dealers since the reign of William IV”. The grandfather of the present John Bly first established his own business in the centre of Tring in 1891.
The present John Bly worked for four years at Sotheby's before joining the family firm. He is resident furniture expert on BBC Television's ‘Antiques Roadshow' since it started in 1978, and has his own ITV programme ‘Heirloom'. John Bly lectures in Britain , Europe and North America and writes for a variety of specialist magazines.
He has written and edited 14 books related to antiques including ‘Discovering English Furniture', ‘Discovering Hallmarks on English Silver' ‘Is It Genuine?' and ‘Miller's Silver and Sheffield Plate Marks'. His most recent is also for Miller's and is entitled ‘John Bly's Antiques Masterclass' . In recent years John Bly has become an acclaimed and highly successful Charity Auctioneer achieving thousands of pounds -or dollars- more than expected for national and international charities with his warmth and quick wit. |
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From a background of naval seamen, pottery decorators, horse traders, fellmongers, American Civil War soldiers, priests, architects and antique dealers, John Bly's life has been as entertaining and varied as his ancestry. His in-depth knowledge, his enthusiasm and ability to draw has made him a popular and engaging speaker and raconteur.
John Bly is a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was made Chairman of the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) in July 1999. John has two sons, the fifth generation, in the business; Julian is an interior designer and consultant, and James manages John Bly Valuations and overseas operations.
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